Leaving the Amargosa River behind, a side trip will take you up the China Ranch Wash. Along the way are the ruins of an old rock house with a pole and dirt roof.

In 2001, restoration work began on this structure. Once it's completed, we'll add some updated pictures.

If you've looked into the wash, and it's not been raining, the small creek you saw is the outflow from Willow Springs area.

China Ranch Wash continues past the date farm, then turns southeast, and climbs up towards the Noonday Mine area.

The walk is going straight up the trail, past the date shop and up to the site of Acme. If you need the rest, stop a the shop first. A date shake will cool you off just fine!

Two additional views of the Ruins.
These are located about one-half of the
way between China Ranch and the River.

 
Surrounded by tall Cottonwood and Willow trees, the China Ranch Date Farm occupies much of the arable area of China Ranch Wash.

Seen from the Mesa Trail is the ranch house and the older growth date trees. New lines of Dates are being planted, and the ranch offers many types for your selection.

Water for irrigating the trees is derived from the Willow Springs area. Willow Springs is located about 1/2 mile further up the wash in the left of the photograph.

At one time there was a dam and pool at the springs, complete with shaded picnic area and a diving board/ramp. Nearby, there still is a shady grove for you to rest up for the remainder of the walk.

 
Heading back towards the resumption of the Amargosa Canyon walk, the roadbed falls away down China Ranch Wash and alongside Willow Creek. Looking down the sides of the railroad's embankment the remains of some 1920's and 1930's automobiles can be seen.

The visitor's area of China Ranch is about 270 feet above the level of the Amargosa River. Quite a climb for the locomotives of the Tonopah and Tidewater, even when backing up the grade with 'empties'!

When we first started out walking through the canyon, Jeb would come with us to make sure we could find the way back. Since then, he and his human partner have moved on to walk in other locations. We miss you boy.