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Location DB > United States > California > Death Valley > Skidoo Mining Area  Name Skidoo Mining Area  Viewing Options Log in to activate viewing options  Database Info created by rapcw on 4/13/2006 9:40 PM last modified by fr00tCake on 1/23/2023 9:00 PM  Viewability Publically Viewable This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.  Overview  Description A mining area with a large mill, ore bins, and many mines.  Basic Information Type: Mining Area Status: Abandoned Accessibility: Moderate Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby  Physical Information Address Death Valley, California United States Owner: National Parks Service See a map of this location  Hazards rust unsafe flooring Mine hazards  Interesting Features The large quartz mill, the various mining operations in the area, ore bins, old cars, cabins etc.  Security Measures Difficult road to the mines, signs posted at mill  Historical Dates Built: 1906 Closed: 196  Required Equipment flashlight gloves head protection long pants / sleeves High Clearance Vehicle  Recommended Equipment Camera, Water  History Skidoo was one of the most famous and colorful mining towns in the history of Death Valley. It was started by a major gold discovery in January 1906 made by two prospectors, John L. Ramsey and John A. Thompson. Legend has it that while on their way to Harrisburg to try their luck at the gold there, they got lost in a rare Death Valley fog. They camped in Emigrant Canyon, and there they found a giant lode of gold in the hills to the east. They attracted the attention of a successful mining promoter, who bought their claims and formed the Skidoo Mines Company. A road was soon built to the mining sight, and a 23 mile long pipeline was created to pump water in from Birch Spring. Over the next few months hundreds of prospectors came to the sight, and soon most of the surrounding ground was claimed. A new town was soon formed, named "23 Skidoo," shortened to Skidoo. It was a popular phrase which meant "beat it." At its height it had a population of 500, and over 100 businesses and residences. It soon grew to be the largest community in the Panamints. It contained a school, a telephone line, a paper, and a coach service to Rhyolite. With the pipeline, the 10-stamp Skidoo Mill became the only milling plant in the desert region to be operated almost entirely by water power. Gold production began in 1908, and was hauled directly to the mine by burros pulling ore carts. Skidoo was one of the few mines in the region that produced significant amounts of gold, second in California only to the Keane Wonder Mine located nearby. Despite setbacks, Skidoo kept pumping out gold at a profit for years while other mines tanked. Skidoo continued to be profitable until late 1917, when most of the main ore bodies either played out or became to difficult to mine at a profit. The area still witnessed sporadic activity for many more years, especially in 1934 after the price of gold went up, but the good days were over. Sporadic activity continued into the 1960s but never on a large scale.  Media Coverage  Future Plans The parks service was attempting to renovate the mill, but it seems as though lack of funding or apathy has prevented that from being acomplished. They are trying to renovate a smaller vertical shaft nearby as well.  Stories Add your own story  Photo Galleries 23 Skidoo Sat, Apr 8th, 2006 posted by rapcw 37 pictures   Add your own photos Mark all galleries as Seen  Web Links  Contribute Edit this Location  Moderator Rating The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location. This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.  Validation This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 1/25/2023 4:16 AM.  Latest Changes on Jan 25 23 at 4:16, Emperor Wang validated this location on Jan 23 23 at 21:00, fr00tCake changed the following: Latitude, Longitude, Co-ordinate Accuracy, Prefer Satellite on Dec 27 06 at 3:51, Emperor Wang validated this location on Dec 27 06 at 3:41, rapcw changed the following: Latitude, Longitude on Dec 27 06 at 2:55, rapcw changed the following: Latitude, Longitude, Co-ordinate Accuracy on Apr 15 06 at 23:30, Emperor Wang validated this location on Apr 14 06 at 0:04, rapcw made this location available on Apr 13 06 at 23:48, rapcw updated gallery 23 Skidoo on Apr 13 06 at 23:48, rapcw updated gallery picture death-valley 031.jpg on Apr 13 06 at 23:47, rapcw updated gallery picture death-valley 035.jpg  Forum Threads about this Location  Who's been looking? Click here to see who'se been looking.  Report Problems Is this location inappropriate / broken / missing key info? 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