20 Mule Team Road - Water Tanks
West Side Road in Death Valley has several remnants of the old borax industry, and one notable feature is the water tanks used by the 20-mule teams. These tanks were essential for the grueling trek out of the valley, as water was scarce and the teams needed regular resupply points.
The 20-mule teams hauled borax from Death Valley to the railheads in Daggett and Mojave, a journey of over 160 miles through some of the harshest terrain imaginable. To support this effort, reservoirs and water tanks were strategically placed along the route. Water was often piped from distant springs in the mountains to these storage tanks, ensuring the teams had access to enough water to keep moving.
Some remains of these water tanks and reservoirs can still be found along West Side Road, offering a glimpse into the incredible logistics behind the borax industry. These structures are a quiet reminder of the effort it took to extract and transport "white gold" from the depths of Death Valley.
