Near Randsburg in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Paso Mountain Range

Gold Mining District

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 7, 2025

1. El Paso Mountain Range Marker

Inscription.

El Paso Mountain Range. Gold Mining District. , The El Paso Mountain Range holds some of the richest gold-bearing dirt in the region. Goler Gulch, Benson Gulch, Reed Gulch, Bonanza Gulch/Last Chance Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and many other canyons. Enjoy the beauty of this historical area! , , The first mining stories out of the El Paso Mountains in the Western Mojave talk of discoveries in the narrow canyon known as Goler Canyon or Goler Gulch. There are many different versions of the original story. The most popular tells of John Goler crossing over the arid Mojave Desert after surviving the horrors of Death Valley in 1849. Weakened from thirst and hunger, Goler and companion found a few gold nuggets as they were looking for water. Supposedly, they were so afraid of Indians they hurried away, but had time to leave his gun to mark the spot where he had found the nuggets. When he was safe and sound in Los Angeles he began displaying the gold and a small map where he supposedly found them. Future investors were told there would be no problem locating Goler's potential gold mine because of that gun he had left standing on the hill at the mouth of the canyon. , , Goler's Lost Gold , Goler and a man named Grant P. Cuddeback set out with a well-equipped party of men to find the fast-becoming famous canyon. Unfortunately, the Mojave Desert turned out to be riddled with many canyons that fit the description of the one on Goler's map, and no gun could be found at the entrance to any of them. The now disgruntled party returned to Los Angeles, none the richer for their efforts. Still positive he could rediscover the area where he had found his gold nuggets, Goler organized another party, only to be disappointed a second time. Over time many rich gold deposits were discovered throughout the area! , , Today, several gold prospecting clubs and private owners hold claim to many gold-bearing properties throughout the area. (Joining a Gold Prospecting Club is a fun way to look for gold yourself!) This district was also mined quite extensively during the Great Depression. Some of the miners even brought their families with them. Old photographs show pupils with their teacher in Goler Gulch. When you see piles of old rusty cans, you are looking at history. They camped near where they were digging for gold. , , randdesertmuseum.com · redmtnkellysilver.com · oc49er.com · wepcgoldclub.com · spma-gold.org · prospectorsclub.org · taftprospectors.com · www.hidesertgolddiggers.org · valleyprospectors.org · goldprospectors.org

The El Paso Mountain Range holds some of the richest gold-bearing dirt in the region. Goler Gulch, Benson Gulch, Reed Gulch, Bonanza Gulch/Last Chance Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and many other canyons. Enjoy the beauty of this historical area!

The first mining stories out of the El Paso Mountains in the Western Mojave talk of discoveries in the narrow canyon known as Goler Canyon or Goler Gulch. There are many different versions of the original story. The most popular tells of John Goler crossing over the arid Mojave Desert after surviving the horrors of Death Valley in 1849. Weakened from thirst and hunger, Goler and companion found a few gold nuggets as they were looking for water. Supposedly, they were so afraid of Indians they hurried away, but had time to leave his gun to mark the spot where he had found the nuggets. When he was safe and sound in Los Angeles he began displaying the gold and a small map where he supposedly found them. Future investors were told there would be no problem locating Goler's potential gold mine because of that gun he had left standing on the hill at the mouth of the canyon.

Goler's Lost Gold
Goler and a man named Grant P. Cuddeback set out with a well-equipped party of men to find the fast-becoming famous canyon. Unfortunately, the Mojave Desert

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turned out to be riddled with many canyons that fit the description of the one on Goler's map, and no gun could be found at the entrance to any of them. The now disgruntled party returned to Los Angeles, none the richer for their efforts. Still positive he could rediscover the area where he had found his gold nuggets, Goler organized another party, only to be disappointed a second time. Over time many rich gold deposits were discovered throughout the area!

Today, several gold prospecting clubs and private owners hold claim to many gold-bearing properties throughout the area. (Joining a Gold Prospecting Club is a fun way to look for gold yourself!) This district was also mined quite extensively during the Great Depression. Some of the miners even brought their families with them. Old photographs show pupils with their teacher in Goler Gulch. When you see piles of old rusty cans, you are looking at history. They camped near where they were digging for gold.

randdesertmuseum.com · redmtnkellysilver.com · oc49er.com · wepcgoldclub.com · spma-gold.org · prospectorsclub.org · taftprospectors.com · www.hidesertgolddiggers.org · valleyprospectors.org · goldprospectors.org

Erected by The Owl Cafe.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

El Paso Mountain Range and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 7, 2025

2. El Paso Mountain Range and Marker

• Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 35° 22.712′ N, 117° 39.132′ W. Marker is near Randsburg, California, in Kern County. It is on Redrock Randsburg Road south of U.S. 395, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 58-54 Redrock Randsburg Rd, Johannesburg CA 93528, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Yellow Aster Mine (approx. ¼ mile away); Fiddler’s Gulch (approx. 0.6 miles away); Yellow Aster Gold Mine (approx. 0.7 miles away); Randsburg, California (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Commercial Hotel (approx. ¾ mile away); Rand Desert Museum (approx. ¾ mile away); Rand Mining District (approx. ¾ mile away); White House Saloon (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Randsburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 142 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.