Consolidated Mine
Day Hike
Mammoth Lakes
The Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine began operations in 1877. The site was mined off and on until 1933 when it closed permanently. Today visitors can wander among early 20th century buildings, some in remarkedly good condition, others partially collapsed. Particularly fascinating are the pieces of machinery scattered about the site and the entrances to mine tunnels. The hike is only a few hundred yards to the main collection of buildings, but longer for those who roam afar to seek out all the sites.
Compressor Plant
Mammoth Consolidated Mine Trailhead
Easy
1 mile
50 feet
Mammoth
The Mammoth Consolidated Mine trailhead is found by driving up through Coldwater Campground at the south end of Lake Mary. Good facilities are available at the trailhead, including restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, and parking. The Mine Trailhead is shared with the Heart Lake trail.
Mammoth Consolidated Mine Trail
The trail departs from the day-use parking lot at the southern end of Coldwater Campground. An easy stroll leads across a bridge to an information kiosk and then on to the collection of buildings. Multiple trails wind among the sites. Visitors are asked to remain on the trails. Among the buildings are the mine superintendent's residence, worker bunkhouses, and Arch Mahan's log home.
Arch Mahan Cabin
Machinery at the site includes a diesel-powered ore-processing mill and an air compressor plant which provided fresh air to the mines.
Upper Tunnel Entrance (no access)
Trails lead to the upper and lower mine adits, or entrances. Both are blocked by steel bars, but visitors can easily peer through the bars into horizontal tunnels. The lower adit led 729 feet into Red Mountain. A vertical shaft connects the two tunnels. Ore from the upper tunnel was dumped through the shaft to the lower tunnel.
Things to Know
- Please do not disturb any artifacts you may see. They are protected by law.
- Leashed pets are permitted on the trail.
- Within the mine area please stay on the trails.
- Pick up a brochure with details about the mine at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center.
Compressor Plant
Nearby Sierra Day Hikes
- Heart Lake - a 1-mile hike leads to this beautiful lake with views of the Mammoth Crest.
- Emerald Lake - an easy hike to a pretty lake
- TJ Lake - short hike to scenic lake
- Skelton Lake - make the 3.6-mile round trip to this scenic mountain lake.
Ore Processing Plant
Other Nearby Trails
The Duck Lake Trail continues beyond Skelton Lake, first passing Barney Lake and then climbing to a saddle that overlooks mile-long Duck Lake. For hikers headed out for overnight trips, beyond Duck Lake the trail follows down the Duck Lake drainage and connects to the John Muir Trail.
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