Anza-Borrego North: Mines & Geology

Photo of the Truckhaven Rocks at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains
Truckhaven Rocks

The major faults in Anza-Borrego north are the Coyote Fault and the Clark Fault. They are part of the San Jacinto Fault Zone which is a branch of the San Andreas Fault.

Of geological interest are the Truckhaven Rocks (pictured above) and the Lute Fault Scarp.

Mining has attracted people to the Santa Rosas for a long time. The Cahuilla went to Wonderstone Wash to collect stones for various purposes including the making of arrowheads.

At the head of Rockhouse Canyon, the Nichola Swartz mine is said to have yielded $10,000 in gold nuggets, a lot of money at the time.

Hikers through Palo Verde Wash, often on the way to the Natural Rock Tanks near Smoke Tree Canyon, taking the Wonderstone Trail past the entrance to the Moly Mine. Why it is called Moly and what was mined there aren't known for sure.

Perhaps the best-known mine in the Santa Rosa Mountains is the Calcite Mine.