Calico Ghost Town - Odessa Canyon Mine Explore

In this video we explore a 3300 foot long adit in the hills near California's Calico Ghost Town. This was one of the major silver mines of this area and dates back to the late 1800's. The adit has some interesting features like wooden chutes, stopes, ore passes and ore car tacks. The tracks are made from a 2x4 laying on edge with a steel strap fastened to the top of it for a wear surface. Towards the end of the workings there is a distinct temperature change. The temperature and humidity both go way up and it gets very hot and uncomfortable. There is also a connection to an adit that is at least 100 feet above this one that is burned. There is a video of that on my channel as well.

Пікірлер: 80

  • @tonycraib5939
    @tonycraib59393 ай бұрын

    Great video once again thanks Tom and Julie .I agree Tom with you about people defacing these old mines .

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 ай бұрын

    Hi Tony. Glad that you liked the video. I don't know why people like to destroy things. It makes no sense to me.😊

  • @dwayneshotton861
    @dwayneshotton8614 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. Back in the 80's myself, my brother and many fellow Boy Scouts explored these mines on weekend adventures and marveled at the number of adits littering this mountain. We would occasionally find beer cans, trash, etc, but it wasn't to excessive. After watching your video it sounds like things have changed for the worse. Graffiti is a disgrace and doesn't belong in the mines, thank you for you kind reminder about this. My hope is that these mines will always be open for the public to enjoy and learn about geology.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad that you had the chance to exploe these mines. The trash and graffiti are bad but the setting of fires is the worst in my opinion. They are still fun to explore though. Thanks for watching and commenting, Dwayne!

  • @krislarsen1224
    @krislarsen12243 жыл бұрын

    When the air in the mine gets hot... it is stale air... dead end... been through most of the levels of most of the mines at Calico... its a blast

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yep, lots of mines to play in there. Thanks for the comment. Kris.

  • @tednisbeth3088
    @tednisbeth3088 Жыл бұрын

    nice mine , very interesting that the walls where hot !

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    There is often thermal activity underground in these desert mines. Thanks, Ted!👍😁

  • @MoeGhul
    @MoeGhul4 жыл бұрын

    I just love these old mines. I love the history and try to picture what it was like working them. You know it was back breaking work. Interesting mine thanks for bringing us with you

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    I love the history behind these mines and the hard working miners, too. I do the same thing as you, trying to imagine the picks, shovels and equipment running and the sounds that would go with it. Thanks for watching, Moe!

  • @jenniferbonnett6133
    @jenniferbonnett6133 Жыл бұрын

    Great Video, inspired me to camp here for a bit and explore ! Keep it up, much love from Jen and Tico( meet you guys at Shoshone pool )

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    Right on, Jen. Hope you had fun at the dark sky event. Thanks for commenting!👍😊

  • @mineadventures7938

    @mineadventures7938

    2 ай бұрын

    Oh Yes, the old Shoshone Pool met ups

  • @leeshaver7825
    @leeshaver7825 Жыл бұрын

    Me and my Buddy Phil (rip) explored that mine in 1987 We explored a lot of mines out there at Calico Lucerne Valley Joshua Tree Twentynine Palms in the San Bernardino Mountains ransburg Long Pine Independence we explored a lot of mines back in the late 80s I'm surprised this mine still here When I was growing up living in Big Bear there was a neighbor lady whose father was the head smelter for Lucky Baldwin mine in Big Bear she was in her sixties in the late seventies Grandma Saari (rip) she had some stories

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad that you had the chance to see some of the mines in this area and others. I bet you've heard some interesting stories. Thanks for watching, Lee!👍👍

  • @druewzer
    @druewzer Жыл бұрын

    That harmonica was a neat find. 👍 Julie. Somewhat comical seeing Julie jump, but understandable. She has been "on point" without a flinch in the majority of videos I've watched. 🙂 Fully agree with Tom's "rant" about marking the mines. Takes away from the enjoyment of the adventure. Just as in wilderness areas and the like, "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints". I am definitely not the best navigator under open sky, but am working on it. I would think someone would have a method to mark their direction while advancing, then remove/eliminate the information on their return. Still enjoying all your videos, so, keep them coming as you are able. As long as you are willing to share your videos, I will continue to watch.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another awesome comment. Julie is good on point. She has good hearing, which I don't, and can see really well, which I can't. We sometimes make a small rock cairn to mark a way point and then take it back down when we're done. 👍

  • @undergroundmines
    @undergroundmines4 жыл бұрын

    These were some of the first mines I visited in the 90s, glad they are still around. Seeing the damage isnt happy

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    They are pretty beat up. Thanks for the comment!

  • @user-eo3cu2nk5y
    @user-eo3cu2nk5y2 жыл бұрын

    석회석광산인가요?~상당히 깊이 들어가는 갱도네요.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    은광산입니다. 시청 해주셔서 감사합니다!

  • @AllenOxendine
    @AllenOxendine4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing.. Hope you guys are having a good week.. Full View Like 24

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Allen!

  • @jackkridler5714
    @jackkridler57144 жыл бұрын

    what can i say but. nice as always.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Jack! Glad that you liked it.

  • @imzackson
    @imzackson2 жыл бұрын

    nice explore!!!!!! every time i get out there there are so many people shooting the hills arent accessible.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    That is a problem. It's not the best area for mine exploring. The mine workings are mostly ruined. Trash, graffitti and burned timbers are the norm. Thanks for commenting!

  • @imzackson

    @imzackson

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TomandJulieMineExploring Agree, there's plenty of others to check out luckily!!!!!

  • @ORYNDA1
    @ORYNDA1 Жыл бұрын

    To bad about the idiot with the red spray paint. Kind of ruins it for future explorers. Nice example of a hard rock mine that required no shoring. I went through a mine out there once but they charged me four bucks. It was filled with dummies dressed as miners and my flashlight was not needed as it had electric lights and stairs with handrails instead of ladders. Had fun though, it was definitely worth my four bucks. It fit well with my skill level. The harder stuff I'll do watching you guys so stay safe and thanks for another entertaining video.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    You can't go too far wrong for $4.00. Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!👍👍

  • @ronstanek2851
    @ronstanek2851 Жыл бұрын

    Did you notice at the 9.32 mark you had some eyeballs watching you when you spotted the light in the tunnel! I noticed after you talked about Fred Flintstone. Did you notice Tom? Great video!

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. It looks Iike a rat was sitting there. Thanks for the sharp eye. Ron!👍

  • @frankgaletzka8477
    @frankgaletzka84773 жыл бұрын

    Hello Tom hello Julie Nice little mine with a spooky Spot Julie stoped suddenly Very interesting All the best stay save and healthy Best wishes Frank Galetzka

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can't remember why she stopped suddenly. Maybe because of a dangerous drop off. I'm glad that you like it. Thanks, Frank!

  • @davidcline123
    @davidcline1233 жыл бұрын

    It's too bad people can't control them selves, they have nothing better to do with their lives. Great job guys ,always love the video guy's.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    Some people like to destroy things and make a mess. Glad that you liked the video, David!

  • @AbandonedMines11
    @AbandonedMines114 жыл бұрын

    I just noticed in this video that Julie has knee pads that are sort of similar to mine! I don’t recall if she had those kneepads on when we were at the Devil’s Cross Mine. Lots of tunnels in this mine! Looks like someone who was there before you left you spray-painted directions on the tunnel wall at 3:02. Looks like it says “T J” with an arrow! LOL Nice seeing those two inserted pictures of the shaft looking from above and from below. Regarding the leaving of arrows and directions on the tunnel walls, I have sometimes found that some of those arrows pointing to the exit in some mines are incorrect. Why somebody would do something like THAT is beyond me. Seeing all of this tunnel footage reminds me of the War Eagle Mine even though the War Eagle is probably a lot bigger. I think if these mines were more easily accessible to the public like the War Eagle is, these mines would be as heavily trafficked as the War Eagle is.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Rant alert: Graffiti is one thing, and, as bad as that is, it kills me when the organized exploring groups paint directions, or anything, inside the mines they explore, too. It's a double whammy of pure vandalism as far as I'm concerned. If a mine is so confusing that you can't find your way out then you should find some form of temporary marking to help you that you can remove on the way out. Not sure why someone would leave the wrong directions, a prank I suppose. Julie wasn't wearing her 99 cent knee pads when we explored the Devil's Cross. This mine is directly below the burned out one, and I thought when I saw that shaft, or chute, that it looked familiar. Sure enough, comparing the photos confirmed it. These seem to get a decent amount of traffic judging from the paint. Probably not what the big Tecopa Mines get, though. Thanks for watching and commenting, Frank!

  • @AbandonedMines11

    @AbandonedMines11

    4 жыл бұрын

    Tom Wigren The only mine I have been in where it was really necessary to keep track of our route was the Lincoln Mine up by Rachel, Nevada. That mine has 11 or 12 levels and miles and miles of tunnels that connect up at odd angles and strange intersections. The newer workings also intersect the older workings and the overall layout was very confusing. Real easy to get lost in that one!

  • @gmcnelly2468
    @gmcnelly2468 Жыл бұрын

    Been to the old silver mine at the Calico Ghost town.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    Calico was a great place at one time. Thanks for watching! 👍 👍

  • @starman10548
    @starman105484 жыл бұрын

    NEAT FIND.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment!

  • @mineadventures7938
    @mineadventures79382 ай бұрын

    I Hate to see sub humans light fires to these mines. Especially sad is Mission Mine. I have been in Odessa, but this must be a different way in. Brings back memories, Calico was my 1st mine adventure at 8. Cool find as well.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    2 ай бұрын

    Hey Ken. I don't get the burning of these mines either. This is in Odessa Canyon. I'm not sure if I ever knew the name of the mine since it's been a while. If I remember correctly, this one is connected to a mine above that is badly burned. Hete is the link to that one if you're interested. Thanks for commenting!👍😁 kzread.info/dash/bejne/k6BryaWhqMeafKg.html

  • @PidasianHippie
    @PidasianHippie4 жыл бұрын

    Cool mine. This one looks like it might not have been as old as some of the mines you explored because of the lumber and the spray painted markers.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    I think sometimes mines get surveyed or re worked many years after they were first operated. That might explain the more recent paint, ribbons and tags that are often seen in mines. Thanks for the comment, P-Daz!

  • @timlanglois5643
    @timlanglois56432 жыл бұрын

    These are all a year or so old I'm hoping you all are healthy and still hiking I like your videos

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, we are going strong. This is our 6th year of mine exploring. Thanks for the nice comment, Tim!

  • @vidzilla1
    @vidzilla14 жыл бұрын

    In the 80s explored the entire moutain, spent 3 trips 15 days explored 30-50 mines each day back when everything was open. Their was a borax mine on the east back side of moutain, we called it NASTY! 90% of supports had exploded outwards. Crystals growing at the end of mine. Thanks for the memories. Were you able to get in Burcham mine? It was one of the big ones, took 2 days to to bolt up and eventually out of the Mine over a mile away from where we went in.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    We didn't see the Burcham. It's always fun to enter in one place and exit at another. Sometimes you're not even sure where you are when you come out. Thanks for watching and glad that you enjoyed our little tour.

  • @spidykat7188
    @spidykat71883 жыл бұрын

    Just a thought I could be wrong but some of that paint looks like it might have been from people going back and trying to mine it in the late seventies early eighties even. It might not all be graffiti from clubs. I could be wrong though. Awesome walkthrough thank you

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, some of the paint could be from assessment work. This area in general gets a lot of vandals that like to paint and burn things. Then there are the exploring groups that for some reason can't find their way around a mine without painting it. Thanks for watching!

  • @dixiedog1179
    @dixiedog11793 жыл бұрын

    Interesting mine

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, this was a fun one to explore. It seemed to go on forever. Thanks for watching, Dixie Dog!

  • @HikeCamp
    @HikeCamp4 жыл бұрын

    I understand your feelings on the paint... I have the same feelings about graffiti on rocks or tree carvings in the forest.. I wonder what makes it hot in there??

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Exactly, Max. Now we are seeing a lot of rock stacking, too. Not as bad as paint graffiti, but not as good as leave no trace. I think there must be some kind of thermal activity in certain areas of some mines. This one got really hot and humid there for a while. Thanks for watching and commenting, we appreciate it.

  • @HikeCamp

    @HikeCamp

    4 жыл бұрын

    Very Jules Vern indeed!! 😀

  • @kevinbrennan2004
    @kevinbrennan20044 жыл бұрын

    Today's graffiti is tomorrow's history lesson.

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Possibly, if it actually says something.

  • @wscsace
    @wscsace3 жыл бұрын

    Hi, I live near the area and have found a few caves but none that were as long as this one. Is it possible to give me directions to this specific one via message?

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    This mine location is no secret so I can tell you here. This is in Odessa Canyon. The road to it is just past the Calico tourist town. You can drive about one mile up from the blactop after that the road is not passable unless you have a rock crawler. There is a loop called the Doran Scenic Loop that we hiked and found many mines.

  • @wscsace

    @wscsace

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TomandJulieMineExploring thank you, much appreciated

  • @EverydayProjects
    @EverydayProjects3 жыл бұрын

    I think that I heard one time that when you find a harmonica, you are supposed to play a tune before putting it back, or something like that. Can we have a tune, please? haha

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    That one was a little too far gone to play. It is fun to think of some old miner playing it around the camp after work was over for the day. Too bad items like that can't tell their story. Thanks for the comment!

  • @suzy_the_cockatoo
    @suzy_the_cockatoo4 жыл бұрын

    Is this the Bismarck?

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    No it's not, Suzy. This is on the other side of the loop from the Bizmark.

  • @ronniecardy
    @ronniecardy4 жыл бұрын

    Here is a dumd question. Where is the pictures of anything left of the ghost town?

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hey Ronnie, this area is very near the Calico Ghost Town, but not part of it. The Calico Ghost Town is a tourist area that you have to pay to enter which we have not done. I put that in the title of the video for some reference to where the mines in this video are located. Thanks for the question.

  • @ronniecardy

    @ronniecardy

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@TomandJulieMineExploring Thanks

  • @Samarno9.0
    @Samarno9.02 жыл бұрын

    Can these be purchased and stocked with couple hundred ozs of silver and allowed to breathe on the surrounding lands for the purpose creating of weather and ultra high quality berries??? That's all I'm trying to do asap. You'd get so much rain.....all year long even.....what's the deal? Yo

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Go for it.

  • @socalRooster
    @socalRooster3 жыл бұрын

    Why not keep the harmonica was a great find

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    I left it because I thought the next person might like to see it as much as we did.

  • @socalRooster

    @socalRooster

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TomandJulieMineExploring I just watched another video of to guy’s explorering mine shaft from 1920’s thy where doing the same thing leaving art affects behind for next guy….huh

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@socalRooster That's good and it's what good mine explorers do. Plus, I'm a guitar player...not so good on the harmonica. Thanks for the reply, Chris.

  • @Oidium45
    @Oidium454 жыл бұрын

    Ugh... I wish I knew why half of my comments ended up multiplying by 10 fold...

  • @jasonmeaty8036
    @jasonmeaty80364 жыл бұрын

    Does comments pay more ?

  • @TomandJulieMineExploring

    @TomandJulieMineExploring

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure what you mean, Jason.

  • @AbandonedMines11

    @AbandonedMines11

    4 жыл бұрын

    Tom Wigren I think he wants to know if people leaving comments on your videos increases your earnings from the ad revenue.