Рет қаралды 82,150
It would be an understatement to say that this was not an easy abandoned mine to get to - and that is a reference to both the drive in as well as the grueling hike up to the mine itself… As we learned on the way out, there was an easier way that we could have driven out. However, on an initial journey, such things are usually not obvious. Likewise, we were literally scaling sheer rock cliffs at times in order to reach the workings highlighted in this video. However, on the way down, we discovered the trail used by the miners, which, naturally, was in the perfect location to make the best use of the features of the mountain. To be fair, it was still steep and still required some work to get to from the workings we explored. However, it was the best route the miners could have achieved on that steep mountain. And, of course, it was one of those things that we did not discover until starting to make our way down.
Long-suffering viewers will know that I am a big fan of rail in (and around) the abandoned mines. Miners’ trails have a similar appeal to me. I like the aesthetics of them. I like the fact that they are often difficult to locate, but are usually quite rewarding when they are found. I like the fact that they seem obvious once they have been located. I like the historic bottles and other treasures that one often sees along the old trails. I like walking the same route and seeing the same scenery that the old timers did long before me. Well, you’re probably getting the idea…
The earliest records I found relating to this mine stretch back to 1909, but you should always take that with a grain of salt because records were incomplete, non-existent or often lost in the early days. So, many mines are older than what is suggested by the availability of written records. This was listed as a zinc mine with some gold, lead, silver and copper.
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You can see the full TVR Exploring playlist of abandoned mines here: goo.gl/TEKq9L
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD and here: bit.ly/2p6Jip6
Several kind viewers have asked about donating to help cover some of the many expenses associated with exploring these abandoned mines. Inspired by their generosity, I set up a Patreon account. So, if anyone would care to chip in, I’m under TVR Exploring on Patreon.
Thanks for watching!
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Growing up in California’s “Gold Rush Country” made it easy to take all of the history around us for granted. However, abandoned mine sites have a lot working against them - nature, vandals, scrappers and various government agencies… The old prospectors and miners that used to roam our lonely mountains and toil away deep underground are disappearing quickly as well.
These losses finally caught our attention and we felt compelled to make an effort to document as many of the ghost towns and abandoned mines that we could before that colorful niche of our history is gone forever.
I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
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