Old Woman Meteorite Road

Old Woman Meteorite Road is a mine road to access the Black Metal Gold Mine, but it got a lot of use when a meteorite was discovered there. In 1975, two miners discovered a large, unusually shaped rock tucked against the rocks and instantly recognized it as a meteorite. A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter hauled it away a few years later, where it was found to be the 2nd largest meteorite found in the United States, weighing 6,070 pounds. Replicas of the meteorite are currently on display at the BLM Needles Field Office, and the original is on display at the California Desert Information Center in Barstow, California.

This sandy, two-track, seven-mile-long trail moves over a flat desert basin over numerous washes. At a boulder jumble, a quick right turn suddenly reveals a beautiful valley. A short distance further, the trail reaches the Black Metal Gold Mine ruins and a dispersed campsite, whose higher elevation offers terrific views across the valley. Intersecting the trail are a few short trails to explore and a few long hiking trails into the wilderness. The mine site makes a perfect base camp to explore the wilderness.

Dispersed camping is allowed here when meeting the BLM Dispersed Camping Guidelines. Campfires may be prohibited, and it is the responsibility of campers to know and follow the any fire restrictions. The best camp spot is near the mine camp, which provides a view and some shelter from the wind.

This is an easy trail except for the last 100 yards past the mine camp ruins and into the mine proper, where the trail becomes steep and strewn with large pumpkin-sized rocks. To drive the last portion will require a high clearance 4x4.