It’s always fun poking around old mines, especially in areas where gold has been found.
We took advantage of the warm December weather and explored several spots in the Notch Peak Mining District (https://www.mindat.org/loc-38251.html) in Utah’s West Desert. We found the Amasa Valley particularly interesting. It is at a relatively high elevation (7800 ft) and has springs and small streams, which is rare for the West Desert. It was fun driving the rough dirt roads (4x4 recommended) and viewing relics from the mining era. We were in an SUV. The area offers great ATV trails.
Gold and titanium were found in some area mines, along with various other less significant minerals. People still pan for gold in area washes and in the mine tailings, and occasionally find flakes. There are active mine claims in the area and you need to carefully avoid them, but plenty of interesting spots that are not under active claim.
We did not come to pursue gold. Didn’t have the time or equipment to pan. Rather, I hoped to find quartz rocks. I’ve heard of people finding larger pieces, and some terminated quartz crystals in the area. We found veins of quartz in the granite, and plenty of small pieces lying around, but nothing spectacular.
This was my first time venturing into this area, and we had fun reconnoitering – getting to know the lay of the land. This is a great destination if you enjoy learning about and exploring old mines and/or rockhounding. There is a lot of stuff to learn about and see in Amasa Vally, in North Canyon, and in other canyons that probe the Notch Peak Wilderness area.
I’ll be back.
The Amasa Valley is about 55 miles west of Delta, on the north side of Notch Peak. US Hwy 6/50 skirts the area to the south and Old Highway 6 and 50 cuts across to the north. Access roads up the canyons and into Amasa Valley can be steep and rocky. You can drive some in a crossover-type vehicle but others require high clearance four-wheel-drive.
Amasa Valley receives considerable rain/snow and roads may not be passable during winter.
There are many great primitive camping spots in the area. Spring and fall are great months to camp here but summer can also be pleasant due to his relatively high elevation and tree cover (pines, with some quakes around streams and springs).
The West Desert is big, rugged, desolate country with long distances between towns and gas stations. There are no services available in the Notch Peak area. From Hinckley, UT, heading west, it is about 83 miles to the next gas station (at the Border Inn, on the Nevada border).
Cell service fades as you drive into the backcountry. If you explore here, take maps and emergency gear.
Dave Webb, December, 2025