Red Cloud Mine

Silver Mining District, La Paz County, Arizona, USA

Key Information

Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.

The Red Cloud Mine is in the Trigo Mountains, La Paz County, Arizona, 212 miles southwest of Phoenix, known for wulfenite crystals.
It produces rare minerals like wulfenite and vanadinite, with wulfenite being world-famous for quality.
The geological structure is a fault zone with granite and volcanic rocks, forming minerals through hydrothermal processes.
Mining started in 1878, was active from 1881 to 1889, and now allows public collecting, with a rich history of ownership changes.
The area has a desert culture, attracting mineral enthusiasts, with a quirky connection to Apollo moon landing hoax theories.
The Sonoran Desert climate is hot and arid, influencing mineral formation and collection activities.

Geographic Location

The Red Cloud Mine sits in the Trigo Mountains of La Paz County, Arizona, about 212 miles southwest of Phoenix and 51 miles north of Yuma. It’s accessible via Red Cloud Mine Road from Martinez Lake, immersing visitors in the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Nearby, Martinez Lake and other mineral sites like North Geronimo Mine and Melisssa Mine add to the region’s allure for collectors.

Minerals Produced

This mine is renowned for its wulfenite crystals, celebrated for their vibrant orange-red hues and tabular shapes, making them highly sought after globally. It also yields vanadinite, fluorite, galena, sphalerite, baryte, calcite, cerussite, hemimorphite, mimetite, and quartz, offering a diverse mineral treasure trove for enthusiasts.

Geological Structure

The mine’s geology features a fault zone separating granite to the west from volcanic rocks like andesite, tuff, and rhyolite to the east. Minerals form in the brecciated and fractured zones along this fault, particularly at intersections, through hydrothermal processes, creating ideal conditions for the famous wulfenite deposits.

Mining History

Discovered in 1878 by Warren Hammond, the mine was actively mined for silver and lead from 1881 to 1889. It changed hands multiple times, with notable owners including Red Cloud Mining Co. and Colorado Calumet Co., Inc., which operated it from 2001 to 2003. Today, it welcomes the public for collecting, preserving its legacy as a key mineral locality.

Local Culture and Characteristics

The Red Cloud Mine area is steeped in mining history, with tales of early miners and their rugged lives. Its remote desert setting attracts adventure-seeking mineral collectors, fostering a vibrant community. A quirky local legend ties the area to Apollo moon landing hoax theories, adding a layer of intrigue to the experience.

Climate and Ecology

Located in the Sonoran Desert, the mine experiences a hot, arid climate with summers often exceeding 80°F (27°C), challenging for outdoor activities. The desert supports unique flora and fauna adapted to these conditions, and the climate has shaped the mineral formation, making it a fascinating blend of natural and geological wonders.