Pleasant Canyon

Total Miles
10.0

Elevation

1,953.79 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

4

Moderate

Best Time

Fall, Winter, Spring

Trail Overview

Photos of Pleasant Canyon

Pleasant Canyon
Pleasant Canyon

Difficulty

Moderate: High shelf road has several steep, narrow sections. Okay for stock vehicles, but high clearance, 4WD and low-range gears are necessary. Optional route has extremely tight and scratchy brush.

History

In 1897, over 200 men worked the Ratcliff Mine and lived at Clair Camp (later named). The mine shut down in 1905 after producing a half million dollars in gold. In 1930, W.D. Clair bought the mine and was able to extract another $60,000. Source: Secret Places in the Mojave Desert, Vol. II, by Jim Mattern.

Technical Rating

4

Access Description

From Trona: Take Hwy. 178 north about 22 miles and turn right on Ballarat Road. Head east 3.6 miles to the ghost town of Ballarat. From intersection of Highway 190 and Panamint Valley Road: Drive 14 miles south on Panamint Valley Road. Turn right on Trona Wildhorse Road and drive another 9.5 miles. Turn left on Ballarat Road and head east 3.6 miles to the ghost town of Ballarat.

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