Crowley Lake in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Hilton Creek Mines

Photographed by Alec Clowes, October 2, 2026

1. Hilton Creek Mines Marker

Inscription. West of here, near the summit of McGee Mountain, the Hilton Creek tungsten mines (Nicoll Hilton Creek Mine, Phelps Hilton Creek Mine, and Filipelli Prospect) were discovered in June 1940 by Cecil Thorington, Morris Harlan, and Raymond W. Phelps. Their claims, located near 11,000 foot summit along Hilton Creek, further prompted other prospectors into this region. Daniel M. Nicoll of Bishop, California worked the Nicole Hilton Creek Mine, east of Nevahbe Ridge in Hilton Creek Canyon. By 1954 approximately 7,000 tons of tungsten were extracted.

In 1951, Gerald B. Hartley and Lawson A. Wright began operations at the Phelps Hilton Creek Mine. completed improvements to the road, and shipped over 100 tons of ore to the US Vanadium Corporation in Bishop, California for processing. In 1955, the Filipelli Prospect (1,000 feet north of the Nicoll Hilton Creek Mine) was operational, producing quartz, copper, calcite, and fine-grade scheelite. lowever, no ore was reportedly shipped, and the grade was not known. Although its existence was brief, the Hilton Creek Mines made a lasting contribution to the development of Mono County,

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and today, remnants can still be seen along the western summit of the ridge.

Erected 2023 by E Clampus Vitus Bodie Chapter No. 64.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1940.

Location. 37° 34.204′ N, 118° 45.286′ W. Marker is in Crowley Lake, California, in Mono County. It is at the intersection of Crowley Lake Drive and Hilton Creek Trail, on the left when traveling north on Crowley Lake Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mammoth Lakes CA 93546, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on 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 14 miles of this marker, measured

Photographed by Alec Clowes, October 2, 2026

2. Hilton Creek Mines Marker

as the crow flies: A different marker also named Crowley Lake (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Crowley Lake (approx. 0.4 miles away); McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34 (approx. 2½ miles away); Tragedy at Convict Lake (approx. 5.6 miles away); Convict Lake (approx. 5.6 miles away); Owens Valley (approx. 9 miles away); Casa Diablo (approx. 10 miles away); Pine Creek Mine (approx. 13.3 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Crowley Lake (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Alec Clowes, October 2, 2026

3. Hilton Creek Mines Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026, by Alec Clowes of Mammoth Lakes, California. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2026, by Alec Clowes of Mammoth Lakes, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.