Destination West!
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • YouTube Channel
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Archive Albums
DestinationWest.Org

A free western tourism resource featuring majestic destinations and lesser known places!   

Wildrose Charcoal Kilns ~ Death Valley

12/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns ~ Death Valley

There are only a few places where the old west charcoal kilns still stand tall, because for the most part, the ancient stone block and masonry design self destructed after extensive use. After a kiln collapsed, the materials were repurposed, so nothing remained except some rubble and a bare patch on the ground. This holds true in the busier mining areas where charcoal was in high demand, but in places where a mining camp went boom to bust in a short time, the kilns may have not been used long enough for the masonry to weaken. One such spot where the old kilns still look as fresh as the day they were built happens to be Wildrose in Death Valley National Park.

In the case of the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, the mining industry in this region was riddled with dubious operations that were solely designed to bilk investors. There were also several overzealous mining operations that completely overshot the limits of feasibility in this very unforgiving region. The lack of deep forests also limited charcoal production at Wildrose, so this industrial operation was doomed from the start. The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns ceased operations in the lated 1870s shortly after they were constructed, so the condition of these bee hive structures is as pristine as it gets. 

The signature bee hive shape of these stone block and masonry structures are fascinating to see in their entirety. Visitors can also experience the inside of these massive kilns, which can be a challenge to photograph. The Wildrose Peak Trailhead is right next door, so an entire afternoon can be spent at this location. Panamint Valley, Trona Pinnacles, Skidoo and several dispersed camping areas are also located nearby, which will fill in the gaps when planning a venture. The historic Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are definitely worth checking out, so be sure to chalk this one high on the Death Valley touring wish list!    

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Leave no trace!
    New!
    ​Destination West YouTube channel!
     https://www.youtube.com/@DestinationWestOrg
    *The Destination West website upgrading project is well underway. Unique YouTube slideshows are replacing the outdated Flickr photo galleries. The new videos feature modern graphics and alternative music instrumentals that enhance the viewing experience. Some articles are being condensed, while others are getting much needed edits. As everybody knows, the bulk of the original articles and photos were published on the fly during the Covid camping venture and there were limitations. Upgrading is the way to go and more articles will receive a makeover each week until this project is completed. After that, I will be able to gather new material. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

    ​JD Lane

    Archives

    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

    Donations help the Destinaton West project continue into the future! 
    Go Fund Me!

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • YouTube Channel
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Archive Albums