Overview:
Situated on the Southwesterly edge of Shoshone, CA. is the "ghost town" of Dublin Gulch. When one envisions a ghost town, they typically think of long abandoned and dilapidated buildings made from either wood, stone or brick. Dublin Gulch, unlike other "well known" ghost towns has very few surviving remnants: scattered around are "trash piles" of rusted tin cans with broken glass, a "very old" rustic two seat outhouse and not much else, with one "noteworthy exception".



Starting in the 1920s miners carved dwellings (caves) in the Caliche (sedimentary rock) embankments that define Dublin Gulch. With little building materials available in the area, these caves had four great benefits: (1) they were rent free (2) warm in the winter (3) cool in the summer and (4) utilized minimal building materials. Some of the dwellings featured stovepipe chimneys (still visible) and there was even a garage carved into the gulch's rock embankment. Others dwellings had openings allowing communication between rooms or adjacent caves, while some had sleeping platforms excavated from the walls. One occupant (during the 1960s) set up an array of adjustable mirrors which reflected sunlight onto butcher paper that was attached to the ceiling of his dwelling, providing light and heat.

After the local mines ran dry and miners went elsewhere it is said that hobos and hippies moved in and rumor suggests that some of the Manson Clan lived in Dublin Gulch for a time. Fact or fiction, the Dublin Gulch caves were inhabited up until the 1970s. Today, many of the dwelling entrances are "boarded up" with locked doors, some of which have "windows" allowing a peak inside (bring a flashlight). A few of the dwellings remain open allowing access and a closer look.

In summary, the cave dwellings of Dublin Gulch provide an excellent look into "small portion" of California's and the Mojave Desert's mining history: showcasing the resourcefulness, creativity and hard life that the miners endured. Please do not deface any found artifacts or the dwellings themselves.

  
...Dublin Gulch
  
...Dublin Gulch
  

Information / Tips:
Bring plenty of water / snacks, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Dogs are allowed on leash. DON'T forget your camera / flashlight.
..........
•  Food, Restroom, Fuel: nearby
   (fuel is very expensive)
•  Shoshone Cemetery
   (adjacent to Dublin Gulch)
•  Fees: none
•  not ADA accessible
   (a few dwellings are visible from
    the westerly parking area: WP2)
•  No Shade
•  No Water Available
   (at Dublin Gulch)

Warning:
This adventure involves travel thru a relatively remote area, please refer to the section on desert travel for safety information. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a fully pressurized spare tire.
•  Be mindful of lightning / flash floods
•  Watch for snakes
•  LIMITED or NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE
•  AVOID THE AREA DURING EXTREME HEAT
•   You are responsible for your own safety

Trail Directions:
Other than the short gravel road for individuals who decide to walk into the Dublin Gulch area (see Driving Directions below) there is no established trail system in this area. This a place to wander around, explore the miner's dwellings and marvel at the ingenuity of those who came before us.

Driving Directions:
From the intersection of CA-178 and CA-127 (located just South of "downtown" Shoshone, CA) proceed North (towards Death Valley Jct) on CA-127 traveling a short 350 feet+- and turn Left (Westerly) into a large gravel parking area (located on the West side of CA-127) to the vicinity of the Shoshone Cemetery and WP1. From WP1 follow a "single lane" gravel road Westerly (along the cemeteries Southern boundary) for 0.2 miles+- to a second "smaller" gravel parking area at WP2 (parking for the miner's dwellings). Approx. 84.6 miles from central Vegas Strip via Pahrump, NV and Shoshone, CA to WP2 and the historic Dublin Gulch Miner's Cave Dwellings.
..........
Note: the "single lane" gravel road (not regularly maintained) between WP1 and WP2 can be accessed by most medium clearance vehicles (if driven carefully). Be on the lookout for rocks, especially as the road crosses a "very shallow" dry wash (small exposed rock ledges) near WP2. For drivers unable / unwilling to drive the gravel road between WP1 and WP2 it is a short and easy walk (along the road) to the miner's dwellings (use your own judgment).



WP1:    N35.97370  W116.27073

WP2:    N35.97345  W116.27407

Note:
See desert travel for GPS Waypoint info
All distances and waypoints are approximate