The Clear Creek Management Area has historically been a mining district because the area is heavily mineralized. Between 1850 and 1970, the area produced mercury which was used domestically and exported worldwide for use in pharmaceuticals, munitions, technology and mining. During the 1900s ore mining expanded to include gems, chromite, magnesite and chrysotile. With the closure of the New Idria Quicksilver Mine in 1972, chrysotile become the principal mineral extracted from the area by three major mining operations. But that too came to an end. The Coalinga Asbestos Mine shut down in 1977. The Atlas Asbestos Mine closed in 1980. The KCAC Mine was the last operating chrysotile mine within the United States and it ceased operations in 1998.

Gems are still actively mined in the region. The most notable is the semi-precious gem Benitoite, which is California's official state gemstone. Discovered in 1907, this gem is still mined on a 40 acre parcel of private property located in the middle of Clear Creek, known as the Benitoite Gem Mine. Another rare gem is the demantoid garnet. This stone is green, unlike most garnets which are red. Demantoid garnets are only found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, Mexico, Namibia and Clear Creek.

Because both the State of California and the Federal Government have erroneously classified all forms of asbestos as a carcinogen, the BLM has declared about 30,000 of the Clear Creek Management Area to be a "hazardous asbestos area" because of the natural occurrence of chrysotile. The serpentine mineral chrysotile is used to produce a safe commercial asbestos. The EPA has ignored the growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that chrysotile is not dangerous and that exposure to chrysotile does not put people at undue risk of disease. (See What is Asbestos? and Holmes Safety Association Bulletin, November 1998 and Mineralogy of "Asbestos" for more information.) In fact, a recent study published in Inhalation Toxicology published (Volume 15, Number 14/Dec 2003) "Comparison of Calidria Chrysotile Asbestos to Pure Tremolite: Inhalation Biopersistence and Histopathology Following Short-Term Exposure" concluded that chrysotile "fiber is not associated with lung disease." Also read Asbestos and Mercury in Clear Creek.

The most unique geological feature of the area is the barren hills. There are about 9,000 acres of these barren areas on which no vegetation grows. These hills have been laid barren for several reasons. First the highly mineralized serpentine soil does not support much plant growth, secondly, there was substantial forest harvesting during the 19th century to support the several mining communities that existed in the area, thirdly the 1942 and 1951 forest fires (and a previous fire) and the erosion that followed devastated the area, and finally human impact on some of the barren areas has impeded recovery. Some of the areas have always been barren and the BLM has been able to protect recoverable areas, such as the San Benito Mountain Natural Area.

As is typical in a old mining district, there are miles and miles of roads carved into the mountains. The BLM has been maintaining about 100 miles of these roads that were identified as major contributors of erosion. The BLM has estimated that there could be up to 800 miles of roads, bulldozer paths to exploration digs, and OHV trails constructed over the years by users of the area. However, only 170 miles of roads and trails are designated for recreational use.

Even thought serpentine is low in plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and is loaded with heavy metals such as iron, chromium, nickel and cobalt - things that kill most plants - this region offers a fascinating and diverse community for plants and wildlife. In fact, for a short while following 1907, this space became the San Benito National Forest and it was incorporated into the Monterey National Forest by Teddy Roosevelt in 1908. It was transfered back to public domain in 1910. Among the diverse plant community are many rare plants that have adapted over the centuries to thrive in the nutrient-poor mountains that make up the New Idrian Serpentine Formation. Some, like the San Benito Evening Primrose (Camissonia benitensis), grow no other place on earth. This is also only place where four conifer (pine) species are known to exist together. Those four pines are the Jeffrey Pine, the Coulter Pine, the Foothill Pine and the Incense Cedar. Historical reports from the late 19th century indicate that many of those trees were quite large having 6 to 12 foot diameters.

During the 1880s this area was home to over 2,000 people living in various small communities and outlying cabins. Some of these communities included:

Its hard to believe this today, but for a time, this area was quite an industrious place. In every way, it is a true wild-west mining community with stories of wild success and dismal failure. The area was special to California's three most notorious outlaws, Joaquin Murrieta, Juan Flores and Turbucio Vasquez. This place also has its own stories of passionate unending love, forbidden affairs and criminal intrigue. And, as you might guess, it was also a very difficult place to live, and it tells stories of horrible tragedies and unbearable hardships.

Every visitor can enjoy some of California's most beautiful vistas and breathtaking scenery. But, this space also has many wondrous secrets to share for those who will tread carefully, look closely and quietly listen.

The Clear Creek Management Area has a long history of human use and this space was important to Native Americans who were the first to inhabit this area. Within this region are several important cultural and ceremonial sites. Some of these sites are very old and extremely sensitive. As you roam this space, you may find archeological remnants from the Indians´ lengthy occupation. Please be respectful of these important remnants and report your findings to the BLM office as soon as possible.