A Bad Mine Leads To A Good Mine
This mine started out rather badly, but, as you’ll see, became quite a good mine to explore in the end. This is yet another case that demonstrates the value of running things out… And, in this case, I can add the value of not just taking someone’s word for something! I can’t even begin to tell you how many times we have been told that a mine is inaccessible because it has caved, has a crazy person squatting at the site, been destroyed by the Forest Service, etc. Quite often, we arrive at the abandoned mine and find a way in or find that the rumors were complete nonsense. These lessons are applicable everywhere in life, not just in the field of mine exploring.
I tried to pick a thumbnail picture where it looked like we were scolding Little Jake. Hopefully, that was successful.
It was difficult to piece together the history of this abandoned mine as there were a number of contradictory reports. So, I’ll stick to what was consistent across all of the reports: This was a gold mine and the ore body was discovered in the early 1900s. It was worked heavily at that time and then abandoned after World War I. At some later date - either the 1950s or the 1970s depending on the report I was reading - the mine had some rehabilitation work done for sampling and exploration, but this came to nothing.
There was a lot of history on the hill where this mine is located. I found the remains of some very old, primitive stone cabins and we found the remains of a lot of surface workings and prospecting activity. There was also modern mining activity taking place, with evidence of recent core drilling and sampling farther up the hill.
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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. But, you know what? We enjoy doing it! This is exploring history firsthand - bushwhacking down steep canyons and over rough mountains, figuring out the techniques the miners used and the equipment they worked with, seeing the innovations they came up with, discovering lost mines that no one has been in for a century, wandering through ghost towns where the only sound is the wind... These journeys allow a feeling of connection to a time when the world was a very different place. And I’d love to think that in some small way we are paying tribute to those hardy miners that worked these mines before we were even born.
So, yes, in short, we are adit addicts… I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines
#UndergroundMineExploring
Пікірлер: 132
Hey thanks for zooming in on the minerals, it’s not geeking out man, mining in the end is all about the mineral right, and we mineral collectors in the audience really appreciate it.
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
I second that motion!!! 🤠👍
What a cool mine! I don't know how you don't get hopelessly lost in those mines. Thanks for sharing your exploration!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Yes, this one ended up being quite good. I had really low expectations when we first went into that little prospect...
@TheSlimej
Жыл бұрын
@@TVRExploring The right hand rule, right?
I like how you explore without the drama similar to Mine explorers.
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Yes, I try very hard to avoid that.
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
This is the Main reason you are my Absolute favorite exploration exploration channel!! 🤠👍
Well this is a big surprise seeing 2 ore hoppers and track right from the beginning and seen your pickup your research paid of big time you might say right to the front door🤗 boy you got a good find with that small opening and could hear you had a big smile glad we were able to tag along on your great discovery .p.s.we all know the in the future you'll be back with those rope's ⛏️💣 hope it does not keep you up at night wondering what is down that deep deep shaft 🤔 thank you till later 🏆
What a nice episode, looking forward to part 2 with the rope action! This channel is so underrated. Great to see mine exploration and an active mine on one channel!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the kind words. Glad you're enjoying the content...
That winze looked very appealing indeed. It would be nice to see a skip car at the bottom but since the hoist, cable, etc. seemed to be gone I guess maybe that's doubtful. Can't wait to see what's down there. Thanks for the video Justin and Company. 👍
In America, as in the UK, I am always amazed these sites still exist and haven't been landscaped, maybe in a few generations that will happen, so in the meantime, we need to document.
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
They are disappearing quickly. I doubt many will survive for even one more generation.
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
Keep Up the Good Work we need more men like you to preserve our history!!! 🤠👍
Just a little hole lol poor guy hehe, very nice explore, and a surprising nice mine, nice bit of stopes.
Cool mine thanks for sharing 👍 🇬🇧
Awesome exploration👍👍
Wow! That was a great treasure hidden in that little hole!!! Looks like a return with Ropes is in order for the winze! Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦
I grew up in Montana and the amount of old mines that can be found there is astounding. The old miners were very prolific back in the mid to late 19th century, and most mines there seemed to be from that time period. There are some that are newer but maybe only the 1920's at the latest. Luckily, I grew up in a time (1960's and 70's) when most of them were still unexplored and were still full of artefacts, so got to see a lot of great stuff. I can only hope that others are as respectful as you guys and will leave the artefacts for others to see, too. It is so cool to see you guys take great pride in preserving the artefacts that you find. Thanks for these excellent videos and Happy Exploring!
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
The old saying I've taken only photographs and leave nothing but footprints is best used by everyone and anyone who wishes to see and preserve our history!!! 🤠👍 P.s. A Plague and Pox on All Methbillies!!!
@cortrichards8179
Жыл бұрын
@@worldtraveler930 Agreed! Methbillies are the worst! I did take an old liquor flask that I found in one old mine, but I felt that if I left it, it would only be broken or snatched by someone else. It was a nice coffin flask that was embossed with the name of the liquor dealer and was from a now ghost town in Montana. I found out later that it is worth quite a bit, however, that is not what I am interested in at all. I could care less about money. ( Probably not something you hear someone say very often! ) I care about the historical value and preservation. I will also admit to doing a lot of digging for old 19th century bottles in dumps and old outhouses. I do have a very large collection of 19th century bottles but again, I don't really care about the monetary value. It is the history and thinking about who last touched that bottle and why. My collection is such that it will eventually go to the Montana Historical Society when I am deceased. It is not only bottles but also Victrola's, calendars, old advertising signs and other old oddities that I have collected since I was young. I have always been fascinated by history, even since I was a child and have amassed quite a large collection. Mostly all of it is Montana or Montana Territory related. Apologies for this being so long! Take care and thanks!
I have been watching this and other mine exploration channels for a while, and I have yet to see something that one used to see regularly in old mines in southern Arizona: core samples. It was common to walk down a drift and see boxes of core samples right beneath the holes they came out of. I imagine coring was not cheap, but if it kept you on the ore, I'm sure it was worth it.
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
I'd say it is actually pretty rare for us to encounter core samples. I've been to many hundreds of abandoned mines and I can think of less than 10 that had core samples around.
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
I remember a couple episodes where the buildings outside the mine where absolutely choked with core samples!
Thank you for this wonderfull Video It is amazing that you find the other mine that was blocked. The Minerals were amazing . The spraypaint damages the history Look but this man who did this dont like history i think. Take care greetings yours Frank Galetzka
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Yes, I always hate to see the spray paint inside of the mines. It takes away from the historical nature of it and shows that you're not the first one that has been there since the mine was abandoned.
That's a decline on the other side ! Lol ! Nice explore , interesting ! 😎 Glad to hear that you may be back to rope down the decline , should be lots to explore hopefully !
That’s a perfect game rule. Lol Love it. 👍
That little hole ended up leading to some exciting exploration. Thanks for posting this, and it would be awesome if it was possible that I could join you guys someday.
Wow Thru the Rabbit hole and things got Interesting real fast . Thank you for the explore .
Awesome exploration! Love seeing the crystals on the wall. Just recently documented a mine just days before the area was ravaged by the Mosquito Fire. Praying for everyone affected.
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
As a silver lining, the fires do reveal some mines that have been hidden away and they definitely make them more accessible. We visited a mine last month that no one had been able to visit for decades because it was so impossible to reach due to impenetrable brush. A fire changed that dynamic and made it possible to visit.
@stanbatchelor810
Жыл бұрын
The one down the steep south facing road with the old yellow truck halfway down, before the rock slide? Haven't been down there in 10+ years. What's left of the old wooden cabin above the road must have burned.
@theminejunkie
Жыл бұрын
@@TVRExploring I hadn't thought of that! I am mainly worried about all the historical artifacts outside of the mine, especially an old wooden cabin.
Very cool mine, utterly amazing the number of levels/directions/stores! Hoping you guys decide to descend to other levels, shaft that deep there definitely has to be more to it. Thanks for sharing this & thank whichever of you decided to chase that hole!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Yes, this one is worth a return visit.
Man my mine was blown by all the artifacts left. Awesome video.
An awesome explore! Thanks for the upload. 🥃
Hi Justin, those whit flower like crystals look a lot like Aragonite but I could be wrong. It turned out to be a pretty good explore, I think your friend needs to do some studying on how to explain things more clearly lol. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx ❤
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Haha, yes, we gave him a really hard time about that, but, unfortunately, I wasn't recording then... I'll have to look up what Aragonite looks like again. Thank you for the suggestion.
This is one of the best explores I have seen for ages, what a find, the fact you got into another sealed off mine is amazing. A mine explorers dream!! Thanks for sharing the adventure, like being there with you!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much. Any time that we can figure out a way into a mine that seems to be lost is indeed a good day!
Nice explore of this mine Justin! Thank you!
Awesome surprises. Cant wait to see more of this mine or your mine. Its all 😎
Great exploration
I think the prospectors recently cut that little into the big mine, I think the big one may have pay rock left in it. They took a lot of samples... they must have had good maps to cut the little hole and get into it. But I think they did...
You should check out the soudan mine in soudan Minnesota. It's a massive iron mine. There currently doing maintenance on it and won't be open until the spring but it's a really impressive mine.
Very interesting mine to say the least. I'm wondering about a part two or more? I would love to see the piece of machinery outside. Nice explore!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
If we get back to that part of Nevada, there will be a part two. I doubt there was much down that winze, but one must be sure...
That was awesome, thanks for your expert video skills, the mineral close ups..ahh, and everything else. Can't wait for the ropes explore.
Boy, for all the paint and flagging, the government geologists really loved this mine.
California, where the sign at the exit of the mine says, "Caution bad air"..
"Tis but a scratch" -The Black Knight
Another amazing trip, the geology in some of that mine was very interesting, during the first few minutes I was thinking about the size of the waste rock area outside and trying to make what you were finding fit, then you slid through that hole and into the main mine....there was a LOT of material moved out of there. A heck of a lot of sweat and toil.
Thanks again!
Thank you. Great mines.
I dont think there is anything better than finding a mine inside a mine!
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
I second that motion!!! 🤠👍
Thank you, that was fun!!!
😮 That was a nice surprise..
This was a very exciting mine video. Really enjoy all of your videos thanks so much
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much. Glad you're enjoying them...
"Don't know if there's rail in here. Very soft." *stops and thinks about false floor* "So anyway, moving on."
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Haha!
Haha, “just a little hole,” priceless
Thank you.🇨🇦
Good afternoon from Southeast South Dakota
Where you been man busy I'm sure thanks for the video brother
very good
I have seen that popcorn quartz covered with gold before.
Nice vid looks like a mine I explore in Cali
Thanks :)
Gotta be careful with those “little hole” comments. That’s mine exploring 101
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Yep! There's a price to pay for misleading comments like that.
I'm curious, if you looked at the survey markers can you tell from the numbering scheme which entrance they used (the same as your group or the collapsed portal)?
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
No, everyone uses different markings. There isn't uniformity that allows one to interpret them easily.
I know where about that mine is and Interested to found out there’s a way in the rest of the workings I was told by friend there was no way in what a friend lol I’ll have to check it out great video Justin be safe out there my friend can’t wait till next video
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Ha, yeah, be careful with what those friends tell you! You saw the danger of that in this video...
At 35:31 you missed the drill steel hanging down out of the top left side of the face I think.
that was a good one
Guess you could call the initial hole you went through a glory hole. Great mine. Thanks for sharing
such an extensive workings
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Definitely much more than I expected initially!
@2:00 Not 100% sure, but that "popcorn" looks like botryoidal chalcedony
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Thank you.
Big second mine
Don’t ask your friend his opinion about part of a mine anymore. That would have really been a shame to miss!
Jeff and Slim would likey great working's!!!; )
At about the 32 minute mark there was some great looking rusty ore. Do you guys ever sample those spots?
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
We don't normally have samples from the Nevada mines tested. Too far from home...
Just about everywhere you went there was pink surveyor's markings. Any idea what they were looking for?
For us novices, please always state what you think they were mining!
@ericcorse
Жыл бұрын
He normally tells in the written description.
I'm surprised it's a gold mine. I didn't see any quartz vane.
Cool mine! Does your friend with the tattoos have his own mine exploring channel?
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
No, he just records stuff for himself...
Will there be a part 2 in this mine, Justin?
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
If we make it back to that area...
Yellow rock looks radioactive.
29% is really good
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
He meant 20.9%.
at 10:16 what is the white tag above the whole you guys were entering?
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
A survey marker or where a sample was taken...
The symbol is almost the symbol for planet mercury.
> Lots of variety in this old mine. Can we have a little more history and less mystery? Don't need the location or mine names but dates and minerals extracted would be interesting and which hemisphere. Thanks for showing us the details. Is that a drill stem stuck at 35:30? Be careful men.
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Read the description below the video.
💚💚👍👍
Weird smells lol must be barkin spiders lol
Hope that first mine wasn't made from popcorn 😂😂even though they did look like it , how many mines do u have where you are or do u choose different ones as time goes by?
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
It depends on how you define where I am. I mean, how wide of an area are we talking about? If you include the county where I live and a couple of the surrounding counties, the number is probably over 10,000 mines. However, almost all of them are gone. We return to some of our favorites and are always looking for new mines.
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
@@TVRExploring Please Keep Up the Good Work!!! 🤠👍
Isn’t that calcite on the surface
I'm a newbie about these things what were they actually mining for
@tm8747
Жыл бұрын
gold
@2002MX5
Жыл бұрын
Gold.
😘😘😘😍😍
Looks like it's slab cutting
Fluff Flow?
Corn pop, you say? Joe Biden told me about corn pop. Said, he's a bad dude!
The most infuriating thing is I am a little kid who loves western history especially mines and u cannot put the name or the location of the mine. I also think sometimes the outside of the mine look way better than the inside.
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Yes, there are many mines where the outside is more interesting than what is found underground. I wish I could share the names and locations, but I have been burned badly doing that in the past...
@worldtraveler930
Жыл бұрын
@@TVRExploring I have no qualms about you keeping our pieces of hisory secret from the Methbillies and the Villains that would destroy it. Keep Up the Good Work as Always!!! 🤠👍
Popcorn=chalcedony
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Thank you.
Inclined shaft!!!!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
It didn't break to the surface. So, it was a winze rather than an inclined shaft.
@mathewmiller8246
Жыл бұрын
@@TVRExploring Your right my bad lol
Do you think they were mining in there
@expert8997
Жыл бұрын
I'll venture to say yes, they were, in fact, mining in there. Inside the mine.
For us novices, please always state what you think they were mining!
@TVRExploring
Жыл бұрын
Read the description below the video.