Paymaster Mine Spur

The Paymaster Mine, discovered in 1900 on the slope of Old Dad Mountain, produced some $75,000 worth of gold between 1910 and 1914 and closed during the great depression. The spur likely once led to a prospect mine with tailings covering the area at the end of the road. This area of the desert is desolate and exquisitely quiet except for the sound of a lonely wind and your own footsteps. Contributing to the isolation is the Mojave Wilderness border at the trailhead and its pristine desert. It is protected by its Wilderness designation to remain in a natural state by minimizing human impact. The spur is cut short by water erosion and is now impassible by vehicle, but a short hike from the end provides the opportunity to explore the area to reveal why this road was here.