Mining has a rich and varied history in the United
States and around the world. Here in California, the
Golden State, mining played a crucial role in
development and settlement. The 1849 gold rush didn't
reach as far south as Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks, but prospectors did enter and explore
the mountains of this area in search of minerals,
riches and wealth. The culmination of this hard work
was the discoveries in Mineral King in the 1870s.
While it wasn't the '49er rush, hundreds of people
did enter Mineral King valley in search of gold and
precious metals. Other mines were developed on
Cataract Creek, at Windy Peak and near Cedar Grove in
Kings Canyon, and near Triple Divide Peak and above
Lone Pine Creek in Sequoia. However, hard work and
dangerous conditions did not pay off for miners and
prospectors in this part of the Sierra. In all cases
the mineral deposits were shallow and very limited in
Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
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A mine shaft along
Franklin Creek in Mineral King. Photo by
Joel Despain.
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Today we are interested in mines for a
different reason than wealth. Their presence in the
parks is an important part of the history of the
area, but their presence can also be dangerous for
both people and the environment. All of the old
mining sites in Sequoia are now abandoned and so come
under the auspices of the Abandoned Mineral Lands
Office of the National Park Services Geologic
Resources Division, based in Denver, Colorado. This
office has provided funding to assess the mines for
hazards to both human health and safety and for their
effects on the environment. Mine shafts and adits are
often unstable, may contain toxic fumes or may
suddenly end in deep drop-offs. They can be very
dangerous places for the unprepared. The unusual
chemistry of the rocks that are excavated at mines
can often lead to acid mine drainage and heavy metal
contamination. Both of these conditions can lead to
poisonous environments near mines and contaminated
water miles down stream from the mine site.
The good news in Sequoia and Kings Canyon is that the
small, short-lived mines of this area do not seem to
have produced these serious problems. The mines
outside of Mineral King do not contain any shafts
(vertical drop-offs) and do not seem to produce any
acid mine drainage. In Mineral King, most sites also
appear to be safe for people and the environment.
However, at least one shaft in White Chief Valley
might be dangerous. It is also possible that Franklin
Creek in Mineral King may suffer from limited
pollution problems associated with abandoned mines.
The National Park Service will be reviewing and
monitoring these problems in the future to insure
that to the extent possible both visitors and the
environment are protected in Sequoia and Kings
Canyon.
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