It sits at an elevation of 1447 feet (441 m) above sea level and is located at 38°01′42″N 120°30′24″W / 38.02833°N 120.50667°W / 38.02833; -120.50667, about 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southeast of Angels Camp.

After splitting up at what is now Angels Camp, Carson's group headed south and panned at a small tributary of the Stanislaus River, which they found incredibly rich in gold.

The mine was also where one of the largest nuggets in the state was discovered, a 195-pound troy block of gold that was worth $43,000 at the time.

One of the Gold Country's more colorful stories is reported to have occurred here (although several other camps lay claim to a similar tale) during the early days of the rush.

As the services were being held, one of the mourners noticed something glittering in the newly turned earth of the open grave.