Trail Discussion: Looking for a mine....

[nwoods]

Recently I was asked for a recommendation of a cool mine that can be visited by "somewhat elderly folks" by normal car with minimal hiking. Ideally within 2 hours of LA.

I'm drawing a blank. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'd like something like this, but this does NOT qualify with limited access and distance to LA

[Roger]

Does it have to have a structure as in the photo, or will just a shaft meet their needs?

[vwtipeii]

Roger, isn't that kind of personal???

[WOKNROX]

Does it have to have a structure as in the photo, or will just a shaft meet their needs?

Ha! ha!....
That's funny ...!

[alittleoff]

How about Lucky Baldwin then over to Holcomb Valley.

Steve

[mkjeepers]

I'm drawing a blank. Does anyone have any recommendations?

There's no wonder, those are some limited options - how about Knott's Berry Farm. lol. The living ghost town of Randsburg would be real interesting for exploring. There's some shops, a museum and a lot of old mine sites that can be viewed from the public streets.

Caico is a little further, but nice to walk around.

[nwoods]

I love the museum at Randsburg.

Here is what I put together in response to this query:
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I found out about a neat mine that I am going to try to check out soon. It's called the Evening Star mine, located at these coordinates (this works in GoogleMaps):
35°21'42"N 115°32'34"W

It's point B on this map (if this link works)
http://goo.gl/maps/q0A3A


Coming from Cima Road, you'll veer off onto a Kessler Peak Rd. which is a dirt road. Take that road a few miles to the Northeast and continue looking to the right (east). Eventually you'll see the mine shaft tower. Once you see the mine shaft tower you'll turn right on one of the dirt roads that leads up to the mine. There are 3 or 4 mine shafts up there and a walk in mine but it's not very deep.
Photos:
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/9655835...57631654936339
There's quite a few more images of that immediate area: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9655835...7631654936339/

Another drive up mine in that same area, that is a major strip mine of a more modern vintage, is the Aikens Mine.
It's point C on the same map. It's very accessible via a short stretch of dirt road off Kelbaker Road.
Here are photos I took from a trip there two winters ago:
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Jeep-Adven...4729&k=zmt3g7s

Immediately west of Aikens mine (less than a mile away, on the same road) is the Lava Tubes, which is pretty cool. You walk down a ships ladder, crawl about 15 feet on your hands and knees in the dark, then are presented with an amazing cavern, depending on the time of day:
- http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rover...543814&k=sLdB4
- http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rover...543913&k=JTRKK
- http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rover...544058&k=6h63h


It also occurs to me that Cailco Ghost Town is in that same general area near Baker, and offers a drive up approach, a small train tour, and a short (very !) walking tour into a portion of the Silver King mine. Here are some photos I took a while ago: http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Family/Calico-Ghost-Town/

[6spdYJ]

Calico is a bit touristy, but a great option to see the history and a known safe mine to walk through. Access for vehicles and people with limited articulation is good.

[mkjeepers]

The Evening Star isn't too far off the road. While you're out there you can drive into Kelso and check out the MNP headquarters and restored train station. They have a small resteraunt and visitor center there. From there it's a short drive to the Death Valley mine.

Pix of a previous trip out there - Photobucket is a little slow at loading up.
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

Here's some pix of the Evening Star mine. You can't go inside the mine, it's all gated off.
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow