Old Mine or Cave? You tell me.

[Chris142]

My mom picked up a new History book. It's a book about the area where I live and grew up here in the desert.

One story in it talked about a lost Gold mine only a few miles from my house. I did not know it existed but I set out looking for it.

I have asked every old timer that I run across.
Read other books.
Bought topo maps that show nothing.
I even talked to the guy that wrote the story in the book.

Nobody knew exactly where it was. Just that it was a very good paying Gold mine until the government shut down Gold mining for ww2.

I knew they basic area where it should be from info in the book.

Tonight after work I hoped on my quad and like a man on a mission I went looking for it. I rode up a mountain side and down a wash. Then up a hill and down the other side.Once the terrain got to rough I had to hoof it.

I found this. Whats strange is that there is no tailing pile. But this area has few if any natural caves.

Did I find it?

 

[Lead Shoes]

Check the area for signs of wash pits or use of natural water flow to clean material, there will either be that or trails from hauling material to another location if it was a mine.

Basically search it or forever wonder.

IMO the small trail up to it looks like either other hikers have investigated or animals have found a new shelter, either way bring a pistol or rifle you are comfortable with on your adventure inside.

Don't forget to bring a camera to share what you find!!!

 

[Chris142]

I think those are hoof prints. That also makes no sense as theres no cattle or wild horses around here and I don't think anybody with 1/2 a brain would try to ride a horse up to it.

It's on a very steep hill. I'm going to try to get to it from the other side.

 

[Recalculating]

" There's gold in those hills. I say there's gold !"

 

[morepwr]

News headline....
Man discovers grizzly bear den in desert!

But seriously I would check it out! I love adventures like that when I am out dirtbiking so I vote to go check it out. Bring a pistol and the brightest flashlight you own!

 

[FZ1]

Don't go in there alone. Looks like water has washed out thru that opening.

 

[bvance554]

I don't think you have the right geology/bedrock to have a typical cave in that area.

 

[Kuato]

Looks like a critter hole to me, judging by the scale of the grass/bushes near the opening.

 

[BobsArmory]

I would be in there in a heatbeat if i lived near you! If you are really freaked out about critters, set up a trail cam at the opening for a few days. Looks like you might have a little adventure on your hands!

 

[JimPghPA]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Check the area for signs of wash pits or use of natural water flow to clean material, there will either be that or trails from hauling material to another location if it was a mine.

Basically search it or forever wonder.

IMO the small trail up to it looks like either other hikers have investigated or animals have found a new shelter, either way bring a pistol or rifle you are comfortable with on your adventure inside.

Don't forget to bring a camera to share what you find!!!


And a 12 gauge with pumpkin ball loads for any big wild animals that might call it home.

 

[pcoxe]

Find a trusted, expendable partner to enter the cave while you stand guard outside.

 

[Kruse]

How many rattlesnakes are in the area?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
How many rattlesnakes are in the area?
a zillion. Although I did not see any but that don't mean they didn't see me.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Originally Posted By: pcoxe
Find a trusted, expendable partner to enter the cave while you stand guard outside.


For some reason, those are in increasingly short supply.....

 

[joaks]

Wouldn't a cave be more likely on the bottom of the hill vs the top?
How large is the opening?

 

[daves66nova]

toss a flare inside the cave,see if anything runs out.

 

[JimPghPA]

Caves (made by nature) vary in size, and often are either very small or very large, sometimes only vary large once you are in them.

There is no person or anything near that entrance to give a good comparison of how high the entrance is, but if it is about the height of a man, then there is a good chance it is a mine.

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As for someone to take up there, you probably heard the one about the man putting on the running shoes.

The other man asked why he was putting on running shoes.

He said because there are bears in these woods.

The other man said you can't out-run a bear by wearing running shoes.

He said, I don't have to out-run the bear, I only have to out-run you.

 

[Shannow]