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BE ADVISED BY THE PARK RANGER SERVICE THE MINES ARE UNSTABLE DUE TO RECENT EARTHQUAKES. PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO THE MINES AT THIS TIME. That said, I added some Challenge Coins from NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center, now get out there and grab one. The mine was used to extract pumicite, a fine grit material used in Old Dutch Cleanser, a kitchen and bathroom scouring powder. This was similar to Comet. The mine was active from 1923 to 1947.
Sorry to those who could not find this cache recently. It was moved by someone. I suspect it wasn't fellow Geocachers. We all know not to move someones cache. It's back in it's original location. Have fun and enjoy the incredible views. And thanks for all the great comments. There are 19 tunnels that come to the surface, but there are about a dozen tunnels that do not. There are numerous tunnels perpendicular to the mine shafts that were used to transport the pumicite to the central extraction tunnel. Pumicite is a very fine abrasive, similar to pumice, which is used in Lava soap, but is a lot finer. The tunnels are huge. Some are 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall and go for hundreds of feet, down at an angle of 45 degrees. The company that owned the mines was the Cudahy Packing Company. Topo maps refer to these mines as the Cudahy Old Dutch Cleanser Mines. When you go, walk the trail and you will see an old 30’s vintage truck frame and engine that was used to pump the water used to drill the holes for the dynamite. Also, you will see the remnants of the cable mechanism used for the tram that was used to haul the pumicite down to the valley floor for transport south to the Southern Pacific Railroad. This is a very interesting site. Driving up Highway 14, exit at Redrock/InyoKern Rd., which is approx. 4.8 mi. from the Red Rock turnout. From Hwy 14, the road is dirt, but easily driven by any truck or SUV. At approx. 2.7 mi there is a road that takes off to the right. Continue on this road to the right for approx. 2 mi. At the end, it bears to the right up to the 1st tunnel. The last .25 mi. is a little rough, so you can park at a large parking area and walk the last little bit. History: (Source - DeathValleyJim's website) The Old Dutch Cleanser Mine began operation under Cudahy Packing Company in 1923. The primary mineral that was mined was pumicite, which is a variety of pumice (highly pressurized rock that is violently ejected from a volcano, it is formed when lava and water are mixed). Cudahy Packing utilized this material for the manufacturing of Old Dutch Cleanser, a domestic kitchen and bathroom scouring powder that was highly popular and well know in the USA. Old Dutch Cleanser is still manufactured today, however the mining location for pumicite was relocated in 1947. Twelve men were employed by Cudahy to oversee the mine and produce 100 tons of pumicite per week. The pumicite was lowered down the mountain ridge utilizing an inclined rail tramway. From the base of the mountain, it was trucked 7 miles down Last Chance Canyon and loaded on the Pacific Railroad at Saltdale, then was delivered to Los Angeles where it was processed and blended with other material to create the cleanser. Cudahy Camp was a small company operated camp that was created to house the miners employed at the mine. Numerous structures had been built at the camp, however it’s unclear as to all of their uses. First be advised that when visiting the Old Dutch Cleanser Mine that it is on private property. When I spoke with a Park Ranger at Red Rock State Park he assured me of this, however he also let me know that for the time being the mine is open to the public for visiting. For most people, The Old Dutch Cleanser Mine will be unlike any other mining operation that you’ve ever come across. The tunnels going into the mine are massive, to the point that you could probably drive a vehicle through it. The walls, ceiling, and floor are completely white and the substance feels as if you are walking through baby powder. The tunnel system is extensive, and many entrances can be found around the mountain. I only spent time poking around what would seem to be the main entrance, and tunnels. I do plan a return trip in the near future to do a much more extensive expedition. I recommend that if you plan to venture into the mine that you come prepared with a dust mask, and if available even a respirator. As for Cudahy Camp, all that remains is the foundations of a few of the buildings. A California Parks & Recreations report from 2007 states that the destruction of the historic buildings at Cudahy Camp is a direct result of off-roaders and campers destroying this historic location. Because of this, camping is no longer permitted in this portion of Last Chance Canyon. You can read the report on the California Parks & Recreations website. Despite there not being much in the form of structures of any kind, this is a fun trip filled with beautiful scenery through Last Chance Canyon, and the Old Dutch Cleanser Mine is worth seeing due to its pure uniqueness.
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