Lehman Mill

The trail to Lehman Mill is a tough technical two-track that is steep, rocky, rutted, and off-camber in places, with brush crowding the sides. The trail has many twists and turns and climbs steep hills from 3,300 feet to over 4,500 feet. A high-clearance, well equipped 4x4 is required. Jeeps are fine, as long as you’re not worried about pinstripes, but full-size vehicles are not recommended due to the narrow track shelf road. The trail sees almost no traffic, and demands careful tire placement the whole way. Please don’t go alone.

When you reach the windmill and small corral at Copperopolis Creek, you’ll find a trail that goes south toward the remains of the 1930s Lehman Mill. It was built by Gus Lehman and Charles Champie, to process copper and gold ore from nearby claims. A large boiler still sits in its concrete pad, along with circular cisterns, scattered machinery, foundations, and a surprisingly intact wooden headframe/ore chute. The mill structure itself is mostly collapsed, but enough remains to clearly show the layout of this short-lived operation. The trail is even more narrow and overgrown, so hiking the 0.2 miles is recommended.

This trail is a rewarding destination for those willing to earn it. It is quiet, rarely visited, and a solid piece of Castle Creek Mining District history. Bring recovery gear, extra water, and leave the site as you found it. The corral provides room for camping, and includes an old fire ring.