Saratoga Springs and Mines in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hike Saratoga Springs and Mines Death Valley National Park, CA

Class 1 3.7 miles 400 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Dec 11, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Saratoga Springs and Mines GPX Track

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Saratoga Springs is a surprisingly lush area in a remote area of southern Death Valley National Park. It's not often visited, but has good dirt access roads and an official trailhead complete with information signs describing the area. I headed along the trail (which is just an old mining road) past the beautiful wetlands and continued north to a couple of mining ruins collectively known as the Saratoga Mine. I labeled them Saratoga Mine 1 and Saratoga Mine 2. Both are interesting, but the farther one was much larger and had cool views into Death Valley. I also continued farther north to look for more old mines, but I'd say the best stuff is what I've marked on my attached map.

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Saratoga Spring trailhead.
Saratoga Spring trailhead.
Nice viewpoint of the wetlands. The road/trail continues along the base of the mountains.
Nice viewpoint of the wetlands. The road/trail continues along the base of the mountains.
Close-up toward the wetlands, Death Valley in the distance.
Close-up toward the wetlands, Death Valley in the distance.
Continuing along the road.
Continuing along the road.
View toward the wetlands.
View toward the wetlands.
Saratoga Mine 1.
Saratoga Mine 1.
Mine shaft.
Mine shaft.
Mine 1.
Mine 1.
Back along the mining road.
Back along the mining road.
There were some more remains of human activity to the north, but there was only a wooden stake so I left it off my map.
There were some more remains of human activity to the north, but there was only a wooden stake so I left it off my map.
View back the way I came before heading to Saratoga Mine 1.
View back the way I came before heading to Saratoga Mine 1.
Saratoga Mine.
Saratoga Mine.
Open mine shaft.
Open mine shaft.
Saratoga Mine 1.
Saratoga Mine 1.
Mine in the mountainside.
Mine in the mountainside.
Death Valley in the distance.
Death Valley in the distance.
Image 16 from gallery
Image 17 from gallery
Saratoga Spring wetlands on my way back.
Saratoga Spring wetlands on my way back.
Image 19 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!