This short hike to Wall Street Mill is a great route to do alongside Barker Dam. Both trails originate in nearly the same location and offer different glimpses into the history of the area. You can begin the hike from the Barker Dam parking lot or at the established trailhead 0.3 miles to the northeast.
From the Wall Street Mill trailhead, follow the well-defined trail as it travels generally towards the east. Shortly after you start, you might catch a glimpse of pink walls to your left. This is the remnants of the Wonderland Ranch which you will visit on the way back. Cross a large wash and then see a crumbling wind mill at mile 0.3, which was intended to serve as a mill site for the Desert Queen Mine. This trail is all about exploring the old equipment along the way, so make sure you give yourself time to really inspect what's still standing (1).
Continue ahead as the trail parallels the wash (2) for another half mile. The next time you dip into the wash is just before the mill site. Wall Street Mill is the best-preserved gold mill in the area and is protected under the National Register of Historic Places. Learn all about how important this mill was for processing gold ore at the interpretive sign (3), then spend some time wandering around the mill site (4). A variety of old cars in various states of disrepair mark the landscape (5) along with discarded mill waste. Once you are done, be careful to find the trail back towards the car. The wash is easy to get pulled into, and while it does get you back to the correct spot, the going is much more work.
Make sure to turn right and check out the Wonderland Ranch (aka Ohlson House) on your way back (6). Very little in known about the Ohlson family, besides the gold rush that initial brought them out here. It's fun to think about how living in a spot like this would have been 100 years ago...
