Johnson Lake Mine Historic District

Johnson Lake Mine Historic District is a mining site in the Snake Range at about 11,000 feet elevation with remaining log cabins, mining structures, and an aerial tramway system. The buildings and equipment spread across the mountainside mostly date from the early 1900s.

The district was founded in the early 1900s for tungsten mining and boomed during World War I when tungsten was critical for military manufacturing. After the war, demand fell and the operation wound down.

The log buildings and mining equipment show how workers lived in this remote mountain setting. Walking through the site, you can observe the simple structures they built and the tools they relied on for their daily labor.

The hike to the site starts from Snake Creek Road and requires several hours of walking there and back. The terrain is steep and the elevation demands good fitness and proper equipment for mountain conditions.

The site contains a tungsten-bearing quartz vein that stretches deep into the mountain and remains visible in the exposed rock faces today. This vein was what drew miners to work in this remote high-altitude location.

Location: White Pine County

GPS coordinates: 38.94242,-114.29516

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09