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Zinc Hill / Darwin Falls
Zinc Hill, Darwin Falls, China Garden, and Millers Spring are the most popular destinations in this section of the Argus Range. Scattered throughout the area are mining ruins. There are also lots of donkeys in the area (so watch where you step). Zinc Hill is only 5584 feet above sea level, but it provides a great view of the northern end of Panamint Valley. Darwin Falls is sixty feet high and there are other impressive falls in the canyon as well. (Click here for map of area)
Darwin Area (May 2010)    Quick view of trip pics
  1. Crowley Monument - Information about Father John J. Crowley.
  2. Argus Range - Looking south towards Argus Range from Crowley Point.
  3. Lake Hill - Northern Panamint Valley as seen from Crowley Point.
  4. Windy Road - Road winding up from Panamint Springs.
  5. Military Jet #1 - Fighter flying through gorge below Crowley Point.
  6. Military Jet #2 - Another view of military fighter plane.
  7. Military Jet #3 - Uncropped image containing military jet.
  8. Mono Penstemon #1 - Lots of these blooming in the Darwin Area.
  9. Mono Penstemon #2 - Close up views of flowers in DV Plants section of this website.
  10. Darwin Monument - Information about history of the town of Darwin.
  11. Darwin Intersection - Stop sign and snow-covered Sierra Nevada peaks.
  12. Snowy Peaks - Looking west from just north of Ophir Mountain.
  13. Darwin #1 - Looking down on Darwin from Ophir Mountain.
  14. Darwin #2 - Old buildings including Quonset hut.
  15. Telescope - Argus Range in foreground and Panamint Range in background.
  16. Sierra Nevadas - More snowy peaks over Owens Valley.
  17. Ophir Mountain - The peak with Argus Range in the background.
  18. Mine Cabin #1 - Cabin north of Ophir Mountain.
  19. Mine Cabin #2 - Another view of cabin.
  20. Headframe - Headframe above vertical shaft.
  21. Tailings Pile - Large tailings pile at bottom of wash.
  22. Ruins - Three vertical shafts, two headframes, and one stone cabin.
  23. Mine Cabin #3 - Another view of cabin and headframe.
  24. Lupine - Group of lupine plants.
  25. Desert Pincushion - Group of desert pincushion plants.
  26. Pack Rat - Small rodent hiding under rusty scrap metal.
  27. Darwin #3 - Old abandoned buildings.
  28. Darwin #4 - Another look at abandoned portion of town.
  29. Darwin Dance Hall - Main intersection in middle of inhabited part of town.
  30. Yellow Truck - Old water truck parked in Darwin.
  31. Pumping Station - Darwin Wash pumping station.
  32. Yerba Mansa - Attractive plants growing at Millers Spring.
  33. Prince's Plume - Another group of interesting plants at Millers Spring.
  34. Desert Five Spot - Close look at interior of flower.
  35. Zinc Hill - View of the west side of Zinc Hill.
  36. Dusty Maidens - Close look at flowers of the dusty maiden.
  37. Rosy Boa #1 - Rosy Boa in canyon near foot of Argus Range.
  38. Rosy Boa #2 - Closer look at Rosy Boa.
  39. Lilac Sunbonnet - Close look at dot patterns of petals of a lilac sunbonnet.
  40. Circular Etching - Was this caused by lichen or what?
Zinc Hill (May 2009)    Quick view of trip pics
  1. Ore Loader - Ore loader on road to Darwin.
  2. Yerba Mansa #1 - Yerba Mansa plants at Millers Spring.
  3. Water Cress - Water Cress at Millers Spring.
  4. Yerba Mansa #2 - Anemopsis californica in the Lizard's-Tail Family!
  5. Yerba Mansa #3 - The roots are said to have a peppery taste!
  6. Millers Spring - Well and lots of Yerba Mansa!
  7. China Garden #1 - Fish in pond at China Garden Spring.
  8. China Garden #2 - Closer look at fish!
  9. Mine Building - Someone covered up the graffiti!
  10. Old Car - Rusty remains of some old gelapi.
  11. China Garden #3 - Cottonwood trees, brick wall, and vegetation.
  12. Mine Structure - Mine structure and road at foot of Zinc Hill.
  13. Ore Shute #1 - Ore shute at end of upper road.
  14. Ore Shute #2 - Another view of upper ore shute.
  15. Ground Cherry #1 - Interesting seed pods.
  16. Ground Cherry #2 - Another view of seed pods.
  17. Ore Shute #3 - Looking down ore shute.
  18. Blazing Star - Flower of Argus Blazing Star plant.
  19. Zinc Hill View #1 - Looking south towards French Madam.
  20. Lichen - I like lichen!!!
  21. Zinc Hill View #2 - Darwin is lost in the distance and the haze.
  22. Winter Fat - Fuzzy little plant!
  23. Hedgehog Cactus - Magenta blooms at top of Zinc Hill.
  24. Horny Toad - Horny toad near top of Zinc Hill.
Darwin Falls (2002)    Quick view of trip pics
  1. Donkey - A lone donkey along the road about half way between Darwin Falls and the town of Darwin.
  2. Eggs - Some toad eggs which squirted out of a toad when it was picked up. (Don't let anyone tell you it's caviar!)
  3. Under the Falls - A couple kids swam out under the falls. The pool is usually about six feet deep right beneath the falls.
  4. Toad - A closeup of a toad being held in someone's hands.
  5. Climbing Rocks - Getting to the main falls, from the top or the bottom, is pretty easy, but may require a little easy rock climbing.
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