Abandoned Mine Exploring with Tom and Julie
Abandoned Mine Exploring with Tom and Julie
Hello and welcome to our channel. We travel the southwest U.S. to find cool places to explore. We have explored over 2000 mines and it is our main focus, but we also make videos of hiking/climbing, 'how to' instructional advice, and live music.
The videos are organized into playlists, so please click the playlist tab on our homepage for easy navigation of our channel.
We would love to have you as a subscriber, and love hearing from you, so please subscribe and leave a comment for us.
Thanks, Tom and Julie
WARNING: Entering abandoned mines is not safe. Mine names and locations may not be correct, and workings depicted may not actually exist the way they are presented.
The videos on this channel are for entertainment purposes only.
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Thank you for a nice video looking forward to the nest one.
Hi Gary. You're welcome. We're glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!😄
WindyBill here, the talc mine that was big was mined by Pfizer minerals back in the 70 or 80. they had 2 or 3 mines around there. that was a very large mine and would love to see what is behind that wood bulkhead as that looks like the main haullage tunnel . I understand that there is miles of tunnels down there. as ti was worked from the 30 to the 70 or 80. when my daughter went in there back in 2001 as she fit through the bars on the front gate there were still equipment tire track on the ground to that bulkhead. there is a entrance up on top of the mountion that dropes down in to the mine but did not have the equipment with me back then to go in to it as i was only camping with friends.
Hi Bill. Yes, it's a big mine. Those big drive in style adits are not the most exciting mines to explore, in my opinion. The gate was not locked when we were there. I have no idea what's beyond the bulkhead. Here is a link to a video of one of my favorite talc mines. Thanks for the comment!😄 kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZGlmw8yHf7TZiJs.htmlsi=G56VFLEArLm6mZKs
Nothing but meth heads out there boy. 😂
Hi Tom, Julie & Chillis, that was a very hairy part at 2:02, I was so worried. Wow that mine had a lot going on with both outside and the inside, awesome job guys. I loved that windlass, very cool how it was still intact, very rare I would say. Could that black ore be Obsidian ????? Very cool to see that Jaw Crusher just sat there minding it's own business, it still looks in pretty good shape too. What a unique place and with those spectacular views it must have made for a great day. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 🥰
Hi Sue. Yes, it was a great day of exploring for the three of us. The views are great, and all the artifacts still there just "minding their own business" are fun to see. Glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!😊❤️
@@TomandJulieMineExploring 🥰💞
Love your videos. They are fascinating. Thank you again.
I'm glad that you are enjoying our videos. Thanks for watching and commenting!😄
Added this one to my list. Now I just need to find it. :)
Hi Doug. Yes, this should be on your 'to find' list. Finding it is half the fun!😄
@@TomandJulieMineExploring I have a feeling it will be much harder than a couple of ore carts. :)
Lots of really cool artifacts, another awesome video thanks guys!
Hi Daniel. Glad that you liked the artifacts. Thanks for watching!😄
In 1998, a close buddy and I were hired to do mapping & surveys of a range in central Nevada. It was the sort of beginning of the campaign to install cages over exposed mines. When we started, we were given detailed satellite maps that used all available data to produce the maps themselves. According to all records, we should’ve only found 41 mines. What we actually found, was nearly 4,500 mines. We went into each one, a project which consumed two and a half years of our lives. We took samples, detailed video and pictures, we even collected serial numbers tied to each location off of mining equipment and did find nearly all original ownership or purchase documentation. Sadly, we turned in our final report, nearly 7,000 pages of documented mines, artifacts, graves, unknown camps. We found 129 separate sets of human remains, which were left intact where found, we just documented. What was disturbing, after we submitted the report to a local FEDERAL agency, about a year later we went back up to explore a few of the sites we’d documented, and low and behold, most what once was, was then gone. We were given a variety of excuses and reasoning, however, when we saw two of the steam plates/engines in the office of the very agency we had done the work for, we knew there and then, it was them who’d taken most of what we had found. Those old mines tell a story of which can’t ever be told again. History in motion and left nearly exactly how it was then. Anyhow, enjoy your channel and would love to go out with you two sometime. Robert
Those old engines are pretty interesting.
Yes, they are. I really like that Aurora. Thanks for the comment!😄
Spectacular site, Tom and Julie. It's a breathtaking open-air museum of historical mining, and I hope it stays that way forever. I'd love to visit it myself someday before I get too old (hah!), but I acknowledge and highly respect that you keep the location secret. It's the right thing to do. You two are my favorite mine explorers by far.
Thanks for the nice comment! I'm glad that you enjoy the site and its natural mine setting. Hopefully, it stays that was as you said.😄
It’s sad seeing all those great finds of mining camps and mines sitting out in the yards of junk stores.
I agree, Robert. Even museums are too numerous to me. There are very few intact mines left in the wild. Thanks for the comment!😄
Hey guy's I wanted to say hi and enjoyed video, take care and be safe
@user-hp8oq7yd5n Hi Gary. Thanks for stopping by our channel. Glad that you liked the video!😄
Another good video.
Thanks, Brad. Glad that you liked it!😄
Hello Tom and Julie, The Aurora Engine Company was formed in 1906 to build gasoline engines for Holt tractors as they transitioned from steam to gas. Holt and Best combined in 1925 to form a little-known company called Caterpillar. dave
Hi Dave. That's an interesting bit of history. That engine is in pretty good shape as far as you can tell from looking at it. Thanks for your input!😊
Location?
Can't give this one out, Robert.
Great job! More than 100 years old mine- looks like it has been left a few weeks ago. Thanks for this great video!
Yes, this one is in very good shape. It's a long enough hike that the looters leave it alone. You're welcome, and thank you for watching!😄
Great mine. It must not get many visitors. Lots of artifacts still there! Thanks for taking us along. Take care of each other and stay safe.
Hi Ed. It really is a great place. Not too many people want to hike that far to steal things. You're welcome. Thanks for watching!😄
looks like one of many mines shut down by ww2
That could be. I think it might have been worked after the war as well. Thanks for the comment!😄
That was very interesting. I really enjoyed that. Will stalagmites and stalactites are very cool.😂
Hey Eddie. There are some nice formations in this cave. Glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for the comment!😄
Great hike, awesome mine. Thanks for posting.
Hi Kevin. Glad that you liked the mine. You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting!😄
All the artifacts both inside and outside this mine! The size of the outcropping! It appears there has been visitors but not too many. I'm thinking the long hike up to this mine was worth it. Thanks Tom and Julie!
Hi William. Yes, the hike to this one was worth it. That quartz outcropping is really something. This one get very few visitors because of the remoteness of its location. Thanks for commenting!😆
Thanks Tom and Julie! I couldn’t imagine the dedication it took to work on that mountain. Did the workers ride the tramway, horse, or auto on the old road? Maybe they just slept up there. You guys are tough hikers that travel the paths of tough men. May you always stay safe!
Hi Don. Thete was a road to the mine at one time. I'm guessing that trucks were able to make the trip after the road was improved enough. The ground tram would have been mainly for ore but possibly used for men and equipment, too. Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!😊
I’d love to go exploring with you guys sometime, but I hate snakes and I’d want to keep everything I find 😂
We'd love to have you, except I'd have to check your pockets before we left the mine so you could return everything. Lol Thanks for watching!😆
Tom & Julie thank you for another great adventure. You make recovery from back surgery bearable. Stay safe in all of your adventures.
Hi Kip. I'm sorry to hear your back needed surgery. Hope it's healing the way it should. We appreciate a comment such as yours because it makes what we do worth it. Thank you for the comment!🙏😊
!!!!! Cool🤙👍
Thanks for commenting, Lincoln!😄
Hello to the mine explorer's looks like the power of water sure did a number on this mine road .What you found is all most unbelievable the nice heavey mine equipment.The incline mine made it some what eazier for that in depth explore .But seeing that auger and that rock makes one wonder why.This is a top notch Adventure as allways maybe even more 🇺🇸⛏️Thank you .I will rewind and stop and watch again🏆🤔
Hi Case. The road is very washed out. It is almost unbelievable that all the artifacts are there. I wondered what that auger would be used for, too. Glad that you enjoyed the adventure. Thanks for watching!😄
spectacular views on the way to the mine!
Yes, the views are great. Glad that you liked them. Thanks for the comment!😄
Some kind of gem stone in that mine. Really nice views from the top of the mountain.
Hi Steven. I don't know what all was in that mineral vein. Yes, the views are spectacular from up at the mine. Thanks for the comment!😄
12:40 Prince Albert in a can??!?!?!? WELL YOU BETTER LET HIM OUT!!!!🤣🤣🤣
Haha, you're dating yourself, Larry. Thanks for the laugh!😆
Wonder how many carbide lamps to light up the work area? And why all the lamps disappear?
Hi Robert. I'm not sure how many lamps were used, but small items like that would most likely be taken by the miners to use at another location. Thanks for the comment!😄
Umm, Chili’s
Haha, I said the same thing.😆
While singing I’ll take the hi road, and you take the low road!
Lol. Thanks for the chuckle!😆
Tom and Julie, I see that you got there too late, someone already let the Prince out !! Engines, Engines Tom I want to go to there!
Haha, that's a pretty old one, Mick. You could probably get those engines running in a few days. They are waiting for you!😄
@@TomandJulieMineExploring Tom, that is what I was thinking, waiting for ME and my Kroil!
Hey Tom, are you wearing some sort of gaiters?
Hi Frd and Barb. Yes, I am wearing Dirty Girl lightweight gaiters. Thanks for the comment! dirtygirlgaiters.com/dfl-white.html
what a hike up there!! so much stuff at the mine and wow those minerals! fantastic exploration thanks for sharing
Hi Andrew. Yes, a great hike in a rugged area. Lots of cool stuff here. You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting!😄
Wow! Nice rock at 15:10 ! What is it? Thanks for the video! Regards from Ody Slim
Hi Ody. That is a really cool area there. I have no idea what it is. Thanks for the comment!😄
you guys always take the best pics thanks for sharing
Hi Jerry. I appreciate that you like the photos. Something about a few stills that I like to see. You're welcome, and thank you for watching!😄
Hi Julie great mine awesome equipment 😊 love the color of that piller thanks for the great show😊
Hi Gary. We're glad that you liked the equipment and color of the minerals. Thanks for the nice comment!😊
So it was very rewarding after such a rough trip to get to this mine, it's great to see so many artifacts both above and below the mine and hope they stay around for a long time yet, now I can relate to the old spoked vehicle wheel as I restored a 1929 Chevy which had the same type of wheel so brought back some sweet memories, well done as usual you two and keep them coming , thank you Cheers
Hi Brian and Mary. Yes, a rewarding experience. I tried to extract that wheel just to see the whole thing, but it was stuck so tight that it was going to come apart unless a lot of rock was moved. It's always fun to see the old artifacts. Thanks for watching!😄
Talk about remote! I'll bet it was a "challenge" to get all that equipment and lumber out to the site. Beautiful vein, obviously worth the improvements! Nice to see Chillis along for this explore!
Hi Lesley. I think you're correct about the challenge that the remote location presented. Miners are tough. Chillis is a cool guy. Thanks for the comment!😄
I like that mini arch.. Quite the challenge to get up to that one.. All kinds of cool stuff topside..
Hi Max. That is a cool little arch or hole. Yes, a good hike to a fun location full of good junk. Thanks for the comment!😊
Stunning find ,brilliantly shown once again
Hi Rob. Glad that you liked it. Thanks for the nice comment!😄
The Aurora Engine was developed in 1906 by the Holt brothers, the founders of what eventually became Caterpillar in Stockton, Calif. The engine mfg plant was located on Aurora street and used gasoline for fuel. That is quite a historic piece of tractor history, but due to it's location is likely to remain right where it is. This is a great mine explore with all of the mechanical artifacts still in place.
Hi Dave. Thanks for the information on the Aurora engine. Very interesting and a great piece of history. I hope it stays right where it is for a long time. Glad that you enjoyed the video!😄
Nice video! I enjoyed seeing the jaw crusher also, makes me wonder how they ever got those items there.
Wow *T&J* , that one was quite the extensive operation eh? From multiple engines to even Prince Albert in a can, no less. 🙂 I always try to imagine what happened the last day anyone worked these mines - were they told by the owner to skidaddle, did the vein just run out, was there a market change that instantly made it unprofitable to continue? Who knows - but these guys sure left a lot of stuff behind like they were planning on returning. Thanks as always! - Ed on the Ridge
Hi Ed. It could be any one of those scenarios as the reason a mine shuts down. Remember, many of these old mines have been worked on and off for several decades and often by different operators. Technology changes, and sometimes, the outdated equipment is left behind. It's nice to see these things still there. Thanks for watching and commenting!😄
Greetings from Poteet Texas a cool gold mine.
Hi Gary in Poteet. Glad that you enjoyed the mine. Thanks for watching!😄
2:52 Mercury Barrel (Heavy central ribs around middle) 11:46 Single jack (meant to be used by one miner, a double jack is where two miners each with a hammer alternately hit on one drill rod.) small drill rods were chosen when dynamite was still used. 14:39 hand pick with the handle upside down, 15:11 Galena? silver/lead, 20:18 Lister? A darn good find!
Thanks for the informative comment. We appreciate your input!😊
So much stuff left behind! Very cool discoveries! Love all the quartz.
Hi Lisa. Lots of cool stuff left here. The mineral vein is beautiful. Glad that you liked the explore. Thanks for watching!😊
Hi Tom and Julie. watch all the time don't say anything.😊
Hi Art. Thanks for watching and commenting. It's good to hear from you!😄
that was some old workings, lots of great stuff to look at. thank-you for the video, see you next week.
Hi Tony. Yes, lots of stuff to see. You're welcome. Thanks for the comment!😄
I'm glad people haven't ram sacked that mine it's nice to see all the old stuff still there.
Hi Travis. Yes, it's nice that everything is not gone. Glad that you enjoyed seeing the artifacts. Thanks for watching!😄