California’s legacy of gold mining goes back generations, but as the world of mining has evolved, so too have our ideas about public lands. Today’s mining projects are still dictated by the 1872 Mining Law, leaving land managers little recourse to say no to environmentally damaging projects. Last spring, environmental advocates and cycling enthusiasts Emily Markstein and Amber Rassler organized a bike tour along the Eastern Sierra to see firsthand the spaces under imminent threat from mining projects– and to learn that some things are worth more than gold.

Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto   •   Like I’m Dreaming by Shaky Faces   •   Gone to the Gorge by David Swensen    •  Paceface by The Brow    •  Dream Maker by David Katz    •   Catch the Groove by Curio    •   Auroras by John Berry    •   The Landing by John Berry    •   Delivered by Brendan O’Connell Tracks provided by Track Club or with permission from the artists.