Pine Creek Mine (1918-1990) seen from Pine Creek Pass Trail. Eastern Sierra, northwest of Bishop, California, USA.

Pine Creek Pass Trail overlooks the former Pine Creek Mine (1918-1990) in the Eastern Sierra, northwest of Bishop, in California, USA. Opened in 1918, Union Carbide's Pine Creek Mine was once the largest tungsten producer in the United States. In its heyday (1940–1990) the mine produced 162 million tons of ore and 8.35 million 20-pound "units" of tungsten oxide with a total value of more than $400 million. Pine Creek also produced $30 million worth of molybdenum and silver. During World War II, the mine supplied tanks with tungsten armor plating and armor-piercing projectiles. We backpacked to Honeymoon Lake and Granite Park in Inyo National Forest. Day 1: backpack 6.2 miles with 2900 feet gain to Honeymoon Lake. Day 2: backpack 3.1 miles with 1300 ft gain to Granite Park. Day 3: backpack 2.7 miles with 1300 ft descent to Honeymoon Lake to set up tents; then day hike 4.4 miles round trip with 900 ft gain to Pine Creek Pass. Day 4: backpack 6.2 miles with 2900 ft descent to the trailhead.

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Filename: 2108CA2-0103.jpg
Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5472x3648 / 10.1MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; California North America Sierra Nevada Mountains USA United States of America energy landscape nature outdoor
Contained in galleries: 2021 Aug 1-Sep 12: CA Sierras, CO, NE, SD, California: Sierras: Inyo National Forest

Pine Creek Pass Trail overlooks the former Pine Creek Mine (1918-1990) in the Eastern Sierra, northwest of Bishop, in California, USA. Opened in 1918, Union Carbide's Pine Creek Mine was once the largest tungsten producer in the United States. In its heyday (1940–1990) the mine produced 162 million tons of ore and 8.35 million 20-pound "units" of tungsten oxide with a total value of more than $400 million. Pine Creek also produced $30 million worth of molybdenum and silver. During World War II, the mine supplied tanks with tungsten armor plating and armor-piercing projectiles. We backpacked to Honeymoon Lake and Granite Park in Inyo National Forest. Day 1: backpack 6.2 miles with 2900 feet gain to Honeymoon Lake. Day 2: backpack 3.1 miles with 1300 ft gain to Granite Park. Day 3: backpack 2.7 miles with 1300 ft descent to Honeymoon Lake to set up tents; then day hike 4.4 miles round trip with 900 ft gain to Pine Creek Pass. Day 4: backpack 6.2 miles with 2900 ft descent to the trailhead.