Page 1 The Tale Mining History |
Page 2 Geology of the Area Prospecting Potential |
Page 3 Topographic Maps and Other Imagery |
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4 |
The Last Chance Range stretches for nearly 40 miles along the eastern border of California, in the upper portion of Death Valley country. The range is bounded on the east by Death Valley itself and on the west by Eureka Valley, which narrows to the south as the nearby Saline Range closes in from the west. Immediately west of the small Saline Range lies the beautiful Inyo mountain chain. Over 80 miles long, the Inyo Mountains form the eastern boundary of the famous Owens Valley. The range trends roughly north-south and for the prospector traveling west from the Last Chance Range, it is the last obstacle before one enters the Owens Valley. From the southern slopes of the Last Chance Range, the Inyo Mountains rise up 10 miles to the west, on the other side of the Saline Valley. The southern portion of the Last Chance Range merges with the Panamint Range, which marches away to the south.
The Last Chance Range is extremely rugged and nearly waterless. It is dangerous country to prospect in. But the rewards may outweigh the hazards. It seems that the southern portion of the range may harbor one of the richest veins of gold-bearing ore in all of southern California.
The rugged mountains just south of the Last Chance Range are home to a small mineralized zone known as the Ubehebe District. Centered on the linear chain of mountains separating Racetrack Valley from Saline Valley, the Ubehebe District was primarily a base-metal operation. Some silver was produced mainly as a by-product.
Grapevine Canyon cuts through the rugged mountains south of Ubehebe Peak. Home of Scotty's Castle, the canyon separates the northwest-southeast trending Nelson Range from the Ubehebe "chain" mentioned above. The canyon has yielded miniscule amounts of gold.