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These pages are dedicated to the preservation of California history, using Bickel Camp as a primary source for the study of Depression Era gold mining. Walt Bickel first staked his claim in Last Chance Canyon in 1927, and lived at his famous mining camp from 1934 to 1988. His mining camp is one of the rare gold camps that hasn’t been vandalized or destroyed as an “eyesore” by the Bureau of Land Management. Walt Bickel himself was an incredible person who lived a simple yet instructive life in the California wilderness north of Los Angeles. His cabin and camp was declared a historical site in 1972 (See BLM Attacks History buttion and Historical Designation links) but an ongoing battle rages to this day over the camp’s preservation. It is hoped Friends of Bickel Camp (see the link to this group’s home page) might launch a historical study of this mining camp and colorful miner, and that this interest will help save Bickel Camp for future generations to enjoy.