November 2010 Salt Tram Field Report

Friends of the Saline Valley Salt Tram

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 Places2

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QUESTION 1: Match the Salt Tram photo that references the "pictographs" with the area around Owens Lake to determine where the photo was taken.


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Introduction: Fred had the idea a few months ago to hike from the Salt Tram Summit in the Inyos all the way down the old pack trail along the tram route to the Saline (pronounced by locals as SLEEN or SUH-leen) Valley in a single day. We had certainly not done it in one day before, as we usually did it as a 2 day with an overnight stay at Control Station 2 (Station 15). We checked around, and there was enthusiastic interest in Fred's idea, so it was a go! We rounded up the usual suspects, along with a new one or two, and we were in business. Although this Summit-2-Sleen hike would be the focal point of the trip, we did do a few other Salt Tram-ish things on this trip (as well as numerous other interesting non-Salt Tram-ish stuff that will not be included in this report. On with the fun! Below: Moonrise over Control Station I (click to enlarge).

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Field Trip Summary: Since it takes so long to put Salt Tram data collected from field trips like this one onto the website, I'll give a summary of the trip, leaving out the many non-salt tram stuff we did on the trip, because that just wouldn't fit the theme of this website, now would it? Most of these numbered items below will eventually be described or linked to in this blog entry.

1. 
   
   
   

   Visited the Cottonwood Hydroelectric Plant - rumored to be the source of electricity to run the Salt Tram - still with its original turbines, circa 1908 (unit 1) and 1909 (unit 2).
2. 
   
   
   

   Visited the Eastern California Museum in Indie to actually get a look at the recently donated Saline Valley Salt Company Stock Certificate.
3. 
   
   
   

   Visited Nancy and Fred Patterson in Bishop (Fred is the son of Salt Tram diarist Henry Clifton Patterson - it was great to see and visit with them).
4. Stayed at "Ray's Den Motel" in Indie - the unofficial home of the Friends of the Saline Valley Salt Tram! (yeah, Linda!). Okay - not really a Salt Tram bullet, but kinda...
5. Field observation of the pack trail below Control Station IV, including power pole route, pack trail, Station 30 and 31 (54 feet high - thanks Mark!), tram towers, cable spool, misc. buckets down canyons, interesting artifacts, etc.
6. Discovery of the likely location for the so-called "Flagstaff Construction Camp" referenced in the Patterson Diary.
7. Exploration of the famous Swansea Petro site (INYO-272) that is referenced in a historic Salt Tram photo below (probably photographed by longtime Keeler resident Lillian Hilderman).
8. 4x4 Drive to the Salt Tram summit in preparation for the next day's "Summit-to-Salt" hike (hey, I just gave it a nickname!).
9. Brian's desert-famous "Death Valley Chili" - the colon cleanser! (also not a Salt Tram bullet).
10. Summit-to-Salt Dayhike - with numerous observation objectives, a few of which were actually completed - see below. For a link to Corey's unlisted U-Tube video of the trip, click here.
11. Observation of the Temporary Tramway System from Chuckawalla Hollow Camp to Control Station I.
12. Brian and Mark hike up to the Zig Zag trail and put in fixed ropes to aid the hikers coming down from the Summit (Thanks, guys!).
13. Tim's desert-famous "Death Valley Burritos" (also not a Salt Tram bullet).
14. We can't end the list with lucky number 13, so I added this one: everybody got home - either driving, flying, or getting dropped off. Thanks to everyone who helped out on this trip! Awesome experience - again :-)

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Trip Observations: The trip observations are divided into two groups: observations from the thru-hike, and other non-thru-hike observations. Here we go:
A. Non-thru-Hiker Trip Observations

A1 - Find the Swansea petro site and explore? Done. Ironically, we became curious about these petros because of a historical Salt Tram photo that made reference to them! The photo mentions pictographs, rather than petroglyphs, but that still got our interest. We are not able to match the photo to the mountains in the area to see if we could identify where the photo was taken - that'll have to wait for another time. See photo below.

Also, thanks to Earl for meeting us at the petros to give us his take on these unusual petroglyphs. Part of what makes them unusual is that they are carved, not into heavily patinated volcanic rock, but a light marble-dolomite rock that gives them a different look from your more typical Death Valley-area petroglyph. Below: Earl at Swansea Petroglyph site.

You can find out a bit more about these petros online at these sites:
Harry Helms Blog   
Equinox Project
Reminder: the Swansea Petro site, like so many others, has been heavily vandalized and abused. Please respect this site. I know it sounds obvious, but don't walk on the petros, and certainly don't re-peck them, as has been done here. Sadly, the real damage was done to the site by a mining operations that used this site as a gravel quarry (so I've been told - I do not have independent confirmation of this, but it looks right).


A2 - Find the lower Salt Tram construction camps on the west side of the tram? Started. Found one (Flagstaff camp). See blog entry: Construction Camp: Flagstaff

A3 - Detailed exploration of the lower west side tramway and facilities? Progress made (area below CS IV). We explored the area shown on this map below, including the towering Station 31, which we measured to be 54 feet tall!

A4 - Find failed friction grip - uh, yeah? No (no time to look).

A5 - Examine temp tramway between Chuckawalla Hollow Camp and CS I? Extensive progress made.  
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B. Saturday Thru-Hiker Trip Observations (Alan, Jim, Fred, Corey, Alex). Brian notes tha the drive from the Summit Station to the base of the tram in Saline Valley took around 2 1/2 hrs. Brian and Mark left the summit at around 6:20am and arrived at around 9am at the base.  For the hike for my buddy Mark and I to fix the ropes at the top of the zig zag was around 3 1/2 hrs with a few rest breaks in the middle (Brian wasn't in his best "fighting shape", although Mark always is - he works out 5 days at week at 5am - discipline!). Tim and Corbett took 3 hours to make the same drive in our twin white Broncos!

B1 - Which Station has the wood water pipe next to it? Station 18.
B2 - Document anchorage of 1.25 inch (heavy) track cable and 7/8 inch (light) track cable between Summit Station and station to the East? Done, but awaiting photos from Alan Station 18 has 2 Weight Boxes which would tension the 2 track cables that go to the summit station; both Weight Boxes are sitting on the ground. The heavy track cable is still attached to its Weight Box, but the light track cable is not attached to its Weight Box. See photos. New Question: Station 18 Weight Box for 7/8 inch track cable is not attached - where is the detached cable?
B3 - Evaluate pack trail around the hump near “cut limb 14” waypoint on map? Did not find. Alan indicates no discernable trail at all. I’m surprised by this answer, as I've seen it several times, and its hard to believe its completely washed away. Its possible that Alan was either looking in the wrong place, or just didn’t have enough time to find it.
B4 - Hike from CS II to Station 13, 12, and 11 and identify trail in confused area? Did not make the hike.
B5 - Identify original trail on final approach to CS II from above? Did not have time.
B6 - Photos of “May Pole” (temp tramway structure) next to CS II from various angles? Done (awaiting photos from Alan).
B7 - Examine lower dump below CS II above trail? Did not have time.
B8 - Historical Zig Zag photo - recreate photo? No. Tried but ran out of time.
B9 - Structural integrity of CS II - photos? Done (Alan reports only 3 support beams below the station deck appear to have any damage whatsoever - a very small number). Awaiting photos from Alan.

BX. Bonus Question: which station (19 or 18) has all the extra track cable next to it - to the west (see photo below)? STATION 19.

Observation below Control Station IV:
We had a short amount of time to drive up the Swansea Grade and hike the newly discovered pack trail that ran from Control Station IV (CS IV) to the modern Swansea Grade Road below (note that the trailhead located at 36 33.630 117 54.023). We have a goal of making detailed observations of the entire Salt Tram route, and the newly discovered pack trail gave us a good reason to cover this area next. On previous occasions when we have hiked along the West side of the Salt Tram, we would find snippets of pack trails (single track) to go along with the numerous wagon (and auto) roads that were built to construct and maintain the tram. It slowly dawned on us that there was a pack trail along the entire West end of the Salt Tram. The extensive Salt Tram pack trail on the East end of the Inyo's existence is well known, if not well-defined! However, the pack trail's existence on the West side is probably known only to us. The diary of Cliff Patterson tells us that Cliff worked as the operator at CS IV when it first began operation in 1913, and it is likely that he used this pack trail extensively when he traveled between CS IV and Swansea. Knowing that we were walking along a trail extensively used by Cliff was exciting! 

We killed alot of time early in the day on other projects, and only had about 2.5 hours to spend on this activity, which was just not enough time to cover it all.  Below: view of the pack trail as it winds below CS IV (click to enlarge).

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A big thanks...

...goes out to you, all my team members for this incredible event we pulled off.   This was not the adventure I would have contemplated on my own, it clearly took all our efforts to bring it to fruition, climaxing to completion when all back safely at base camp by the next morning.

 To my team members: I truly meant it when I stated that this event will live in my memory for the rest of my life, all because you were standing with me, each in his/her own role to make success possible. 

In appreciation for what we all pulled off, I am truly grateful, my life sincerely enriched because of it.  I love each and every one of you. Wow, we did it! 

-- F. F.  PS: I'll shuttle "next year"

**********click to go to SALT TRAM HOME**********

Saline Valley Salt Company Stock Certificate Found!

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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Just got back (November 2010) from the Eastern California Museum, and got to actually hold the stock certificate, and I was thrilled! Tim on left posing with the lovely Roberta H. from the ECM. Also see the Friends of the Eastern California Museum website.

Dorothy, the donor of the certificate, hadn't thought to look on the back of the certificate. We knew there was something back there, because it bled through to the front! Here's a photo of the back, which isn't so great (click to enlarge), but some day I'll bring my scanner up to ECM and scan the back. Until then, this has gotta do:

Here's what the back of the stock certificate says:

For value Received, __________, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
______________
______________ Shares
of the Capital Stock represented by the within Certificate, 
and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
______________ Attorney
to transfer the said stock on the Books of the within named 
Corporation with full power of Substitution in the premises.
Dated__________________ 19___

In Presence of_____________
_____________

NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE 
FACE OF THIS CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

And finally, I was able to reverse the corporate seal, and was pleasantly surprised! It says "THE SALINE VALLEY SALT COMPANY" (that's not the surprise), followed by the corporate icon showing a sunrise over the Saline Valley, with piles of Salt in the Foreground! Awesome. Can't wait to scan it cleanly, the reproduce the logo! (click to enlarge).

Above is the logo that Laura Waag at Sidedoor Studios created from the imprint above it. This logo is on the Salt Tram T-Shirts - you should get one! Find out more by clicking here. 

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Update! November 1, 2011:
Just got home from Halloween in southern Calif., and found this in the mail! A scan from Dorothy! Thanks, Dorothy - this is an awesome contribution to vintage California History! (click to enlarge)

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We recently received an email from Dorothy of the state of Georgia, who inherited a Saline Valley Salt Company Stock Certificate from her grandfather 20 years ago! She was puzzled for all of these 20 years, until she found our website! Then it made sense! Her grandfather, from Tennessee, owned the certificate. Since we now know that Tennessee investors provided the bulk of the investment money to build the tram, it made sense that her relative from Tennessee would own the certificate! As far as we know, it is the only surviving Salt Tram stock certificate! We understand why Dorothy was initially confused: She lives in Georgia, inherited a SVSC stock certificate from her grandfather in Tennessee, from a company that was incorporated in Arizona and ran something called a Salt Tram in California! Dorothy is planning on having it scanned for us, then donated to the Eastern California Museum in Independence, California. For a more detailed account of our email discourse, see below: 

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2010.09.16: [Email correspondence from Dorothy from the state of Georgia] I just googled this company [Saline Valley Salt Company, we presume] for the first time, and found your website [this site], and your request for information.  I have a stock certificate, number 135, dated 6 May 1920, for 250 shares of this company, par value $1.00 each, made over to my grandfather, E. B. Houseal.  The secretary's signature looks looks like "Jno. M. Ray" and the president, "J. A. Goodman."  It's a good-looking stock certificate.  I could not figure out how my grandfather would know about such a company, since he lived in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1920.  I have only skimmed over a couple of articles so far, but have already found a reference from a 1910 newspaper article referring to Tennessee investors, and in another to a "go-devil," [for more information on the origins of the Salt Tram's Go-Devil, click on this link Go Devil] a term my grandmother used - she grew up in the Texas panhandle on an early cotton farm (1900 or so).  From her description, I thought of it as a plow, but now I think it was something used to clear land. I inherited the certificate about 20 years ago, but was unable to find out much at the time.  This was before I had access to the World Wide Web!!!  This is so interesting!  Thanks for the information, Dorothy, Georgia. 

2010.09.16: [Email correspondence from Dorothy from the state of Georgia] I am confused.  The Saline Valley Salt Company stock certificate I have says the company was incorporated in Arizona on 16 June 1903.  Was this an Arizona company or a California company, or both? [Answer: Incorporated in Arizona but operated in California; held board meetings in Arizona, probably as required by law?] 

2010.09.17: [Email correspondence from Dorothy from the state of Georgia]... I will investigate scanning the certificate, etc. Dorothy

2010.10.18: [Email correspondence from Dorothy from the state of Georgia]... I dropped the stock certificate off at a local photographer's to get a "high resolution scan" on a disk, which I am prepared to mail to you this week. After I make myself a photocopy, I think I'll take your advice and donate it to the Eastern California museum in Independence, California.  Do you have contact information for the museum?  Since no one here has any idea of the history involved, I suspect it would eventually get lost one way or another, as so many artifacts do - water, fire, landfill.  This has been a lot of fun, Thanks, Dorothy, Georgia.

2010.19.21: [Email correspondence from Jon Klusmire, Museum Services Administrator, Eastern California Museum, Independence, Calif.] Ms. Dorothy *****: The Eastern California Museum would be delighted to have you donate your family's stock certificate for the Saline Valley Salt Company. We have a substantial collection of photos, documents and some artifacts from the mining operation and the stock certificate would be a nice addition to our collection. I'm sure that you could simply mail the certificate to the Museum (maybe put it between two piece of light cardboard), and when we receive it, we will provide you a confirmation of your donation and other necessary paperwork to complete the donation. Our mailing address is: jklusmire@inyocounty.us 

2010.10.27: [Email correspondence from Dorothy from the state of Georgia] Tim, I need an address so I can send the disc to you, it's ready to go.  I have sent the original stock certificate to Joh Klusmire, who contacted me recently via email.  Yours, Dorothy ------
[We emailed Dorothy back, and thanked her profusely for her donation of the stock certificate to the Eastern California Museum, and for the scan of the stock certificate for us; we will post the stock certificate on this website as soon as we receive the scan of it - yeah! 

2010.10.27: [Email correspondence from Dorothy from the state of Georgia]  Tim, the newspaper clipping is great! [Dorothy is referring to the image at the end of this post].  Thanks so much.  My address is ... Georgia.  The disc will arrive inside the photog's envelope. We were in San Luis Obispo many years ago, and stayed at that inn Madonna Inn [Tim lives in SLO, Calif. and takes any chance he can get to promote the town!].  Unforgettable!  Gosh, that was 20 years ago.  I hope we can get out West at least one more time.  I am deeply involved in researching my family history ...  I have an MA in history and have done a lot of historical research and writing.  Perhaps when I've gotten more of my family history completed, I can help you out with historical research on the Saline Valley Salt Co..  Just ask me what you want to know, and I'll try to find out.  The internet is a wonderful thing ... put me on your [Salt Tram] mailing list ... Till later, Dorothy...     

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Replica of Stock Certificate Available 

If you would like a replica of the Saline Valley Salt Company stocker certificate, reply to SalineValleySaltTram@gmail.com and one will be sent to you - a high quality color on antique-style parchment, with a write-up on the backabout the the Friends of the Saline Valley Salt Tram organization and the person who made the donation of the stock certificate - they are $8 including shipping, which is our cost to print and mail them to you).     

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Originally, I didn't have any images for this blog post, but wanted to put something up, so I went with this private ad that was run in the Inyo Register. I can't put my finger on the date it ran (although I do have the date somewhere), but it was somewhere in the  Salt Tram construction time period, since the ad indicates that the tramway was still being built: (click to enlarge)

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