Pleasant Exterior Hides Ancient Catastrophe

The setting at the start of the video seems like a peaceful, pleasant scene in the forest, no? Picturesque, historic cabins occupying a clearing in the forest... It could easily be a scene in a painting. Well, that impression is accurate. However, as you’ll see, the evidence of an ancient catastrophe lies just beneath the tranquil surface of this scene.
This entire region was obliterated in a massive volcanic eruption that sent a devastating pyroclastic flow ripping through the ancient forests, scorching them with superheated gases and scouring them with a rock-filled wind traveling at hundreds of miles and hour. The devastation was not complete though as this pyroclastic flow was swiftly followed by a crushing volcanic mud flow (lahar) that buried what was left of the incinerated forests and the streams and rivers within them.
Several years ago, we found a layer of burned plant matter in another mine farther north of this one. As seen in this mine, that layer was deep within the earth, but it was almost entirely made up of leaves and small twigs. My take on this situation is that smaller, more delicate plant matter was pushed farther out from the core of the ancient volcano’s destruction. The large trees that I found in the mine in this video suggest to me that this location was closer to the volcano. Simply put, a large tree would not have been hurled as far by the volcanic blast as leaves and small twigs.
I hope that many of you have visited Mount St. Helens, or are at least fairly familiar with it, as it is a template for what happened here in that, almost instantly, a lush, thriving forest was transformed into a wasteland.
The twist here is that most people don’t see how this looks underground!
Of interest to the miners of the past (and present), the volcanic destruction also locked in all of the gold that the ancient rivers were pregnant with.
KZread limits the space we have to write descriptions. So, if you’re curious for more detail on the ancient rivers seen frozen in time in this video, I go into more detail on how these were formed in the description of the video below (and this is also one of the best underground placer mines I have explored):
• Mining The Corpse Of A...
They’re a fascinating phenomenon that appear to be unique to the Sierra Nevadas of California. To be clear, there is underground placer mining throughout the world, but I know of nowhere else that taps into ancient river channels rather than contemporary river channels.
*****
All of these videos are uploaded in HD, so I’d encourage you to adjust your settings to the highest quality if it is not done automatically.
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD
As well as a small gear update here: bit.ly/2p6Jip6
You can see the full TVR Exploring playlist of abandoned mines here: goo.gl/TEKq9L
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!
*****
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: 372

  • @addisme7561
    @addisme75612 жыл бұрын

    A few years ago when I first started watching your videos I thought you over explained everything but now I love it, it’s one of my favourite things about your videos, don’t change your style brother, your videos rock and you have always stayed true to you original objective of awesome mine exploration and it’s raw and best.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the kind words. Haha, glad you've come to enjoy my explaining of everything...

  • @kimbra1132
    @kimbra11322 жыл бұрын

    Looks like an inside rock house with many rooms for a big family. The deads in there were awesome. The burnt wood is a ancient forest from the past that I've never seen underground before. It sparkled when the light shown on it. Beautiful colors and the geology through that placer mine was fantastic.

  • @trinketsmusings
    @trinketsmusings2 жыл бұрын

    Wow! What an awesome mine. My geology brain was on total geek mode with that pyroclastic flow and the ancient charred trees! Loved the pic marks. You needed a nap during the explore. I needed one after! Thanks for another amazing explore!

  • @patrickfurtaw5326
    @patrickfurtaw53262 жыл бұрын

    placer mines usually look like a massive collapse could happen at any time. This one was really interesting, really enjoyed the stratification if the lahar.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's a pretty accurate assessment about the collapse at any time...

  • @graydonjones6912
    @graydonjones69122 жыл бұрын

    This is a very interesting mine , the riverbed above your head is so cool to see!!

  • @davidisonyt
    @davidisonyt2 жыл бұрын

    To paraphrase your opening, I sure do love it when you post a new video. Great content as always.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @Askjeffwilliams
    @Askjeffwilliams2 жыл бұрын

    surprised you didn't sample a little yourself while you were there....would love to know if this claim is a Patent claim and if so is it for sale. Really love seeing the Lahars and ash flow tuff with ancient plant life and trees trapped in them....... great job finding this one , keep'em coming there sonny Jim

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. It's not patented... And, yes, I like seeing the geological wonderland underground as well.

  • @Askjeffwilliams

    @Askjeffwilliams

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring would love to have more info on this one if you can .

  • @rankyeller

    @rankyeller

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yay! Here is the man himself! Hey Jeff!

  • @Washman-jw3hl

    @Washman-jw3hl

    2 жыл бұрын

    Jeff what r u doin here. Aahahaha

  • @user-sx1ms9dg5v

    @user-sx1ms9dg5v

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Jeff, I sampled this mine a couple years with a another geologist that the claim owners hired to map/sample the mine. The gold was fine but consistent on bedrock, no nuggets have been reported from this one. If I remember correctly this is not the "main" ancient channel in the area and did not have the same gold endowment as the other one. You can DM me if you have any more questions

  • @mertfox3488
    @mertfox34882 жыл бұрын

    I have learned more about ancient bedrock and mining for gold in your videos than any other channel. You explain in simple terms and show what you are referring to. An excellent venture with you guiding the way. Keep your skills honed and thanks for your work and efforts.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad to hear it! Thank you.

  • @durwinpocha2488
    @durwinpocha24882 жыл бұрын

    "They never reopened that worthless pit, they just placed a marble slab in front of it. At the bottom of this mine lies a big man, Big John." Very educational video on placer mining, incredible really, thanks for sharing!

  • @ronwhittaker6317

    @ronwhittaker6317

    Жыл бұрын

    love that ol'song it still stirs me

  • @westfield_rcc4537

    @westfield_rcc4537

    Жыл бұрын

    One of the best songs ever!

  • @philliphall5198

    @philliphall5198

    Жыл бұрын

    Seems some one is looking for gold in it lately

  • @rankyeller
    @rankyeller2 жыл бұрын

    Just here waiting for Jeff Williams to comment on how he would love to get a detector in here. What a beautiful mine. Wish we had placer deposits/mines here in NM.

  • @user-fy3rd8dr6h

    @user-fy3rd8dr6h

    2 жыл бұрын

    You where a day early lol

  • @Jdub6580
    @Jdub65802 жыл бұрын

    dude. seeing that tree bark literally gave me goosebumps. can't imagine seeing it in person, I'd probably spend an hour photographing it under different colors of light and what not. seeing something that old yet still vibrant in it's own way puts things in perspective for me. thanks a lot!

  • @LolPepperGate
    @LolPepperGate2 жыл бұрын

    Crazy mine. Lots of exploritory everywhere. That ancient charcoal'd wood was really cool to see

  • @diggah
    @diggah2 жыл бұрын

    Love the new wide angle lens. Can see so much more. Thanks once again for the great content.

  • @vapormissile

    @vapormissile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Amen.

  • @BryanSpringborn
    @BryanSpringborn2 жыл бұрын

    This is the coolest mine you shared. Simply fascinating. Thank you!

  • @tallat8888
    @tallat88882 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing this amazing mine exploration. It is incredible to think about how our planet evolved.

  • @leesherman100
    @leesherman1002 жыл бұрын

    The old remaining buildings and cars are every much a treasure as the mine is. Perhaps more of this could be shown when possible. Another great vid I must say.

  • @debbiehenson227
    @debbiehenson2272 жыл бұрын

    Thank you thank you I have never seen the under side of a ancient river, and truly loved seeing this you are so brave to do this, it is truly appreciated by me.

  • @sandman2156
    @sandman21562 жыл бұрын

    I want to thank you for the hardship you go through to show such amazing sights and history left behind yet discovered.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Glad you are enjoying the fruits of our efforts...

  • @donmorrow1045
    @donmorrow10452 жыл бұрын

    Awesome job showing this great mine loved the old buildings wish there was equipment but again Awesome content as usual ty

  • @paulcooper2897
    @paulcooper28972 жыл бұрын

    Placer mines are so incredible to see! The cross sections of millenia, or instant moments are so intriguing. Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

  • @johncarold
    @johncarold2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Justin WOW ! Thanks for this one. I have to stop it , but before I go, I just wanted to thank you for this one. Incredible Placer mine. I have a million questions about it. Can't wait to see the rest.

  • @DFDuck55
    @DFDuck552 жыл бұрын

    My favorite! Tertiary river bed and pyroclastic flow. Where the buckets, pan, pipes, and electric light were I'm guessing a mom & pop mining crew was running a highbanker in there. Though with everything else left in that area why wouldn't the highbanker still be there, unless some explorer found it and took it. But why would they take a highbanker and leave the pans? Very cool mine. The kind of place I wouldn't mind spending a few summers playing at.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Not sure about the highbanker, but it was nowhere to be seen... And, yes, I'm fond of these types of mines as well.

  • @DFDuck55

    @DFDuck55

    2 жыл бұрын

    I just said highbanker based on that I would do if I were hobby working this site on a small budget. Why carry the placer material out to work in the hot sun when you've got water right there and electricity to run a pump. Gold pans in the mine kind of make me think they were working it in the mine and not outside. I saw no evidence of any separation type equipment anywhere outdoors, or waste piles. Running a highbanker inside the mine you could just move the waste a short distance and back fill an unused drift. If that is what they were doing, the thing I would do differently would be use flexible black PVC pipe rather than the rigid sections. I could easily be 100% wrong though :>

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@DFDuck55 It makes a lot of sense. We came across a significant dredging operation in an underground placer mine once!

  • @lironmtnranch4765

    @lironmtnranch4765

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring They might have even been hydraulic mining hard to reach edges right through a sluice box. Couldn't get away with that on a surface mine but anything goes when you're hidden underground... including the roof above your head if you get too greedy!

  • @gingerbread6614
    @gingerbread66142 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic show & tell. Thank you so much. You always make it so interesting

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @glendadalejones3753
    @glendadalejones37532 жыл бұрын

    Wow,this was pretty special,huh? Excellent wander around.and so pretty too. Thankyou 🙌👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @williamwintemberg
    @williamwintemberg2 жыл бұрын

    Wow! Justin! This mine is a true gem! So much gobbing and backfill. Great explanations on all. This is one for the books!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @karlfonner7589
    @karlfonner75892 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. We appreciate it

  • @iispjhanna
    @iispjhanna2 жыл бұрын

    liked and subscribed. You are now my #1 mine exploration video adventurer!

  • @katherinekinnaird4408
    @katherinekinnaird44082 жыл бұрын

    Super interesting. Thank you for all your diligence.

  • @rockymountainlifeprospecti4423
    @rockymountainlifeprospecti44232 жыл бұрын

    Always finding those old cabins, we have them all over the Rockies, love it, time capsules! Great video guys!

  • @BerlinGonzalez
    @BerlinGonzalez2 жыл бұрын

    How can you be under 100K - Keep up the good content coming. Thanks!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. I'll keep doing it for as long as I can...

  • @herbwhitmore4482
    @herbwhitmore44822 жыл бұрын

    I will bet that they pulled a .LOT of gold out of that mine . Seeing the riverbed from the underside , very cool

  • @gheffz
    @gheffz2 жыл бұрын

    Really love your videos, mate. They certainly did work this area!

  • @zerofox7347
    @zerofox73472 жыл бұрын

    What an absolutely fascinating mine.great video.

  • @SueGirling68
    @SueGirling682 жыл бұрын

    Hi Justin, wow those two cabins were so cool, a shame to see them almost at the end of their lives though. The mine itself was very haphazard in where the different drifts went and all of the little off shoots of breasting, very unique to see such a large placer mine operation that is still for the most part accessible. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 💞

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, it is always a shame to see old buildings slipping away. Those cabins date to the 1890s. You're absolutely right about how rare it is to have a placer mine that is mostly accessible!

  • @grumpy5724
    @grumpy57242 жыл бұрын

    That power wire going in, is a small fortune. Good thing you don't say where they are. The scrappers would definitely be getting that wire. Great mine. i like the old trees.

  • @tommystanton3344
    @tommystanton33442 жыл бұрын

    I love this stuff. I literally could watch it all day.

  • @KubotaManDan
    @KubotaManDan2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome explore, you still have the best mine explores. Great views of all the geology & keen eye for artifacts

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks 👍

  • @archstanton9206
    @archstanton92062 жыл бұрын

    Incredible mount of physical labor in that mine, at least that is what struck me. The geology in there was also unreal, the burned trees, all of it...really incredible. You know me, I love the old buildings and the stories they tell, I could spend hours just wandering around looking at the infrastructure above ground. Really enjoyed this one.

  • @williambergman3840

    @williambergman3840

    2 жыл бұрын

    Me too🤬

  • @williambergman3840

    @williambergman3840

    2 жыл бұрын

    Too bad these places were not kept up over the years😾

  • @herrmp5sd
    @herrmp5sd2 жыл бұрын

    Cool mine and a great video 👍😎👌

  • @bring6not12
    @bring6not122 жыл бұрын

    i hate how history like this is left behind and forgotten to fall apart, so glad im born at just the right time to explore them!

  • @jonbeauchamp156
    @jonbeauchamp156 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the adventure!

  • @TheSilmarillian
    @TheSilmarillian2 жыл бұрын

    @10:10 modern extension lead electrical cable someone is still poking around in there or it could just be colour coded electrical wire I could be wrong as further on its taped to what appears to be older cable and insulators ,looked more modern to me but sometimes the camera distorts the view and I think I saw a large chunk of crystal or quarts at the time stamp, great explore hello again from Australia opal miner here .@32:22 looks like a face lol

  • @johngiromini5745
    @johngiromini57452 жыл бұрын

    This has certainly been one of the more exquisitely colorful placer mines in your explorations. As you were walking, I could imagine a St. Helen style event talking place to form that mine. Very good job indeed!

  • @gingerbread6614
    @gingerbread66142 жыл бұрын

    Great videos. Thank you

  • @beansinacan500
    @beansinacan5002 жыл бұрын

    The charred wood in the pyroclastic flow was so cool to see. I didn't know it did that and was able to preserve trees that well.

  • @jamesfohare
    @jamesfohare2 жыл бұрын

    G-day Justin very interesting undercut it may have been a worth while look at the back. With a blacklite just to see what if anything showed up. great video cheers.

  • @krakhedd
    @krakhedd2 жыл бұрын

    They dug out parts of a system of ancients mountain creeks and streams. Imagining the various drifts and stopes as still flowing not buried under lava. Great stuff man, thank you 🤘

  • @philwallace1629
    @philwallace16292 жыл бұрын

    Great job even when you're tired you did it

  • @fisk0
    @fisk02 жыл бұрын

    Such a fascinating amount of layers of history here - from the 25-30 year old remains of the hunter lodge, to the century-ish old mine ... to remains of a forest that was destroyed so long before human history that it's near impossible to comprehend.

  • @lordpie70
    @lordpie702 жыл бұрын

    Another quality video!

  • @joshuajackson6442
    @joshuajackson64422 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the adventure and history

  • @michaelrietz9220
    @michaelrietz92202 жыл бұрын

    thanks for your show i enjoy it keep up good work i love the wilderness no depressed or stressful peace and quiet i love thoses cabin they are beautiful

  • @trevortaylor5501
    @trevortaylor55012 жыл бұрын

    Very cool, the trees petrified is fascinating.

  • @usermanual02
    @usermanual022 жыл бұрын

    I like the atmosphere of this one! The water and way it was carved out seem unique. Much better that those dry desert shafts (IMO).

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you found it more interesting...

  • @IBRAKEFORBEDROCK
    @IBRAKEFORBEDROCK2 жыл бұрын

    Love the Placer mine videos! Those must be big ancient river channels

  • @ivanferguson2509
    @ivanferguson25092 жыл бұрын

    Love how you were able to showcase the ancient bedrock with the river channel then the volcanic layer above. Underground placer mining not a big thing here in southwest colorado, hardrock mining is the ticket here. Can't wait till next Wednesday to see what new explore you share with us.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Yes, the underground placer mines of this area are very unique... Underground placer mining exists elsewhere in the world, but I don't know anywhere else that taps into the ancient river channels as in the Sierra Nevada.

  • @Ed_in_Md
    @Ed_in_Md2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome mine. I have heard of placer mines but that’s the first I’ve even seen pictures of. Really different. It would be interesting to do a carbon date test on a piece of those trees. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @Ironsja11
    @Ironsja112 жыл бұрын

    I would have had a hard time leaving that old windlass behind @ 3:40. That was a way cool artifact! Also I would have had my Gold pan handy in that mine there was even water to pan in.

  • @davebeckley2584
    @davebeckley25842 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating, mining a stream but from the bottom up. Conspicuous in their absence is any indication that dynamite was used to break up the river rock, an indication of the structural integrity of the concreted gravels worn round by millions of years of tumbling though this mine isn't as unstable as some other ancient placer mines you've explored where the drifts remained open through wishful thinking. Great video. Thanks Justin.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, this one was more stable than a lot of the underground placer mines that we have visited. I'm trying to figure out the exact mix that is the determining factor for the strength of the placer material.

  • @donaldking8288
    @donaldking82882 жыл бұрын

    That is really a fascinating place, I would be prospecting like crazy, thanks for video 📹

  • @Hoosier_Boy
    @Hoosier_Boy2 жыл бұрын

    Very cool workings from that old river back.

  • @Steven-vo8tk
    @Steven-vo8tk2 жыл бұрын

    Loved the video. Heard of a mine in Tennessee that was reopened. Didn't know if you had heard of it or traveled to explore mines. The Eureka #2 mine

  • @darinday6930
    @darinday69302 жыл бұрын

    Finally had some time to get to your channel and watch a video. Looks like you haven't slowed down either!.. cool mine!

  • @1944chevytruck
    @1944chevytruck2 жыл бұрын

    AWESOME!...thanks 4 video. be kind.

  • @rael6_4wd
    @rael6_4wd2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video/mine. The mist near the entrance is straight out of a horror film. ❤️

  • @Stand.Your.Ground.
    @Stand.Your.Ground. Жыл бұрын

    I am just so amazed by all the placer!

  • @ADITADDICTS
    @ADITADDICTS2 жыл бұрын

    Imo both buildings look the same age. The corrugated tin roof was put on over the original shake roof, you can see it where the tin is missing. Most likely because of the wood stove that was put in and not to catch the roof on fire. That's a bloodhound gang song.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, you're right. I noticed that when I was editing the video... I found out later that both cabins date to the 1890s.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    And, yes, you're right about the Bloodhound Gang.

  • @ADITADDICTS

    @ADITADDICTS

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring 1890s would be the same time frame as Scott Lawsons cabin on east Nelson cr. Bitchin.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ADITADDICTS Yep. Pretty awesome, huh?

  • @ADITADDICTS

    @ADITADDICTS

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring Always. Never gets old, unlike me. Lol

  • @-r-495
    @-r-4952 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating. 32:49: There‘s iron oxides oozing out of the left side of the stope. Looks like they where looking for earlier embankments, if you‘re in an adit of shale with stalactites made of such a compound you‘re standing under another old aquifer. Bedrock-undisturbed riverbed-sand, organic debris from erosion of embankments, then tuff, then the organic layer and basalt on top (best guess). Thank you, again, for this amazing recording.

  • @thelifewedo
    @thelifewedo4 ай бұрын

    This was fascinating. Very cool indeed

  • @DavidHuber63
    @DavidHuber632 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏

  • @chrisandersen5184
    @chrisandersen51842 жыл бұрын

    Another awesome video! I'm finding myself trying to travel geological time. How deep did this river get buried before it was raised? How much elevation did it travel to reach its current height in the Sierras?

  • @kerzwhile
    @kerzwhile2 жыл бұрын

    This is incredible!! I Love Placer Mines! 😉 I would have grabbed that pan and stayed for a few days!! Have you ever found anything notable or worth keeping? 🤔 but didnt😉

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    The underground placer mines are definitely unique. Sketchier to explore by far, but their uniqueness is compensation for that... We see notable things all of the time in the remote mines, but, no, we don't take anything.

  • @AmalgmousProxy
    @AmalgmousProxy2 жыл бұрын

    Your ability to locate these places is amazing. I do have to admit seeing that shoe seemed a bit... foreboding.

  • @DFDuck55

    @DFDuck55

    2 жыл бұрын

    It used to be fairly common to leave a pair of boots behind as a gift for the Tommyknockers. But not a single modern tennis shoe. That was... strange.

  • @robertlyman9789

    @robertlyman9789

    6 ай бұрын

    Crazy orgys

  • @casedoumasr656
    @casedoumasr6562 жыл бұрын

    Awesome discovery great research . Like they say if only those cabins could only talk a little more .allways believe in left and right turns look what you found for us all to see.p.s. finding the trees in the charcoal form was an outstanding fine congratulations. It could be a cypress tree .thank you.

  • @suzyqc7607able
    @suzyqc7607able2 жыл бұрын

    \0/ WoW i love this.. So many old places, untouched but for time..

  • @Paleoman
    @Paleoman2 жыл бұрын

    Hey, just want to say outstanding presentation. That was an incredible video. The remenants of a pyroclastic flow in the cieling above you gives me goosbumps. Any chance this is related to the eruption that created the Mammouth Mtn. caldera?l imagine you might be 75 miles N.W. of there. Thank you for sharing!

  • @michaelmiller609
    @michaelmiller6092 жыл бұрын

    The charcoal trees were something else. Amazing!! That must have been quite the adventure for the original miners finding chunks of nuggets.

  • @markattardo
    @markattardo2 жыл бұрын

    So much too look at in there. The flows (lahar?) really fascinate me. Other than the trees, what remains inside to glimpse the past? The cabin and workshop were awesome too. Fantastic explore!!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    The entire mine was the bottom of an ancient river. The only thing that WASN'T from the ancient past was the mining equipment...

  • @markattardo

    @markattardo

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring I was thinking stone artifacts, bones etc. What you showed was phenomenal!

  • @VegasCyclingFreak
    @VegasCyclingFreak2 жыл бұрын

    28:53 That is one of the most interesting things I have seen in a mine.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, I found that very interesting as well...

  • @Tom22AG
    @Tom22AG2 жыл бұрын

    Seeing that bark pattern was pretty amazing, have not seen anything like that before

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Despite being tens of millions of years old, the wood was still soft. We could've taken it outside and used it for firewood...

  • @markcantemail8018
    @markcantemail80182 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the Video , You are one Special Type of Human Being .

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Haha, I hope you mean "special" in the positive sense!

  • @markcantemail8018

    @markcantemail8018

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring It was on the Calendar in the first part of the Video . They knew you would show up in the Future !

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@markcantemail8018 Ah, yes, of course... I'm a little slow sometimes. Very thoughtful of them to anticipate me coming, wasn't it?

  • @grizzleypeak
    @grizzleypeak2 жыл бұрын

    Oh, no.... Sad to see the cabin got smashed. It was in decent shape a couple of years ago. Most of the artifacts seem to still be there. Looks like someone stole the home made sled that was in the shed. It was made from old longboard skis. That place is a museum in it's own right. Too bad it's fading away fast. There were more cabins standing there when I was a little kid. Looks like I should get out there again soon before it's all gone. Very interesting geology there... Thanks for recording the place for posterity!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Cory just told me today about the missing sled... So, I was definitely disappointed to learn about that. I would love to have seen them back when you did. There was another collapsed cabin below the two in this video, but I didn't include it. I didn't see the remains of any other structures, but the brush is thick there. You're right though about all of these places fading away quickly. That's why I started doing the videos in the first place in order to document what I could before it all disappeared.

  • @grizzleypeak

    @grizzleypeak

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring In 2014 I made a video of the upper cabins called "Abandoned 1920's cabins..." It is still on my channel. The lower cabin was collapsed at that time.. I remember an old bed with a fancy iron headboard being in the lower cabin in the 80's when my dad took me there. I think it is crushed under the wreckage. I always wondered how deep the mine went.... Quite impressive in there. I have only been in 50 feet, maybe!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    ​@@grizzleypeak Cory sent me a link of your video... I always find it interesting to compare your videos to how these places look when I find them years later. If I recall correctly, there is a piece of that headboard in the lower cabin poking up through the ruins.

  • @adambatchelder4121
    @adambatchelder41217 ай бұрын

    Very cool, I was at those cabins this summer. Still standing but even closer to the end now. Did you explore the big diggens to the west of there? With all the large metal pipe ?

  • @jarvislarson6864
    @jarvislarson68642 жыл бұрын

    Seeing how many mines youve explored i imagine one of these days youre gonna be climbing over a collapse or slough off a wall and find a huge gold nugget.....the odds gotta be quite high in your favor. I hope you do too.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    No big nuggets yet, but we've seen small amounts of gold before... Appreciate the positive wishes!

  • @fredfarquar7679
    @fredfarquar76792 жыл бұрын

    Very nice explore! These tertiary age placer mines always remind me of the wonder and the tragedy of the Ruby Mine near Downieville (article in California Mining Journal archives). They followed a fairly low-grade vein for ~1/4 mile and ran across an ancient river bed that was richer, so they followed it. As they went, it got richer and richer; at the end they were pulling out many nuggets of one pound; one shaped like a grapefruit was 8 pounds, another slab nugget was 20 pounds. (A collection of these was exhibited for many years at a casino in Las Vegas). They were sure they were getting close to a fabulous source vein! BUT: The mine was closed down during WWII (Dammit!), and when they could reopen it, they found a major collapse had occurred only ~100' from the portal, and they didn't have the capital to remove it. Surveying showed that, to reach the working face again, they'd have to drive a vertical shaft 1900 feet from the top of the mountain. There's one heckuva rich vein and placer somewhere still down there, but it would take tens of million$ to reach it now. Like I said: a wonder and a tragedy!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    A nine part series on the Ruby was on this channel for a while. I made it all of the way through the old workings and it remains one of the toughest explores that I have done... A number of companies have tried to do something with the Ruby - like Brush Creek or North Bay Resources - but none of them have succeeded. The geologist at our mine worked there as well and he doesn't see potential in the placer deposits that were being worked in the past, but in a lode vein under the present workings.

  • @chrisackerley1842

    @chrisackerley1842

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring Justin - is that 9-part series still posted? I haven't seen it. If not, could you re-post it? Thanks.

  • @johnhunt2390

    @johnhunt2390

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring l

  • @corvidflight19
    @corvidflight1910 ай бұрын

    Just a guess is that the same people that used that shack as a hunting cabin in the 90's were probly doing the mineing with the newer stuff. I know that white pvc came out probly in the early 80's, in the 70's they made black pvc. The black pvc would rot if left in sunlight. Buy the early 2000's pex would have been used for water lines as it is harder to freaze. My other guess is the guy most likely died, and no one took care of the hunting shack, and no one has been back for the stuff in the mine.

  • @_tyrannus
    @_tyrannus2 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating one.

  • @TheSWolfe
    @TheSWolfe Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating geologic time-capsule! Disorienting, too -- having volcano-twisted traces of long-gone waterways winding over your head & charred, petrified/mineralized woodland material peppered throughout ribs & back, all sandwiched 'neath product of pyroclastic flow iced by lahar. Love the old live/work quarters, amazingly still upright, filled w/yesteryear's supplies & gear. Combined w/lush surrounding landscape, it brings to mind a scene straight out of Hansel & Gretel or Snow White & the 7 Dwarves!

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, this was a fun one!

  • @shinkicker404
    @shinkicker4042 жыл бұрын

    Watched a number of your videos so far and this mine looks like it’s the most unstable I can remember seeing… The roof is so weird, like it’s just dirt or so,etching and it could collapse whenever it wants. Do these types mines always go into/under lava flows? River beds?

  • @oldschoolmoto
    @oldschoolmoto2 жыл бұрын

    Nice one looks just like your underground placer mine vid pick marks are the same and gobbing. cabins are cool to

  • @TheNimshew
    @TheNimshew2 жыл бұрын

    "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." 1991? Oh, that wasn't so long ago.. 30 years! Damn, I'm getting old. You know, I was supposed to go to work today. Thanks a lot, TVR! The rule of thumb is, bottom 2 feet of gravel, top 1 foot of bedrock. That "bedrock" above you looks like a concreted lahar. Mud flow that covered the river gravels. Sometimes actual lava flowed over the landscape, covering everything in hundreds of feet of material. If you remember the story of Alexander McKenzie. A slab like one of those peeled off the ceiling and gave him a compound fracture of his thigh bone. Dragged himself through the snow to his cabin, lay on his pallet and gave himself a lethal shot of Morphine

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    I haven't heard the "two feet of gravel, 1 foot of bedrock" rule before, but, yes, that would absolutely hit the sweet spot in these ancient river channels. These geological zones are definitely very slabby!

  • @lickkermit
    @lickkermit Жыл бұрын

    I was thinking that would be horrible to work in 100 years ago without wet gear.... then it came to me maybe it wasn't so wet as they were mining it out. Great videos.... I wish the Forsest Service didn't close so many down.

  • @LetscampingwithTara
    @LetscampingwithTara2 жыл бұрын

    Very coOLL find

  • @debra4542
    @debra45422 жыл бұрын

    I wonder about how much of this technique is deliberate on the part of the vocalist, or whether this is instinctual? I love your analysis. Your observations certainly help me to appreciate the talent of the artists. They are amazing, are they not?

  • @Conky769
    @Conky7692 жыл бұрын

    That PVC piping makes me think an ameteur crew had a high banker setup and were moving around that zone using the water source.

  • @russellsmith3825

    @russellsmith3825

    2 жыл бұрын

    That equipment and pipe look VERY recent, like it may have been in use in the last year or so. Maybe there was a date on that water bottle.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're probably right.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    @russell smith Non-organic material like plastic and paint do not age underground as they do on the surface exposed to the sun and weather. It is not an exaggeration to say that they could be decades old.

  • @Vingul

    @Vingul

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TVRExploring hey, I notice your replies here are very recent(!), just wanna say I found this really fascinating. Never seen anything like that underground petrified wood.

  • @IFIXCASTLES
    @IFIXCASTLES2 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting! From a metal detectorist.

  • @ericscarburry8637
    @ericscarburry86372 жыл бұрын

    I like this mine.

  • @davidmicheletti6292
    @davidmicheletti62922 жыл бұрын

    Placer mines are so amazing. Your basically looking up,from the bottom of a river.

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Exactly.

  • @markhooper5824
    @markhooper5824 Жыл бұрын

    Those old trees were amazing. I would have to take a piece and frame it.

  • @milla698
    @milla6982 жыл бұрын

    I love it when you find these old places. I think the only reason this place is standing is the metal roof saved it

  • @TVRExploring

    @TVRExploring

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, I think you're right.