In Search of the Summit Station Corral

Friends of the SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM

www.SaltTram.blogspot.com   SalineValleySaltTram@gmail.com
Salt Tram history is rapidly disappearing, and we are striving to rediscover the efforts of our forefathers in order to give proper recognition to their hopes, dreams and abundant sweat from an era that is rapidly fading from our memories. We are actively seeking out information about the mining of Salt in Saline Valley between 1903 and the 1950's, including: documents, photos, articles, stories, artifacts, etc. If you can help us out, please email us at the address above - Thank-you! --Tim and Brian Waag, the Waag brothers (aka E. Clampus Waagus).

Caution (PLEASE READ): Climbing around on the tramway is dangerous because its really old and defnitely unsafe, so don't even think about it. Shoot, just getting to it requires some perilous hiking, and if you don't believe me, just take a look at the Zig Zag Access Trail (or what's left of it). Plus, climbing on it weakens it and endangers your life. Also, the Saline Valley Salt Tram is on the National Register of Historic Places and should be treated with the respect that it deserves. What little remains is of great historic value, and should not be disturbed in any way. Heck, its probably against the law to move parts of the tram around, and certainly a crime to take home some of the few bits of it that remain (though you'd have to ask your friendly local BLM agent for details). So please treat it with the respect it deserves, so that future generations can enjoy whats left, without you messing it up. Really. Please. You can see its listing on the National Register of Historic Places at these web links:
National Register of Historic Places 1          National Register of Historic Places 2

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According to my sources, there was a mule and horse corral for the Salt Tram Summit Station. Based on the description I received, I'm guessing it is located somewhere in the red area. Last time we were there, I forgot to look for it, but I will have a chance to do so soon, and will report on what we find.

This aerial shot is from Google Earth, and also shows the Salt Tram Summit Station, as well as the Salt Tram Caretaker's cabin.

The historical photo is said to depict two Salt Tram workers on horseback.

There are several corrals associated with the Salt Tram. Some were to hold horses, and some were to hold mules, and some were to hold both. Some of the corrals have used smooth wire, and others have used barbed wire, and I have heard that the smooth stuff is for horses, and the barbed wire for the mules. Not sure if thats true, so will have to do some more research to verify.

Analysis of Historic Horseman Photo: I'm not sure of the source of this photo, showing 2 men on horseback, as well as another man sitting at the left. Unfortunately, the photo is of poor quality, thus limiting its usefullness. It is not clear that the photo is associated with the Salt Tram, but let's assume that it is. First, there are 2 fence posts in the background, the leftmost of which is definitely a raw tree branch, complete with a y-shaped split. The 2 other corrals that we have discovered that are associated with the Salt Tram used raw tree branchs for corral posts, and a scarce few at that. It also appears that the man on the left is sitting on a fence, which is NOT consistent with Salt Tram corral construction. There appear to be 3 more horses in the background, indicating a corral area that could accomodate at least 5 horses. Also, there is what appears to be a water barrel near the legs of the horse on the right. So far, we have not found any water barrels in association with a Salt Tram corral, so this is inconclusive. There are no telling landmarks in the background that would indicate the location of the corral in this photo. There appears to be a rock formation at the left edge of the photo, but that is not clear. This area looks similar to the corral area at Chuckawalla Hollow in Saline Valley (a Salt Tram Camp). I have included a photo of a portion of the Chuckawalla Hollow Corral to show the similarity of the corral construction.

Future Exploration: Try to find the distinctive Y-shaped corral fence post that matches the one in the historical photo.

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Possible Go-Devil Trail: Summit to CS II?

Friends of the SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM

www.SaltTram.blogspot.com   SalineValleySaltTram@gmail.com
As the years pass, researching the true story of the Salt Tram is getting more difficult, as the abundant photos and written first hand accounts from that era find their way into landfills (instead of museums). We  are striving to rediscover the efforts of those who built and ran the Salt Tram, in order to give proper recognition to their hopes, dreams and abundant sweat from an era that is rapidly fading from our memories.  
We are actively seeking out information about the mining of Salt in Saline Valley between 1903 and the 1950's, including: documents, photos, articles, stories, artifacts, etc. If you can help us out, please email us at the address above - Thank-you! --Tim and Brian Waag, the Waag brothers (aka E. Clampus Waagus).

Caution (PLEASE READ): Climbing around on the tramway is dangerous because its really old and defnitely unsafe, so don't even think about it. Shoot, just getting to it requires some perilous hiking, and if you don't believe me, just take a look at the Zig Zag Access Trail (or what's left of it). Plus, climbing on it weakens it and endangers your life. Also, the Saline Valley Salt Tram is on the National Register of Historic Places and should be treated with the respect that it deserves. What little remains is of great historic value, and should not be disturbed in any way. Heck, its probably against the law to move parts of the tram around, and certainly a crime to take home some of the few bits of it that remain (though you'd have to ask your friendly local BLM agent for details). So please treat it with the respect it deserves, so that future generations can enjoy whats left, without you messing it up. Really. Please. You can see its listing on the National Register of Historic Places at these web links:
National Register of Historic Places 1          National Register of Historic Places 2

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QUESTION 1: Find the elusive Go-Devil route to the bottom of Daisy Canyon. DONE MAY 2010! Congrats to Tom and Brian!!!

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Continuing to search for Go-Devil Trail from Summit to Temp Tramway: This is our attempt to find the Go-Devil route without leaving our desk! On Google Earth, the purple trail looks like a quick trail down to the bottom of Daisy Canyon. It ends up at the little spring and camp in the bottom of daisy canyon, just above the burro coral in the bottom of Daisy Canyon. Click topo map to enlarge purple route and elevation profile map:

Maybe its nothing - you know Google Earth! Note on the topo map profile that this route creates a very nice downward sloping profile and MIGHT solve the mystery of the final stage of the trail to the bottom of Daisy Canyon. Below is the Google Earth version of the topo map, showing a possible Go-Devil route in red. (Click to enlarge).


















Photo below shows Spring and Camp where the possible new trail exits into the bottom of Daisy Canyon proper (click to enlarge):






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From New FRIENDS OF SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM participant Fred D. (March, 2010):
Fred ran into a pile of Salt Tram lumber on the west side of the tram route, when he inadvertently went off trail. He will attempt to relocate the site on our May 2010 trip.

Here's what Fred said: "To locate the 'stack of lumber' you could ask the BLM rep in our group to ask the NPS  airplane pilot to take a photo 1mile down 1/4 mile south of the trail where the pile is.  These guys talk govt. lingo so they could connect.  I have talked to the pilot, some years back , (since retired), around 50 years old.  His office # at that time was 760   786-3248.  Goggle Earth did not work well , not enough resolution, maybe a bad day/ connection whatever ,  do you have a lat / lon for the tram, may help me .

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Go-Devil Route to CS II

Friends of the SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM

www.SaltTram.blogspot.com   SalineValleySaltTram@gmail.com
As the years pass, researching the true story of the Salt Tram is getting more difficult, as the abundant photos and written first hand accounts from that era find their way into landfills (instead of museums). We  are striving to rediscover the efforts of those who built and ran the Salt Tram, in order to give proper recognition to their hopes, dreams and abundant sweat from an era that is rapidly fading from our memories.  
We are actively seeking out information about the mining of Salt in Saline Valley between 1903 and the 1950's, including: documents, photos, articles, stories, artifacts, etc. If you can help us out, please email us at the address above - Thank-you! --Tim and Brian Waag, the Waag brothers (aka E. Clampus Waagus).

Caution (PLEASE READ): Climbing around on the tramway is dangerous because its really old and defnitely unsafe, so don't even think about it. Shoot, just getting to it requires some perilous hiking, and if you don't believe me, just take a look at the Zig Zag Access Trail (or what's left of it). Plus, climbing on it weakens it and endangers your life. Also, the Saline Valley Salt Tram is on the National Register of Historic Places and should be treated with the respect that it deserves. What little remains is of great historic value, and should not be disturbed in any way. Heck, its probably against the law to move parts of the tram around, and certainly a crime to take home some of the few bits of it that remain (though you'd have to ask your friendly local BLM agent for details). So please treat it with the respect it deserves, so that future generations can enjoy whats left, without you messing it up. Really. Please. You can see its listing on the National Register of Historic Places at these web links:
National Register of Historic Places 1          National Register of Historic Places 2

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QUESTION1: Find the original Go-Devil Route from the Summit Station to the top of the Temporary Construction Tramway from the bottom of Daisy Canyon to Station 15. DONE MAY 2010! Congrats to Tom and Brian!!!

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Background (October 2009): We did a trip to the Salt Tram in October 2009. One of our objectives was to match the Go-Devil historical photos to the scenery at the Salt Tram to determine where the photos were taken. This supported our other objective, which was to determine the Go-Devil route from the Summit Station to the top of the Temporary Tramway in the bottom of Daisy Canyon. On this trip, we failed to meet either objective. Below is a description of that effort.

Upon Alan's suggestion, I used google earth to look at Salt Tram Go-Devil routes. An 8 to 12 horse team moved salt tram building material loads from the Owens Lake Train Depot up to the summit, then they were switched from wagon to go-devil, and dragged down the bottom of daisy canyon until the top of the temporary tramway, where they were put on the tramway and trammed to Control Station 2.

Click on Google Earth Map (below) to see a full resolution map.

 



What a Ride! (Trenton, New Jersey to Tram Station 15)
- Tram built at Trenton Iron Co. in Trenton, New Jersey
- Railroad transported across country to tramway spur at Owens Lake ("Tramway")
- Loaded onto 8 to 12 horse teams to Horse Camp (1/2 way up to the Inyo summit)
- New horse team brought the load the rest of the way to the summit
- Transferred from horse team wagon to Go-Devil skid device and 2 mules
- Dragged down daisy canyon
- Loaded onto temp tramway and moved to Station 15
- Assumedly moved from Station 15 to Stations 11, 12, 13 and 14

Our goal is to find the go-devil route. This Google Earth Map will help find spots.

The spot we are looking for needs a flat staging area that allows for 2 teams of horses, a transfer of building material from horse wagon to horse go-devil team.

(The ASCE 1917 document alleges that the) go-devil employed 2 hook skids for brakes that were deployed going down hill, with the horse team in front. They must have done a lot of loads of material, therefore, there should be a path left over from these massive skids and massive loads. We should also find some artifacts (things that fell off), resting places, etc. along the route. Note that there is NO PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that these "hooks" were EVER used.

Some spots are more likely than others. Start with the fact that the blue road is where the Charcoal Road (and the horse wagon loads) come up to the Inyo Ridge. From there, the loads are transferred to the Go-Devil, and then dragged down to the temporary tramway down below in Daisy Canyon.

Based on the location of the Old Charcoal Road, and the terrain on the East side of the Inyos in the vicinity of the Salt Tram are:

MOST LIKELY:
6 (theres a clearing for staging, and its the most direct route, and there
appears to be a road bed not attributed to erosion)
9 (the least steep route, but off the picture below; there's a road
going to it, diverting from the main ridge road)
1 (there's a appears to be a road bed not attributed to ersion)
2 - 3 (there appears to be a road bed not attributed to erosion)

MODERATELY LIKELY: 4, 5

MOST UNLIKELY: 7, 8

Thanks Alan, for the tip.

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On the October 2009 trip, we failed to match the Go-Devil photo below with the exact spot near the summit of the Inyos where this photo (below) was taken:

Note that the ridge road along these options runs about 2.5 miles. Therefore, I suggest that our plan on is to load up a pickup truck (with us) and DRIVE along the ridge road and check each one out,
then drive back to the summit station and get ready to hike down Daisy Canyon. We'll probably have to split up and hike down different paths shown in orange.

More technical information on the use of the Go-Devil's in moving Salt Tram building material will be posted on this blog in the future.

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Research Doc: May 29, 1960 San Bernardino Sun Telegram

Friends of the SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM

www.SaltTram.blogspot.com   SalineValleySaltTram@gmail.com
Salt Tram history is rapidly disappearing, and we are striving to rediscover the efforts of our forefathers in order to give proper recognition to their hopes, dreams and abundant sweat from an era that is rapidly fading from our memories. We are actively seeking out information about the mining of Salt in Saline Valley between 1903 and the 1950's, including: documents, photos, articles, stories, artifacts, etc. If you can help us out, please email us at the address above - Thank-you! --Tim and Brian Waag, the Waag brothers (aka E. Clampus Waagus).

Caution (PLEASE READ): Climbing around on the tramway is dangerous because its really old and defnitely unsafe, so don't even think about it. Shoot, just getting to it requires some perilous hiking, and if you don't believe me, just take a look at the Zig Zag Access Trail (or what's left of it). Plus, climbing on it weakens it and endangers your life. Also, the Saline Valley Salt Tram is on the National Register of Historic Places and should be treated with the respect that it deserves. What little remains is of great historic value, and should not be disturbed in any way. Heck, its probably against the law to move parts of the tram around, and certainly a crime to take home some of the few bits of it that remain (though you'd have to ask your friendly local BLM agent for details). So please treat it with the respect it deserves, so that future generations can enjoy whats left, without you messing it up. Really. Please. You can see its listing on the National Register of Historic Places at these web links:
National Register of Historic Places 1          National Register of Historic Places 2

**************************************************************************For some reason, this blog doesn't post the photos in the order I am trying to put them in. Perhaps I'll figure out what order it lists them, so that I can control that order. Until then, they'll just be randomly posted.

I got a copy of this article from the Eastern Sierra Museum, and the copy is absolutely lousy. The article doesn't give too much good information about the Salt Tram, but does provide a few good leads. The older the article, the better the information, I have found.

Here's my summary of the document.

Source: San Bernardino Sun-Telegram, May 29, 1960, by L. Burr Belden “13-Mile Tram Hauled Salt of Saline Valley” (acquired from Eastern Sierra Museum)

Current Status: Have contacted the Sun (no longer the Sun-Telegram) to see if I can get a copy of the original articles, and perhaps the original photos, as the copy I have contains only 6 of the 9 referenced photos. I photocopied a photocopy at the Eastern Sierra Museum (ESM), so the quality is really, really, bad!

Usefulness of Information: 2 (out of a scale of 1, 2 or 3, with 1 being the best information, 2 being so-so, and 3 being nearly worthless).

New Information / Leads: • Period of greatest Salt Mining activity via the Salt Tram was 1910 - 1918 (the Salt Tram was first run on July 2nd, 1913) • May 1902: Calif. State Minining Bureau published a county-by-county survey of salt mining, and reported only minor local use made of the Saline Valley salt deposits; extensive deposits of pure rock salt were discovered in1864 • Commercial operation started in 1913 after over $300,000 had been spent on building the mining operation • There was a rail spur to the tram terminus, and on the railmen’s timeables it was named “Tramway”, but no such station appeared on public tables • Tram operation terminated in 1930 at the start of the depression (I thought it ended in1932), but they didn’t think the recession would last long, so posted caretakers at the tramway for some time • Tramway eventually sold to Al Noren of Big Pine for a $1, and he was the only bidder; Noren salvaged some of the more accessible material (cable, buckets), but left the remote material where it remains today • “3 miles S of Beveridge Canyon is Saline Camp, the region’s one-time metropolis. Just No of the camp is a miner’s home with a road sign inviting travelers to help themselves to water, if they don’t shoot or steal his burros (wonder if this is the Conn-Trudo Borax Works?) • At the time of the article, loading platforms still existed at the Salt Lake, and I believe are shown in the fuzzy photos accompanying the article; also adds that a few resistance coils and foundations of the power plant (not sure what he is talking about - what power plant? they got power from the hydro-electric plant in the Eastern Sierras?).

Interesting Facts Not Related to the Salt Tram: author references the ghost town at Belt Spring (“a small colony of permanent residents”) • references the “old indian trail down Marble and Cottonwood Canyons down to the Death Valley Floor” • references the “small mining community of Wacuba - a collection of miners cabins and mine shafts” • Apparently during 1960ish, there was a highway sign along Saline Valley Road that listed the mileage to Beveridge, which got its named, according to the author, from the 1912 Bull Moose Party, which is obviously not true. • there are several camps in Grapevine Canyon (from another source: Areas of particular archeological significance within the park boundaries include Butte Valley, Mesquite Flat, the floor of Death Valley, Grapevine Canyon, high elevation localities in the Panamint Mountains, alluvial fans on the west side of Death Valley, and springs; perhaps the author is referring to Indian camps?)

Misc: L. Burr Beldon was born in 1898 and died in 1977, but it might still be fun to try and contact him or his relatives, since this was his 21st article of the 9th historical series - this one on Saline Valley. It turns out that he has written numerous books, including some that I own: Mines of Death Valley by L. Burr Belden and Illustrated with b&w and color Drawings & Photos (Paperback - Jan 1, 1966); Baja California Overland - Third Edition by L. Burr Belden (Paperback - 1968); Amasa Lyman, San Bernardino's first mayor (Quarterly of San Bernardino County Museum Association) by L. Burr Belden (Unknown Binding - 1964); Goodbye, Death Valley!: The 1849 Jayhawker Escape by L. Burr Belden (Paperback - Jan 1, 1956); The Mississippians and the Georgians of the Death Valley 1849 party by L. Burr Belden (Unknown Binding - 1975); Romantic heritage of Upper Mojave Desert: A saga of pioneer discoveries and modern achievements by L. Burr Belden (Unknown Binding - 1967)

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To learn more about L. Burr Belden, see this link: L. Burr Belden Memorial
 
The link above states in part:

Birth:	Apr. 26, 1898 New York, USA
Death:	Feb. 18, 1977 San Bernardino County California, USA
In the early 1920's, Belden wandered Death Valley as a young reporter for the San Bernardino Sun-Telegram. He befriended old-timers and reclusive miners who shared with him their confidences, many told for the first time in this book. Belden made the Death Valley area a field of intense personal study and research. He loved the desert, an in particular, he loved all that had to do with Death Valley -its history, landscape and its people. Belden spent more than 50 years at the Sun-Telegram and later served on the California History Commission and Conference of Historical Societies, appointed by then California Governors Jerry Brown and Ronald Reagan. Belden also served as chair of the Death Valley Forty-Niners. Other books "Searles Lake Borax 1862-1962", also "San Bernardino 150 Years Old Today" "PADRE FOUNDS CITY IN 1810 AND GIVES VALLEY ITS NAME" By L. BURR BELDEN (Sun-Telegram Historical Writer)Copyright (1960), First Noble Grand Humbug of the Billy Holcome chapter in 1968, of the Ancient and Honorable order of E Clampus Vitus.

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Welcome to White Smith's Marvelous Salt Tram

Above: This title "Welcome to White Smith's Marvelous Salt Tram" is a respectful rip-off of Mary DeDecker's Death Valley 49ers Keepsake booklet  No. 33 (44th Annual Death Valley '49ers Encampment, November 10 - 14, 1993) entitled "White Smith's Fabulous Salt Tram". Its a wonderful booklet, written by a wonderful person (whom I have never met, and she is no longer with us), and one of the first Salt Tram documents that we read, and helped to interest us in this "Fabulous" endeaver, the Saline Valley Salt Tram!

Above (please click to enlarge): Historical photo of the Salt Tram Summit Station (Motor Station Number 3) during a snowstorm. Photo Courtesy Eastern California Museum, Independence, Calif. It is one of my favorite photos of the Salt Tram, as it shows the powers of nature, and the difficult environment that the builders and the operators would face in operating in such a challenging environment.

Introducing the Waag Brothers - Tim and Brian: Longtime brothers Tim and Brian Waag have been adventurers and explorers since they were kids growing up together in Southern California. One of their first adventures involved getting lost at the Death Valley Sand Dunes at night (distances in the desert are farther than they appear!), when they attempted to cross them late in the day, and had their mother wandering along the highway 3 hours after dark, tears in her eyes, wondering if they would ever come out alive! Since then, they've rarely finished a hike with any daylight left in the skies, as the draw of desert exploration pulls them every deeper into the unknown.

It's difficult to write a short introduction to something like the Salt Tram, just as it is difficult to describe the attraction to something that on its face, is merely a mundane device for transporting salt that has long since passed its usefulness. Tramways used in mining operations hit their peak in the 1910's and the 1920's, so the Salt Tram represents the pinnacle of their technical development. Technically, the Salt Tram was of the "Double Rope Bleichert patent" design, and was designed and built by the Trenton Iron Company (Trenton, New Jersey), a wholly owned subsidiary of U. S. Steel.

Of course, tramways like the Salt Tram are still in use - only they are now only found at ski resorts! Yep - look closely, and you will see that ski lifts operate in the same general manner as the Salt Tram, so tram technology still lives on. However, it is a different story for mining operations. Where trams were once used, today they have been replaced with large earth moving trucks and / or conveyor belts. New mining tramways are no longer being built in the modern world, and the Slat Tram represents the last of its era.

Above (Click to Enlarge): Diagram of Salt Tramway over the Inyo Mountains; this diagram appeared in the May 1917 issue of the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) document. It gives you an idea of the magnitude of achievement to build a tram that starts in Saline Valley and goes up and over the Inyo Mountains and into Owens Valley.

More than you want to know about the Waag Bros.: The boys grew up in El Segundo, next to LAX, where Brian found lifetime employment as an Electrician and later, as a Procurement Manager for Chevron. Tim headed up the road, to get a BS in Math and Computer Science at UCLA, followed by an MS in Management Science at USC. After 12 years of software development work at TRW, Tim and his family moved to San Luis Obispo in 1992 where they currently reside, and where Tim is an office manager for a law firm.

White Smith and the Salt Tram: The real story here, of course, is the every increasing pull of the Salt Tram itself. Saline Valley Salt Co. President White Smith served as a key player throughout the life of the Salt Tram. White Smith began mining Salt in Saline Valley in 1903, and hauling it out via North Pass in wagons. Later, when the Los Angeles Aqueduct required hydro-electric power in order to be built, the solution to the problem of how to transport Salt out of Saline Valley became obvious: build an electric-powered tramway!  Plans to build the tram were formulated beginning in 1910, the tram construction began in 1911, and on July 2, 1913, the first bucket of Salt came out of Saline Valley in a tram bucket! The stock market crash of 1929, along with a subsequent plunge in the price of Salt, and the tramway was operated for the last time. But it was built to last, and but for the vandalism and salvage that has occurred since, much of it should still be standing today.

Repeated visits to the Salt Tram emboldened the Waag Brothers to learn more, and in learning more, found that it has never been thoroughly investigated and documented for the wonderful, crazy idea from another time that it represents. They decided they were up to the challenge of drawing in as much as there is to know about the amped up ambition of local Bishop attorney White Smith, and his desire to build what is referred to as “White Smith's Fabulous Salt Tram”. 

Above (click to enlarge): Brian and Tim giving a presentation on the Salt Tram to the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, located in Ridgecrest, California. Brian at left with mic; Tim at right.

Presentations: The Waag brothers frequently give presentations on all aspects of the Saline Valley Salt Company tramway, as well as other topics where they have done extensive investigations (library and field). The presentation begins with the genesis of Tennessee-born White Smith's inspiration to build this truly one-of-a-kind Saline Valley salt mine and 13.5 mile tramway over the entire Inyo Mountains to Owens Valley and its railroad spur. Tim and Brian will then lead a guided pictorial tour of their hazardous 3 day trek along the entire Salt Tram route, starting in Owen's Valley and ending in Saline Valley. Finally, they will focus on the many mysteries that still confront them regarding the Salt Tram's construction, operation, bankruptcies, wild bucket rides, and ultimate demise.

Above (click to enlarge): Salt Tram worker "rides the line", a common occurrence. Photo Courtesy Eastern California Museum, Independence, Calif.

The Eastern California Museum (760) 878-0258 in Independence, California (in the remarkable Owens Valley) is currently seeking historical resource information about the Salt Tram, including but not limited to photos, artifacts, stories, and documents - if you have information that could assist with this effort to preserve the history of this magnificent monument to  the "can-do" attitude of the pioneers of Owens Valley, it would be most appreciated.

Salt Tram Updates: Consult this website http://salttram.blogspot.com for frequent updates on the progress of the Waag Bros. Saline Valley Salt Tram investigation. To become involved in the “Friends of the Saline Valley Salt Tram” group, please email us at SalineValleySaltTram@GMail.com. Thank-you.

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