Saline Valley Salt Tram: Salt Tram from Trepier Mines

Friends of the SALINE VALLEY SALT TRAM

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 1940'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:
http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ca/Inyo/state.html
http://www.noehill.com/inyo/nat1974000514.asp

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QUESTION 1: Re-hike to the Trepier Cabins and get the spectacular near-aerial views on the Salt Tram in images for our book. First, get a great camera - better still, Dougie, why don't you get the photos for me with your nice pro camera when you are slummin' in Death Valley in May 2010? Please? Thanks! I don't want to make that hike again, but you might enjoy it! Hiking to the Trepier Cabins is TOUGH, and you start hiking downhill first, so please be fit and prepared before you go; there's no trail or nuthin', so hope you like going up and down cross country ridges when you make this hike. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!Love, Tim and Brian, the Waag Bros.

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In June, 2006, we had a summer trip that we called InyoFest 2006! We camped up near the summit of the Inyos, and made a hike to the near legendary Trepier Cabins and Mines. Wouldn't you know - from the Trepier Cabin there is a clear view of the Salt Tram - and particularly Control Station 1. Now, getting to the 1880's Trepier Cabins - properly called dugouts - takes 3,300 feet of descent from the summit of the Inyos first - then a slog back up to where ya keep da beer!

Anyways, this was in the dark days of digital cameras, when I didn't have much of a zoom, but River Rich (aka R2) did, so most of these photos are his. Anyways, it gives you a near aerial view of the Salt Tram, plus an idea of the severity of terrain of the east side of the Inyos.

Enjoy the mini photo fest! (click on photo to enlarge).

Photo 1 (below - click to enlarge): Fairly wide view of the Salt Tram route, with the Salt Tram pack trail highlighted with green dots. Note that although portions of the pack trail still exist, they are difficult to follow and dangerous, and all caution should be taken when following them, including the use of climbing ropes and harnesses; climbing the pack trail here to the top of the Zig Zag trail requires over 4,000 feet of elevation gain, and is only recommended for the daring, fit, and adventurous climber. If you make it that far, please let us know at the email above.

Photo 2 (below - click to enlarge): Salt Tram Summit Station as the sun sets. Massive Summit Station clearly seen in the photo. Pack trail can be made out in the upper left of the scene.

Photo 3 (below - click to enlarge): More zoomed in shot than photo 2, showing Control Station 1, or the "Change of Direction" Station, though the change of direction of 33 degrees is not immediately obvious in this photo. Warning! Although portions of the pack trail still exist, they are difficult to follow and dangerous (and subject to rock slides), and all caution should be taken when following them, including the use of climbing ropes and harnesses; climbing the pack trail here to the top of the Zig Zag trail requires over 4,000 feet of elevation gain, and is only recommended for the daring, fit, and adventurous climber. If you make it that far, please let us know at the email above.

Photo 4 (below - click to enlarge): Tim's son James poses from our cliffside perch on the eastern Inyos, with the dramatic Salt Lake as a back drop. Note that next to James' left hand in the Salt Lake, you can easily make out the 1 acre drying ponds etched into the Salt Lake, allowing the evaporative powers of the Saline Valley's heat to turn the brine into salt ready for the market (oh, so pure).

Photo 5 (below - click to enlarge):I made a collage from 4 separate photos, showing a fairly large segment of Section 1 and 2 of the Salt Tram. I used other photos to illustrate what can be found along the tram route. I intend to make this into a poster someday. Note that although portions of the pack trail still exist, they are difficult to follow and dangerous, and all caution should be taken when following them, including the use of climbing ropes and harnesses; climbing the pack trail here to the top of the Zig Zag trail requires over 4,000 feet of elevation gain, and is only recommended for the daring, fit, and adventurous climber. If you make it that far, please let us know at the email above.