The Mojave Desert is one of those places where history and geology often collide in a dramatic way. In the heart of the Mojave, just outside of California’s Red Rock Canyon State Park lies a pair of forgotten industrial relics that now serve as striking landmarks for those looking to explore off the beaten path. The Dutch Cleanser Mine and the Holly Ash Mine once supplied the abrasive pumice material used in household cleaners, but today they stand as ghostly reminders of a bygone era—and as a perfect destination for ADV riders chasing scenic views and rugged terrain.

The Dutch Cleanser Mine, located on the southern edge of Red Rock Canyon, operated from the 1920s through the 1940s. Here, miners carved deep tunnels into the volcanic tuff to extract pumicite, the raw material for the ‘Old Dutch Cleanser’ cleaning product (similar to Ajax). The mine’s cavernous openings remain accessible, offering riders a chance to step inside and experience the cool shade of its chambers on a hot day, often 10–15 degrees lower than the desert outside. Just a few miles north, the Holly Ash Mine (sometimes referred to as the Holy Ash or Calsilco Mine) produced pumice for Holly Cleanser, a competitor brand. Its shallow, wide tunnels and hillside cuts contrast with the Dutch Cleanser’s deeper shafts, giving each site a distinct character. The openings are large enough to drive a car though, but as always, respect the fragile structures and avoid venturing too deep into unstable tunnels.

The mines themselves stand as more than just curiosities though, offering a window into a time when massive industrial operations extracted valuable commodities from remote areas of the Mojave desert. More than 25,000 tons of pumice were pulled out of the hills from the Holly Ash Mine alone, feeding a national appetite for scouring powders. Today, the remnants—collapsed openings, scattered equipment, and deep caverns—invite exploration. You can walk into the entrances, hike down into the cuts, and imagine the labor it must have taken to build the miles of gleaming white tunnels through these hills that now stand silent. 

Getting There And GPS Tracks

For ADV riders, the appeal lies not only in the history of the mines but in exploring the network of trails in the area. The mines are accessible on either dual-sport or adventure bikes, though you’ll need to be prepared to handle deep sand on the network of trails that wind through desert washes, small canyons and rocky ridges. At least an intermediate level of off-road riding experience is required. For experienced desert riders, the deep sand sections and rocky tracks are manageable on a large machine but be aware these mines are best visited during the cooler months. Summer riding here is punishing, with triple-digit heat and no shade outside the mines themselves.

What makes the Dutch Cleanser and Holly Ash Mines even more unique is how remote they feel but accessible they are. Both can be reached on a day trip adventure from most major cities in Southern California. Riders approaching from Highway 14 can enter Red Rock Canyon State Park and follow dirt tracks branching east toward the El Paso Mountains. Alternatively, Redrock Randsburg Road provides access from the west. Along the way you can also stop by another one of the Mojave’s must-see ADV destinations — the Burro Schmidt’s Tunnel. 

More detailed GPS tracks and a map can be found in a previous story that features this riding area “Day Trip Adventure Ride: The Mojave’s El Paso Mountains.” 

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.