The Old Tempiute Mine and ghost town is located only six miles southeast of Rachel, on the south slope of Tempiute Mountain. Old Tempiute is a silver mining camp from the late 1800's, not to be confused with the newer Lincoln Mine, often also referred to as Tempiute Mine. The Lincoln Mine on the north side of the mountain produced tungsten from 1930 on-and-off until the mid 1980's.

When silver was first discovered in Tempiute Mountain in 1865 a small mining camp got started. New discoveries in 1868 attracted more miners, and by the end of the 1870's the camp had reached a population of about 50. It even had its own post office from 1879 until 1883. However, growth was limited by the absence of water, which had to be brought in from the valley. After 1883 most miners moved on, and the camp was virtually deserted until tungsten was found in 1916.

Today there are some interesting foundations of stone cabins left, and some mine shafts in various stages of decay. Access to some of the foundations is possible with most vehicles (see directions below). To get to the mine entrance shown below, park your vehicle at the end of the main road and hike up the old road past the gate. After a moderately steep 0.6-mile hike you will see the mine on the left.

The road continues for another 0.35 miles, in parts steep uphill, to a ridge where you have a spectacular view over both Tikaboo and Sand Spring Valley. The view from up there is well worth the moderately strenuous hike.

There is a second part of the camp, if you take the left fork at 1.35 miles in the directions below. However, the road is in poor condition, and access may be difficult.

Directions

From Rachel turn right onto Hwy 375 south. After 4.0 miles, at mile marker LN 13.6, a dirt road leads east towards Tempiute Mountain. Turn left onto that dirt road. After 1.35 miles you come to a fork; keep right. At 2.35 miles from the highway you see the first foundations of old mining cabins. At 2.6 miles you come to a small parking area. Leave your car here and hike up to the mine on the old road to your left. The mine is about 0.6 miles past the gate. From here the road leads steep uphill for another 0.35 miles to the view spot mentioned above.
Suitable for most cars up to the gate.

GPS Coordinates

This is where the silver ore was loaded up on wagons for the transport down to the main road. [Early June 1999]

Entrance to the Tempiute Mine. The tracks lead deep inside the mine. [Early June 1999]

Foundations of an old miner's cabin below the mine. [Early June 1999]