Tweet
After 2 calls to do a small group run to see some mines today, I met Josh and Dinesh (LEADFOOT) in his Cherokee and Mike (Deepwater) in his yellow Rubicon in Hesperia. We headed to Lucerne and gassed up at the regular place and then headed north on Hwy 247 for the fun stuff!
We aired down as we hit the dirt and then headed to the Jim Hill Mine first. This has a short 60 foot tunnel at the end of a neat narrow canyon. A nice climb and view.
Next we headed north a couple of miles and went to the Double AA Mines 1 & 2. We checked out the #1 lower mine and walked the split tunnel 235' and 60'. This area has stayed very clean since we worked on it last summer and made the camp site.
Next we drove the narrow trail up to the #2 upper mine. This mine goes in about 250' and angles downward from the start at about 20 degrees. Nice clean tunnel.
Then we again headed north a couple more miles to the Gold Belt Mine. I stayed out this time and let the others climb down the 10 foot enterance. This mine goes back at least 800' at the lower level, but Mike and Josh stopped short of the end and did not belly crawl over a small cave-in at the half way point. This mine has at least 3 levels and was a large gold producer once upon a time. The huge concrete mill foundations easily could have supported a 15-20 stamp mill! A very impressive site. After relaxing in the sun and enjoying the peace and quiet for a bit we continued on for more.
We headed north on Hwy 247 to OM6440 (SV183) and headed east 15 miles or so pointing out other site on the way to Camp Rock Road. Off Camp Rock Road we headed to the Ord Belt Mine. This is in a secluded deep canyon and has a couple of 4X4 climbs to get to the mines. First we explored the lower tunnel that goes in 436'. We found interesting minerials and things in the rock as we hiked to the back. We could see where the ore cart tracks were laid all the way to the end. The most interesting thing to me was the forming of baby Stalagmites on the ceiling of the tunnel! At one spot there were some water drops on the ceiling and at the tips of calcium deposits. Some were an inch long and absolutely a living developing natural feature. Very rare and quite interesting. I turned around at the 350' mark and the others went to the end.
Next we had one more 4x4 climb and stopped at the upper tunnel. This tunnel goes in over 250' but is different in that it has several twists and turns in it. We explored to the end and made a couple of videos while inside. There are a couple of other smaller tunnels in the area but we decided to call it a day and save some for next time!
Another awesome sunset on the way home.
Thanks you Mike, Josh and Dinesh for the great company and the interest in this place. It was so nice with a small group of easy going guys. After yesterdays 16 vehicle cluster at Cakewalk this was a much needed relief.
Mitch
We aired down as we hit the dirt and then headed to the Jim Hill Mine first. This has a short 60 foot tunnel at the end of a neat narrow canyon. A nice climb and view.
Next we headed north a couple of miles and went to the Double AA Mines 1 & 2. We checked out the #1 lower mine and walked the split tunnel 235' and 60'. This area has stayed very clean since we worked on it last summer and made the camp site.
Next we drove the narrow trail up to the #2 upper mine. This mine goes in about 250' and angles downward from the start at about 20 degrees. Nice clean tunnel.
Then we again headed north a couple more miles to the Gold Belt Mine. I stayed out this time and let the others climb down the 10 foot enterance. This mine goes back at least 800' at the lower level, but Mike and Josh stopped short of the end and did not belly crawl over a small cave-in at the half way point. This mine has at least 3 levels and was a large gold producer once upon a time. The huge concrete mill foundations easily could have supported a 15-20 stamp mill! A very impressive site. After relaxing in the sun and enjoying the peace and quiet for a bit we continued on for more.
We headed north on Hwy 247 to OM6440 (SV183) and headed east 15 miles or so pointing out other site on the way to Camp Rock Road. Off Camp Rock Road we headed to the Ord Belt Mine. This is in a secluded deep canyon and has a couple of 4X4 climbs to get to the mines. First we explored the lower tunnel that goes in 436'. We found interesting minerials and things in the rock as we hiked to the back. We could see where the ore cart tracks were laid all the way to the end. The most interesting thing to me was the forming of baby Stalagmites on the ceiling of the tunnel! At one spot there were some water drops on the ceiling and at the tips of calcium deposits. Some were an inch long and absolutely a living developing natural feature. Very rare and quite interesting. I turned around at the 350' mark and the others went to the end.
Next we had one more 4x4 climb and stopped at the upper tunnel. This tunnel goes in over 250' but is different in that it has several twists and turns in it. We explored to the end and made a couple of videos while inside. There are a couple of other smaller tunnels in the area but we decided to call it a day and save some for next time!
Another awesome sunset on the way home.
Thanks you Mike, Josh and Dinesh for the great company and the interest in this place. It was so nice with a small group of easy going guys. After yesterdays 16 vehicle cluster at Cakewalk this was a much needed relief.
Mitch
[/COLOR]
Comment