Ryan Camp to Widow Mine

We had a few things planned when we awoke this morning, and they all happened to be close to the south end of Death Valley National Park. Both of us had agreed to have a nice easy day and not do any real hikes just a few leisurely strolls. We had no idea what was in store – the track from Ryan Camp to Widow Mine.

Zabriskie Point

We headed south on Highway 190 and made a quick stop into Zabriskie Point for some photos. The short paved walk to the top was easy and offered amazing views.

Several trails lead down into the canyon, and you could explore for hours. Maybe another day for us, we had other things planned – and remember. No long hikes today!

20 Mule Team Canyon Road

Afterwards, we made another small detour along the one-way road of 20 Mule Team Canyon. It is only 2.5-miles taking you through a beautiful canyon, where you can stop and hike the buttes. This area was another Star Wars location.

I’m not sure if the famous Borax 20 mule team did use this old trail, I was unable to find any information appertaining to it.

Twenty Mule Team Canyon – a one-way road

Keep A Look Out

A vehicle did come hurtling towards us – the wrong way – and some evasive driving manoeuvres were made!

Making it through unscathed, we continued our journey on H190, turning right onto Furnace Creek Wash Road.

Passing a large mining operation on the side of the road, we carried on to Dante’s View. Keeping our eyes peeled, we spotted a few interesting structures in the hills—something to examine more closely on our return.

This mining operation is a part of Ryan Camp

Dante’s View

Turning onto Dante’s View Road, we followed it to the end. It is steep, narrow with several switchbacks. Not suitable for RVs or trailers. There were several pullouts for people to unhitch if they wanted to proceed.

Wow, what a view. Dante’s View is 5,475 ft, and you can see for miles. We could make out people walking across Badwater, like a row of ants.

View of Badwater Basin from one of the mountains. zoomed in picture of people walking across the salt flats looking like ants — Badwater Basin. Photo taken from the top of Dante’s View using a zoom

On The Way Back

Through the binoculars, we both saw some old mines, equipment, and what appeared to be a trail winding its way along the mountain. We carried on a little further along Furnace Creek Wash Road and found what looked like a decent spot to climb up and get a better look. Boy, are we glad we did!

As previously mentioned, we were going to take it easy today and not do any mammoth hiking. That went right out the window!

We filled both backpacks with water and food, locked Mini and headed across the road, through a wash, and up the gently sloping hillside.

Lady in long jeans, t-shirt and baseball cap with a back pack hiking away from the camera across a large wash towards rugged rocky hills — Somewhere out there is an abandoned mining railroad. There is no trail. And off we go on another adventure

Off On Another Adventure

The spot we chose to walk up looked like it could have been a road at some point. The rocks were highly visible, in a straight line and completely different from everything else around.

Large rocks and boulders which appear to be the remains of a road leading up a mountain at a steep ascent. Man in cowboy hat, jeans and t-shirt with a back pack is walking up the "road" away from the camera — It appears to be a road which has been demolished

Higher and higher we climbed almost to the top. We started to get more excited and turned back to see how far we had come. You can barely see Mini in the background. The gentle slope misleads you into thinking you’re not gaining much elevation.

View from top of demolished road looking down to the large wash. The paved road is barely visible and a mountain range is in the horizon — Our car is down there waiting for us to return

We crested the top and hidden from view we stepped onto abandoned railroad tracks! You can imagine how excited we were to find these! Next came the decision, should we go right or left? Left was towards Ryan Camp, and it wasn’t far.

Left To Ryan Camp

Abandoned mining rail tracks on top of the mountain veering around a slight bend. In the far distance mountains are visible from Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — The forgotten, abandoned mining railway tracks

The views were stunning and coming across the old bridges made this walk incredible.

The rail tracks go off into the distance along the side of the mountain. A wooden bridge crossing a ravine is visible — One of the many bridges that we will be crossing on this adventure

View of the wooden rail bridge crossing the ravine — View of the wooden bridge from the ravine. It was too dangerous to cross on foot

Rotten wood of the rail track with the metal lines going across — Some of the wood is rotten

Another wooden rail bridge crossing a ravine. Too dilapidated to cross on foot to Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — This bridge was too frail to walk across so we went the long way round

We could see in the distance, buildings and some more mining operations at the camp. Stopping to enjoy the view, I happened to look down and immediately began to scream bloody murder.

Still the rail tracks hugging the mountain. Three buildings far off in the distance painted white, they are a part of Ryan Camp — Ryan Camp in the distance

A Horrifying Sight

Tarantula! Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike spiders? Especially ones the size of my hand that could eat my face off!

Andrea thought this was hysterical and took some photos, telling me it wouldn’t hurt me! After closer inspection, she said it was dead. I think he was playing dead and waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on me!

Dead tarantula spider on the ground next to the metal rail way — Tarantula spider. He’s actually dead, but Steve still wouldn’t go near it!

Ryan Camp is a borax mine built in 1914. After most of the miners moved away, in 1927, Ryan became “Death Valley View Hotel.” It is still a working mine and offers tours once a year. You have to book way in advance.

Train tacks sliding off the mountain from a flash flood. the mining camp is in the distance and large tailing piles are visible — Derailment!

A zoomed in photo of three white buildings situated in the mining camp of Ryan deep in the mountains of Death Valley — Zoomed in photo of Ryan Camp

Once we reached the sign for Ryan Camp, we took a few selfies. This was the end of the line as Ryan is private property.

Women on left wearing baseball cap and sunglasses, Man in cowboy hat on right of the Ryan Camp sign. Located on an abandoned mining railroad track within the mountains of Death Valley — This is the end of the road. Ryan Camp is on private property, so it’s time to turn back and explore Widow Mine

We returned the way we came running like the wind past the tarantula. It wasn’t long before we arrived at the first landing spot and looked forward to more discoveries.

The Landing Spot – From Ryan Camp to Widow Mine

Abandoned mining railway track on the side of a mountain.Huge piles of tailings can be seen in the distance — And now for the track on the right.

We came across severely washed out sections of the railroad and hillside, a closed-off mine, and what looked to be an explosives storage room.

Washed out old rail track. The flash flood has washed most of the soil is gone leaving the tracks suspended across the ravine — Washed out old track

Circular concrete tunnel which has large metal gate across preventing access into the mine — One of the gated mines

Door into what we think could have been a store room for explosives. The room has been dug into the mountainside — Door into what we think could have been a storeroom for explosives

Dug out room inside the mountain. Stone and mud walls, dirt ground, timber post support for ceiling at Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — Behind the door. We didn’t go inside, just took pictures from the doorway.

Here we stopped in some shade and had lunch.

We had intended to climb up and check out the large train car and another mine. After eating, though, we became so engrossed in our conversation that we just kept walking along the railway.

It was already well past midday, and we had no idea where this railroad went. The tracks disappeared around the next bend, enticing us to follow.

The abandoned mining rail line has been cut into the mountain and veers around a bend — The railway has been cut into the mountain

Lady walking away from the camera along the abandoned mining railway in the mountains — There have been several minor landslides

After rounding yet another bend, the single track we had been following, split into three levels.

We decided to continue on the top rail and return on the middle track. The third, lower rail, didn’t appear to go anywhere.

The abandoned mountain railway is now on three levels with the tracks leading away from the camera at Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — One line becomes three

The second rail had a dilapidated bridge crossing the ravine, which at one time fed straight into an old mine.

Zoomed in photo of a dilapidated rail bridge crossing a ravine in the mining area — Middle line the bridge was out – I’m glad we chose to stay on the top one

A Small Memorial

Just above the bridge, there was a small cross. Zooming in, it had beads, and other memorabilia draped across it. We couldn’t imagine that it was a grave, maybe a remembrance plaque. Unfortunately, it was too dangerous for us to take a closer look.

White wooden cross stuck into some rocks on a cliff side near an abandoned mining railway from Ryan Camp to Widow Mine. Beads and other remnants have been places around it. — We zoomed in to this cross. Not sure what it symbolises

The Quest Continues

The rail split again, feeding another set of mines – this we had seen from the road.

We were so desperate to explore them but knew we didn’t have enough time today. Our mission was to find the end of the line.

The sun was getting lower in the sky, and clouds were forming on the horizon. It was an enjoyable day, and the walk wasn’t strenuous. Our only concern was how far was the end, and would we reach it before the light faded.

Square wooden frame on top of mountain where the mines are. Far off in the distance a road is visible with another mountain range behind — Not sure what this is!

We kept telling each other that the line would finish just around the next corner, and then the next, and the next!.

Widow Mine

This went on and on until finally the second railway trail rejoined the top and curved around into a canyon.

We have found Widow Mine and the end of the rail.

Dozens of mines litter the mountainside. The old rail line disappears. — Dozens of mines litter the mountainside making it look like Swiss cheese

It was time for a quick rest and mooch around before heading back.

There are remnants of what was a massive operation; it looks like some flash flooding has wreaked havoc on the area.

Large mining area with collapsed buildings, and remnants of mining materials scattered on the ground and on the mountainside — The end of the line

Widow Mine is another borax mine and is massive. Opening in 1915, it was a part of Ryan. The Baby Guage rail tracks run the full length, approximately four miles, and were completed in 1918. It ceased to run in the 1950s.

We only stayed for about 15 minutes but could have stayed a lot longer. There was one more stop on the way back we wanted to make before dark.

Where Does The Second Track Lead?

The second rail no longer existed on this portion and it was quite rocky and slick in some spots. We chose this way to go back to see the other massive mining operation.

Large rocks and rubble on a hillside which was once a mining railway — The second track we took back

Metal box with "restricted area, danger" written on it. box in on the ground near the mine shafts of Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — Restricted Area – Danger

There were four sizeable openings in the mountainside and debris was everywhere. When we got a closer look inside, we could see how unstable everything looked. To us, it resembles the cave dwellings at Dublin Gulch.

Four mine entrances entering mountainside horizontally. There is an gravel trail leading to the entrances. — There are four mine shafts along here

Wooden door with the words Danger written above it. Leading into the mines in the rock face. The lady in the baseball cap is standing at the door looking into the mine at Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — Mines are DANGEROUS. I didn’t enter, just popped my head in to take some photos. Never enter mines. STAY OUT – STAY ALIVE

Wooden planks had collapsed and now littered the floor of the shafts. Not taking any risks we snapped some pics from the entryways and called this little excursion completed.

Wooden structures supporting the walls and ceiling inside the mine — Wooden structures supporting the walls and ceiling

Inside one of the mine shafts. Open area with wooden post supporting the ceiling. Another entrance into the mine is visible. — Inside one of the mine shafts

The Scramble Down

The only thing left to do now was to make our way back to Mini and then to our camp. For this, we thought it easiest to scamper down the wash directly below us rather than the way we originally came.

This was to save time as there was maybe only an hour of daylight left. Plus the cloud cover had already swallowed the sun.

Cautiously making our way down this rocky wash was relatively straightforward and uneventful and took us about twenty minutes.

Man in cowboy hat is making his way down a rocky steep decent towards a road far in the distance. Another mountain range is in the horizon of Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — And now for our decent. We decided to walk down the steep ravine to the road rather than walking all the way back along the rail tracks You can just make out the road in the distance.

One Surprise Left

Upon reaching the original wash that runs alongside Furnace Creek Wash Road, we noticed the No Trespassing Sign.

Rocky landscape with mountains in the background and remains of mining tailings. There is a No Trespassing sign positioned in the rocks of Ryan Camp to Widow Mine — We are always respectful of private property, but sometimes, even we get it wrong

There were no other signs up above or on the railroad tracks stating this or we would not have gone in. We always do our best to be respectful and abide by the rules. On this occasion; we made a mistake. We know now not to enter that mining area and will not do so in the future unless it becomes open to the public.

Our Takeaway on Ryan Camp to Widow Mine

If you like trains, train tracks, mines, mountains, walks or just being in nature, then you will thoroughly enjoy the hike from Ryan Camp to Widow Mine. In our opinion, it was worth every second. The thrill of walking along history that most people drive right past without realising keeps your feet moving.

Finding treasures like this motivates us, and keeps us going out to obscure locations. You never know what is out there, so why not go and find out.