Gin Lin

Gin Lin Mining Trail is a historic and scenic trail that’s perfect to do with your furry best friend! This out-and-back trail is 0.8 miles long, and it welcomes pups on-leash.

The trail begins at the Gin Lin Mining Trailhead Parking Lot. When you head out onto the trail, you’ll find yourself in a lovely forest, and you’ll see the remains of a 19^th-century mining settlement. The trail follows this historic mine settlement.

As you walk along the trail, you’ll pass signs that inform you about the history of the settlement. You’ll also learn about mine boss Gin Lin, who the trail is named after. Gin Lin immigrated from China to America in the early 1860s. He moved to Oregon and started mining in Applegate Valley. In 1881, he purchased mining claims in the Palmer Creek Diggings Area in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Gin Lin gathered a large crew, and they began mining for gold using hydraulic mining. This type of mining used pressurized water to loosen the rocks and dirt from the hillside. Then, the miners put the dirt through sluice boxes, where they were able to sort out the gold-bearing silt. The miners were very successful, and they soon amassed a large fortune. Gin Lin returned to China in around 1894, but historians aren’t positive about what happened to him after that.

 As you go down the trail, you pass signs discussing the area’s history. You’ll also go past historic mining equipment, including headboxes, sluice boxes, and a huge penstock pipe. Plus, you’ll also see the Palmer Creek Ditch, which carried water from Palmer Creek to the mining sites down the slope.

Gin Lin Mining Trail is a beautiful and historic trail that provides tons of interesting information about the mining operations in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Bring doggy bags with you so you can clean up after your dog during your hike, and have a great time on this trail!