Yesterday, I mentioned what Hayden Hill was like in 1974. If you are thinking of making a trip there in the near future, think again. In. 1991, Amex Gold, Inc. formed Lassen Gold Mining which mined Hayden Hill from 1992-1997. Actually, the mountain was obliterated. The entire mountain is fenced off to the public.
As a Lassen County Planning Commissioner I had the opportunity to inspect Hayden Hill in the fall of 2010. The property is still under a reclamation process, which is secured with bonds deposited with the County of Lassen. The County Planning Department and ultimately the Planning Commission oversees the process—hence the opportunity for my visit.
One area that remained unscathed from the mining operations as stipulated in the use permit was the Hayden Hill Cemetery. It is interesting to note that the juniper tree in the photograph above taken in 1909, was still there in 2010. One item that caught my interest, I spotted the entrance to the Golden Eagle Mine. I was surprised for I thought for sure it would have been obliterated. Alas, taking of photographs was prohibited and a very attentive representative of Lassen Gold Mining was not going to allow me to roam around.
On a side note, when we had departed from Hayden Hill through the locked gates, we saw a vehicle approaching. It turns out they came to see the ghost town indicated in their AAA travel book.