Paymaster Mine Spur

The Paymaster Mine Spur is a short, rugged offshoot near Old Dad Mountain that climbs about 150 feet through rocky desert terrain to an old prospecting mine, part of the larger network of mines that were active in the early 1900s. This half-mile, two-track trail is narrow and uneven, with one steep, loose section that requires high clearance and 4WD for less experienced drivers. The route ends at a deep washout, but a short hike beyond reveals mine tailings and the quiet solitude of the Mojave Wilderness, where wind and open space are the only sounds left from a once-bustling gold operation.