"Airing down" the tires before heading out to three mines in the Tecopa, CA mining region. The white peak in the background is Telescope Peak, the highest point in the Panamint Mtns. at 11,049ft. This range is on the westernmost side of Death Valley.
Still "airing down" with the Gunsight Mine in the distance.
Still "airing down" with the Gunsight Mine in the distance.
Jim, Jerry and Vic - who will go in first? 
One of the bunkers where the ore was held.
What is left of equipment at the Columbia Mine.
One of the bunkers where the ore was held. What is left of equipment at the Columbia Mine.
Noonday Mine
The holes shown in this photo let in the light for the hole in the next photo.
The third mine for the day and the most amazing to all of us. Daylight can be seen looking down into this part of the mine. There were many openings on the hillside and one above provided the light.
While not entirely comfy on this narrow trail, I was more afraid I'd miss something. It was well worth the climb!
This is the tramway below a large bunker. Ore cars were pulled up by cable for loading.
This is the tramway below a large bunker. Ore cars were pulled up by cable for loading.
Our last stop of the day is at China Ranch, one of our favorite places. Date palms of many varieties are grown and dates, date shakes (mnnn), date breads and cookies are sold. A year ago they added a nice gift shop. China Ranch is in a mind-boggling canyon and the drive has to be experienced. For all the many times that we have been there we still find the last 1-2 miles to be an awesome experience.
Other times we have hiked one of their breathtaking trails but we were too late in the day this time.
Here are a few of the cacti that they grow and sell.
Each cluster of dates wears a skirt to protect the individual dates from the birds. They look so neat blowing in the breeze.
