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Twenty Mule Team Trail

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This information is a public record of the 1975 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Twenty Mule Team Trail

Nonprofit Backcountry Trail
  • Length
    12 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back

Desert trail NE of California City following the route of the famous Twenty Mule Teams.

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Twenty Mule Team. Photo by NPS.
Twenty Mule Team. Photo by NPS.
U.S. Borax Visitor Center roadside sign; Photo by Bob and Patty Spore
U.S. Borax Visitor Center roadside sign; Photo by Bob and Patty Spore
One of the last two 20 Mule Team wagons on display at the U.S. Borax Visitor Center, Boron; Photo by Bob and Patty Spore
One of the last two 20 Mule Team wagons on display at the U.S. Borax Visitor Center, Boron; Photo by Bob and Patty Spore
Big Wagon. Photo by NPS.
Big Wagon. Photo by NPS.
Dusty Trail courtesy of Owens Valley History. Photo by Harold O. Weight.
Dusty Trail courtesy of Owens Valley History. Photo by Harold O. Weight.
  • Twenty Mule Team. Photo by NPS.
  • Twenty Mule Team. Photo by NPS.
  • U.S. Borax Visitor Center roadside sign; Photo by Bob and Patty Spore
  • One of the last two 20 Mule Team wagons on display at the U.S. Borax Visitor Center, Boron; Photo by Bob and Patty Spore
  • Big Wagon. Photo by NPS.
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Location: Desert trail NE of California City.

  • States: California
  • Counties: Kern

For many people, nothing symbolizes Death Valley more than the famous Twenty Mule Teams. These big teams pulled massive wagons hauling borax from the Harmony Borax Works near Furnace Creek to the railhead near Mojave, a grueling 165-mile, ten-day trip across primitive roads. Although the teams only ran for six years (1883 to 1889), they made an enduring impression of the Old West. This is primarily due to a successful advertising campaign promoting 20-Mule-Team Borax Soap and the long-running Death Valley Days radio and television program. Today the Twenty Mule Teams are only a fond memory, but you may see two of the last remaining wagons here in Death Valley. One is in front of the Furnace Creek Ranch and the other is at Harmony Borax Works.

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking

Public Contact

East Kern Historical Museum Society
P.O. Box 2305
California City, CA 93504

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

  • Elevation (low): --
  • Elevation (high): --
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): --
  • Surfaces (additional): --
  • Tread Width (average): 0"
  • Tread Width (minimum): --
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): --
  • Tread Grade (maximum):
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): --
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Apr 27, 1975
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