These Canyons Are Full of Ghosts: The Last of the Death Valley Prospectors

by Emmett C. Harder

Nowadays tourists from all over the world travel to Death Valley but most all of them never see the romantic and mysterious badlands, the south end of the valley. This area is off the beaten path, remote and dangerous! This book is about the gold hunters that loved to search the southern wastelands, the high hills and deep canyons, come hell or high water. It is about their last days, an era lost forever. The whole valley is off limits now for prospecting. No longer can you hear the distant sound of dynamite nor will you see men or women in tattered denim clothes, with pick and shovel, working their mining claims. However in these pages you can step back to when they were there, and share their excitement and share their dreams--and you will be sure to strike it rich!

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Eric B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book. It's really a collection of stories that give a glimpse of the author's experiences while prospecting in the Panamint Range during the 50's and 60's. Very easy reading and to me, interesting.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly edited but nevertheless an interesting collection of anecdotes about the author's prospecting days in the southern area of Death Valley before it became a national park.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting anecdotes but not connected.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a book I would normally chose to read, but I found myself fascinated by the characters who inhabit an area of California most would think is uninhabited. Very interesting and informative. Will reread!

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairly well written. Lots of good stories about the characters that lived and prospected in the southern Death Valley region in the years running up to the area becoming a National Park.