Walking Wild & Free

Big Bell Extension 1

The Big Bell Extension

Big Bell Extension 2

Big Bell Extension 3

Big Bell Extension 4

Big Bell Extension 5

Big Bell Extension 6

Big Bell Extension 7

Big Bell Extension 8

Big Bell Extension 9

Big Bell Extension 9

A steep but very scenic trail up to one of the last purchases of the Keane Wonder Mine.

Total Distance: 6.0 miles out & back	Elevation Gain: 2,199ft. (1,184ft. to 2,995ft.)
Difficulty: Strenuous	5+ Mile Difficulty: Strenuous
View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0	Author’s Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0]	Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Pets: No	Horses: No
Best Seasons: November-April	Special Permits: None
Water Availability: No potable water; no water above John Cyty’s Mill.	Overnight Options: Above John Cyty’s Mill; be sure to camp at least 1 mile (as the crow flies) from the Keane Wonder Mine Trail
Trailhead Amenities: None	Crowd Factor: Solitude
Trailhead Access: 1.2
Uses:	Trail Surface:
Features:	Hazards:

Mile-by-Mile: Big Bell Extension Route

0.0 Unmarked Keane Wonder Spring Trailhead (1,317ft.). This is not the Keane Wonder Trailhead; the unmarked, almost unidentifiable trail is located about halfway down the west side of the Keane Wonder Parking Lot. Head west down by the old water tank and locate one of the two trails (there are two trails for much of the hike to John Cyty’s Mill) and follow it generally northwest along the old pipeline to John Cyty’s Cabin & Mill. (36.667797°, -116.910710°)

1.2 John Cyty’s Cabin & Mill (1,260ft.). Climb up the vague trail behind the old stamp mill. It fairly quickly becomes more defined and lazily ascends the hillside heading north before beginning a steep, rocky, but stable, trek up into the mountains about mile 1.3. Views as you climb are stunning of Death Valley, the Badwater Salt Flats to the south, and Corkscrew Peak to the north. To the west, after you’ve climbed high enough, Mount Whitney is visible on a clear day. This means you can see the lowest point in North America (Badwater) and the highest peak in the contiguous US (Mt. Whitney) at the same time! Views are especially good just below the saddle. (36.676338°, -116.926834°)

2.6 Saddle (2,728ft.). Views stretch in nearly all directions and are especially good of Corkscrew Peak to the west and up the nearby canyon to the east. Turn right to begin walking on the very narrow but firm track along the canyon edge. This is not a trail for those who dislike heights, as there is a very steep dropoff right next to the trail. Many boreholes have been made into the side of the hill to look for possible ore veins. This area is known as the Big Bell Extension, as it was used as an attempt by John Cyty to expand the Big Bell Mine, which is further up the trail. (36.6893000°, -116.9180333°)

2.9 Big Bell Extension Bore Hole (2,890ft.). Two beds and other debris litter the entrance to the mine. A short distance further up the trail are the remains of an old cabin. The trail after the cabin becomes much more rugged and narrow, but it is still stable. (36.6902333°, -116.9130667°)

3.0 Trail Junction (2,994ft.). The left fork takes you to some old mines, while the right fork takes you up to the Big Bell Mine Ruins. However, to the best of my knowledge, private property begins near here, so it’s best not to go much beyond this point. (36.691680°, -116.911111°)

History & More

John Cyty extracted ore from the mines near the Big Bell Extension. However, the mines did not prove profitable enough to continue work, despite the fact that Mr. Cyty spent years prospecting in the area.

The Big Bell Extension was purchased by the Keane Wonder Mine Company as the original mine began to run dry. While the Big Bell Mine did produce gold ore, it was never as rich or profitable as the Keane Wonder Mine.

Download Trail Map

Coming soon!

Driving Directions

From Furnace Creek, take CA-190 north 10.6 miles to the junction for the Beatty Cutoff. Turn right toward Beatty. After 5.7 miles of driving north, turn right on the gravel road to the Keane Wonder Mine Trailhead, 2.8 miles later.