Tecopa Mines, situated at 237 Furnace Creek Road in Tecopa, California, is set to reopen its doors to the public on Monday, Oct. 26. The reopening comes as temperatures in the Mojave Desert begin to moderate after the summer.
Ross Dykman, owner of Tecopa Mines, expressed a long-term vision for the property. Dykman stated his "end goal is to preserve this site and eventually make it a long-lasting historical site, hopefully that outlasts me and the rest of us."
Currently, two mines on the property are accessible for basic tours. Dykman explained these tours are designed to "accommodate anybody. They’re walk-in, walk-out, about half a mile each way, all flat and level." Beyond these, more advanced adventure tours are available, which can delve deeper into the mines, with the experience tailored to a visitor's skills and abilities. An additional two mines are in the process of being prepared for future guest experiences.
The mines first began operations in the late 1870s and continued intermittently for approximately 82 years before becoming dormant. Dykman discovered the property about five years ago, recognizing its historical value. He noted that he "realized what was here, and decided this needs to be preserved and saved," adding that many others who care about the site have contributed to making it accessible and safe.
A new small museum has been recently constructed on the property, designed to showcase artifacts from the mines' past, including carbide lamps, old maps, and drills. The museum’s central feature is a grates-covered view into a 120-foot mine shaft. Dykman explained that the shaft had previously collapsed, but was subsequently dug down, recollared, and cleaned out, with the museum now built over it. This allows visitors to look down into the illuminated shaft without physically entering the mine.
The museum is free to visit. Guided tours are held daily at 10 a.m. Visitors are provided with headlamps and hard hats, but closed-toe shoes are required for all tours. To secure a spot, Tecopa Mines requests that tours be scheduled in advance by emailing [email protected] or by contacting Dykman directly at (703) 919-5077.
Basic tours are priced at $60 per person. The more advanced adventure tours cost $120 per person and require booking a few days ahead of time. Tecopa Mines operates as an all-volunteer effort, with funds generated from tours directly supporting the site and its ongoing restoration projects.
Dykman emphasized the historical importance of the site, noting that mining is a fundamental part of the history of the American West, particularly in this region of California and Nevada. He described these mines as some of the largest in the area, operating longer than most, and once part of a "self-contained city." Dykman aims to tell this story, preserving the site as unaltered as possible to offer visitors a genuine historical experience.