Scouts Cove

Scout’s Cove is located in the Opal Mountains north of Black Mountain Wilderness. It was a mining site for opals in the early 20th century, financed by the Tiffany Jewelry Company from New York. There is evidence that ancient Native Americans also mined opal from this area. The miners carved a nice shelter in the tufa dome near the mine, which is now used by campers. The Scouts Cove Mineshaft was one of the first chosen by the State of California for remediation due to the danger of the open shaft. It was filled in early 2003, but Opal Mountain is still popular with rockhounds for fire opal and jasper.