Red Canyon is on the eastern slope of the Pine Nut Mountains, south of Minden and Gardnerville. It is located in Douglas County, but primarily accessed through Smith Valley in Lyon County.
Red Canyon has a perpetual spring and in the late 1800s and early 1900s supplied Smith Valley and Hind’s Hot Springs with cool, clear water.
In 1882 the Red Canyon Mining District was formed. The district contains multiple mines, Longfellow being the largest producer. Gold, silver and copper were the primary commodities mined.
Getting to Red Canyon can be difficult. We went with friends and their RZR’s and accessed Red Canyon from the western side of Bald Mountain. Hubby has taken the CJ5 jeep there but it’s too tight for a a full sized truck. Red Canyon is a beautiful spot for lunch and is especially beautiful in fall.
In October of 2020 friends and I attempted to visit Red Canyon, the ghost town of Bullionville and the Longfellow mine. The Numbers Fire had burned 18,380 acres in August. Red Canyon was threatened but the fire was reportedly stopped before it reached the spring. Fire and erosion caused washouts. We attempted access via four routes but were unable to access the sties approaching from the west. Until roads are improved I will not know what survived the fire.
Visited 10-18-2020, 10-2015
References
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 16, 86.
- Nation, Nyle. The Pine Nut Chronicle: The History and Adventures of Mining in Douglas County Nevada. Pine Nut Press, 2000. Pages 37, 42, 44, 162.
- Western Mining History: Hind’s Hot Springs
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