Where is Reward Mine located?
Usa, north-america
N/A
152 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Inyo County, California, smack-dab in the eastern desert, with the Inyo Mountains looming and Mount Whitney keeping watch. You're heading to the Reward Mine – or the Brown Monster Mine, if you're feeling dramatic. This place is a trip!
It's an abandoned mining camp with a history going back to the late 1800s, not far from the Manzanar Historical Monument. This place was a gold and lead ore hotspot, mined until the 70s.
Now, the mine itself? It’s HUGE – eight levels connected and stretching over 500 feet! The craziest part? The main tunnel is so big you could drive a truck through it! And you can drive a ways inside – we’re talking a quarter mile! Once inside, the trail is soft dirt.
But listen up: driving into this mine is not without risk! It's riddled with signs of collapse, and being near an active earthquake zone means a cave-in could happen at any time.
Getting to the mine isn't a walk in the park either. The road is rocky, steep, and littered with boulders. You'll need a 4WD beast with good ground clearance and off-road tires to make it. Also, be sure you are not alone. It can be difficult to find, there are no signs, and you must drive uphill on a gravel road. Once you arrive, park and explore the depths by foot! It’s an awesome adventure, but be smart and stay safe out there!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 152 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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