So. Many. Mines.
I must admit to not really understanding what I was getting myself into when I started looking into a trip to the Virginia Dale-Pinto Basin Mining District, just east of Joshua Tree National Park. I mean sure, I knew there were a handful - or two - or maybe three - of mines, but nothing really prepared me for the sheer number of sites until we were driving around on the roads. Hundreds - perhaps even thousands - of tailings piles dotted the landscape.
In three days, joined (or was it led?) by Mike @mk5, we'd hop from mine to mine, pushing our Tacoma's up narrow, rocky trails, traversing steep canyons in search of seldom-visited historic sites, and plunge deeper into the darkness of old adits than I'd ever been before.
Seriously. If there's a place in the United States with a higher density of historic mining activity, I've never been there. Frankly, I'm not sure I'd want to!
1,350 Feet Underground | Mine Mania #1 - So. Many. Mines. I must admit to not really understanding what I was getting myself into when I started looking into a trip to the Dale Mining District, just east of Joshua Tree National Park. I mean sure, I knew there were a handful - or two handfuls - or maybe three - of mines, but nothing really prepared me for the sheer number of sites until I was driving around on the roads. Hundreds - perhaps even thousands - of tailings piles dotted the landscape. #overwhelmingmuch? After flying down to Las Vegas - which is so much better than driving -…
In Search of an Ore Cart | Mine Mania #2 - One of the great things about a pit mine is that every step of the mine has plenty of level area to park on - with no rock stacking required. Plus, we'd somehow - accidentally - chosen a spot that was essentially windless, the wall behind us sheltering us from the westerly winds. Exploring into mine adits, shafts, etc. is not safe. I joke around about that a bit in this story, but I just want to be clear: Stay out, stay alive. The Iron Age Mine Also - completely by accident, given that it'd been pitch black when we…
One More Day in Dale | Mine Mania #3 - Nestled into the canyon at the Golden Egg Mine, I'd either gotten the truck leveled just right or I was extra tired from the previous day's mine hopping. Whatever the reason, I slept fantastically until about three minutes before my alarm went off. I love nights like that. What a place to wake up. As if I'm the only one in the entire mining district! Exploring into mine adits, shafts, etc. is not safe. I joke around about that a bit in this story, but I just want to be clear: Stay out, stay alive. Still bummed that I'd failed…
I cut my off road teeth in that area 50 some years ago.
Oh man, I'm (a) very much looking forward to what you think of each of the places I was able to visit on this trip, and (b) sure that things have changed quite a bit in the last 50 years! My understanding - at least from the research I've done - is that 50 years ago, there were still active mines in the area, or rather, large-scale active mines, since there are still some smaller workings/claims that seem to be active. What were some of your favorite places/recollections from back when you were cutting your teeth?
There where a few small mining operations still going 50 years ago. Problem is the ground water pours in at the 'table' which is at 600 ft. Proven gold reserves beyond that. I no longer enter mines due to a bad experience at one of them in the Old Dale district.
Wow, really? If you’re willing, I’m extremely curious to hear about the experience you had. If it’s too traumatic to recount however, I totally understand.
Went into a horizontal adit with a friend and a flashlight.(Old Dale area) Had to cross 2 vertical shafts on a 10ft plank already in place several 100 feet in.. Those were several hundred feet deep with no shoulders. Could tell by dropping a small rock. Got to about 500 ft in when I thought it was getting pretty dark. Looked at the bulb in the flashlight and it was almost out. Needless to say we had to backtrack across the vertical shaft planks in the dark. Ill prepared and felony stupid but we survived.
There are guys on FB that have explored most of these mines. Using specialized equipment and lots f knowledge and experience. Much easier for me to armchair a video done by them.