Sierra Nevada - Morgan Creek

I have visited the Morgan Creek/Morgan Pass area several times. The first time was December 31, 1966-January 2, 1967 when we got permission to snowshoe up the mine road from the Union Carbide Pine Creek Tungsten Mine/Mill.

The group included Don Deck, Bob Johnson, Tim McSweeney, Joe Feeney, Philip Lord, Chris Skinner, Allan D'Abadie, Mike Capistran, Steve Palash, Skip Anderson, George Pasek, Roy Wagner, Jim Wilson, Bill Jennings, George Basich, George Benson, Wendell Stewart and Gil Beilke.

We left San Diego at 1:15 p.m. and were in bed at Bishop by 9:30 p.m. Up at 6 a.m. for breakfast and on the trail by 10 a.m.

We hiked 2-1/2 miles up the road from the Union Carbide Mill on Pine Creek (8000') to the Zero Adit of Pine Creek Mine (9500'). This was the top of the tramway which carried ore down to the mill. At some point they connected the mine underground to the mill. Not sure if that had been done at this point in time.

We then snowshoed 2-1/2 miles to the old settling ponds for the upper mine (10,700') and camped. The original mine had multiple levels with an extensive development at this location. It was reached by a road up Rock Creek and over Morgan Pass. See The Story of the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine for more information.

Over time they connected the upper and lower mines underground, eliminating the need for the upper camp which was eventually torn down.

Up at 6 a.m. on New Year's Day we ate breakfast and headed on snowshoes at 10 am toward the Adamson Mine (12,000') See The Adamson Mine for more information. On the way up we stopped at a major mine entrance portal for snacks. I believe this was an original entrance to the upper Pine Creek mine before they were connected underground.

We continued, following the snow covered road, to an upper group of mines which I believe were the lower workings of the Adamson mine which is high on the ridge. These may have been separate claims, however. There was an open old building here with a few furnishings. We explored the area and then headed down to camp (5 mile round trip).

Up the next day and on our way down by 10 a.m. Made the cars about 1:15 p.m. and on the way home by 2 p.m. Home in San Diego by 9:30 p.m.

Beautiful weather - not a cloud - some wind on Sunday - wonderful trip. Total distance 15 mile round trip.

Morgan Creek New Year 1966-67 Snowshoe  Route Map
The RED line is the hiking/snowshoeing route to camp. The GREEN line is the day trip snowshoe route to the Adamson Mine
Hiking up the Union Carbide Mine Road following Morgan Creek
Hiking up the Union Carbide Mine Road following Morgan Creek
Hiking up the Union Carbide Mine Road following Morgan Creek
Hiking up the Union Carbide Mine Road following Morgan Creek

Upper tram terminal, Union Carbide Mine, Morgan Creek
Upper tram terminal, Union Carbide Mine, Morgan Creek
Looking up Morgan Creek toward Morgan Pass as we approached campsite
Looking up Morgan Creek toward Morgan Pass as we approached campsite

Looking up Morgan Creek toward Morgan Pass near our campsite
Looking up Morgan Creek toward Morgan Pass near our campsite
Heading up on day hike to area below Adamson Mine
Heading up on day hike to area below Adamson Mine

Heading up on day hike to area below Adamson Mine
Heading up on day hike to area below Adamson Mine
Following road up canyon toward area below Adamson Mine
Following road up canyon toward area below Adamson Mine

Looking back toward upper Morgan Creek
Looking back toward upper Morgan Creek
Looking back toward upper Morgan Creek
Looking back toward upper Morgan Creek

Inside cabin at lower mines below Adamson Mine
Inside cabin at lower mines below Adamson Mine

View of nearby peak from cabin
View of nearby peak from cabin
View of nearby peak from cabin
View of nearby peak from cabin

View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin

View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin

View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin

Icicle in cabin
Icicle in cabin
View down canyon from cabin
View down canyon from cabin

View down canyon on the way back to camp
View down canyon on the way back to camp

On the way out
On the way out
The Adamson Mine ultimately became part of the Union Carbide Pine Creek Mine complex. This Sierra Club Sierra Peaks Section 2000 report discribes the area.

The Adamson Mine was discovered in 1939. First production was in 1942. Workings include surface and underground openings comprised of a 1,300 foot main adit and 1,600 feet of level workings plus some open cuts. Production statistics: Year: 1943 (period = 1942-1943): 41,000 tons of ore. Year: 1957 (period = 1954-1957): 68,400 tons of ore. Tungsten ore mined after 1959 was included with that from the Pine Creek Mine.

This Story of the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine provides a lot of history and pictures.

See also this 1977 summer backpack trip via Morgan Pass.