#123

There are many mines in the Woodbury Creek area just north of Ainsworth and an abandoned power generating station.
This group of claims is located near the mouth of Woodbury Creek. Originally staked by the Canadian Pacific Mining & Milling Co. of Minneapolis in 1896, the group consists of the Amazon, Budweiser No. 2, Superior and Wakefield claims. Three tunnels were driven on the Budweiser claim, one on a fault plane, the other two along fissures. On the Amazon claim a 36.5 metre tunnel was driven on a vein dipping 70 degrees to the south. On the Wakefield claim a 43 metre shaft was put down on a vein containing galena and gold. Apparently no further work was done on this property for about 40 years. In 1939 the owner of the Amazon claim is recorded as J.R. Tuikess of Kaslo. By 1941 ownership of this claim had passed to T. E. Levasseur of Nelson. A leasee worked the property that summer, obtaining 286 tonnes of ore from the old workings.
The Kaslo Base Metals Co. of Vancouver obtained the Budweiser No. 2, Amazon, Superior and Superior Fraction claims in 1951. They did some exploratory work on the Amazon and Budweiser No. 2 claims. The property was taken over by the Woodbury Mines Co. Ltd. in 1952. A tunnel was begun on the Superior claim just above the highway, the proposal being to drive 366 metres of tunnel in order to intersect several veins at a lower depth. By the end of the following year about 244 metres of the proposed tunnel had been completed. The project was abandoned by this company and no further work was done on it until 1956 when the property was taken over again by Kaslo Base Metals Co. Ltd. The exploratory tunnel was extended by 56 metres. At 276 metres from the portal a new vein was intersected. It contained 7 to 10 centimetres of galena and replacement ore extended into the walls to a width of 0.6 metre. At 302 metres from the portal the downward protection of a fissure vein exposed in Woodbury Creek canyon was intersected. This vein had been followed by old drift workings which extended east and west from the canyon 43 and 1 metres respectively. A raise was driven from the Superior tunnel to the west drift, 4.5 metres vertically above. No further work has been done.
Quartz tension veins occur in the Midddle Cambrian Index Formation ('Early Bird Formation') (Lardeau Group). Calcareous mica schist cuts a lamprophyre dyke. Other veins are in a dolomitized area. The veins are short, en echelon down dip. The rake of the ore is to the east 70 degrees as derived from a slope area and bearing of a calcite vug. A garnet mica schist with Meta autunite is present near the portal.
In 3 years between 1939 and 1965 a total of 2,987 tonnes of ore were produced. From this 83,388 grams of silver, 93 grams of gold, 274 grams of cadmium, 39,733 kilograms of lead and 54,306 kilograms of zinc were produced.

[@craigernest4373]

The generator is not operating due to theft of the main power cable. It was down for repairs and someone cut up the cable for the copper. Owner has since lost motivation I presume.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

That is what I heard. I don't know why they would have used the tec cable. Why not just run overhead wires? Someone should buy it and get it going again. It is waste to see it sitting there rusting away.

[@Doxymeister]

Man that's a shame. Somebody spent a lot of money on that equipment then thieves come along.

[@gekkehenk1980]

And absolutely nobody in town noticed how somebody removed like 600 feet of heavy cable?? The entrance is behind the village.....strange.

[@DFDuck55]

They probably used the money from selling the cable to finance their next meth cook.

[@PlasticAssasin8]

they would have needed to pull it out with a tow truck and winch, I see nothing

[@Jamjor]

Frank, my fiance and I were just at Ainsworth yesterday and the day before yesterday we were at those same mine tour buildings! I am fascinated with old mines and believe it or not was watching your videos the day before we went there. I couldn't find any videos on the Woodbury Creek mines and found limited info online, and when we went there we were too chicken to go inside. It is so cool that we can see it all through you and your hard work, and couldn't believe it when you uploaded this video today!! Keep it up!!! Cheers from the Okanagan Valley.

[@moparchallenger749]

Jamjor Hello from Vernon 👋

[@robertclarkguitar]

Excellent work again here Frank. I do not expect a deep detailed mine every video , it shows your passion for this historical journey with all the additional mining content to go along with it. Stay safe and be well bro. I have put your tour on my bucket list. I hope to fill the list and check it off. Lol.

[@fucktardmst3kfan144]

I live in Colorado and most of our mines have been blasted shut or fenced off. I understand the danger. At least, we can live vicariously thru you, man!

[@allenpost3616]

Very cool Frank! A lot them adit's it would be neat to have a camera mounted to an rc drone boat. That way you could explore the flooded parts of the mine and stay dry. LOL

[@barbararobinson7980]

Thank you Frank for taking all us nosey folk exploring with you and what an awesome explore it was. It was interesting to see inside each of those adits, and it was great to see the landscape as you hiked from one to another. The drone footage was brilliant as always. It is a shame that the generator is no longer in use. ❤️❤️

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Maybe someone will see the video, buy the operation and get it running again!

[@gregortalbot8724]

I spent 2 summers in the high country of Colorado closing mines down. Our team closed over 30 gold and silver mines. I am glad to see someone going in and producing great videos. It prevents me from having to do it.

[@roncooper8666]

Cool video. But, I was kind of disappointed that you didn't display any of that "Miner's Pottery." And, yes! It is us, your loyal viewers, that demand you go where no sane man would go. We will accept nothing less! Stay safe! Happy Holidays, Frank!

[@chrismorgan577]

Cool video Frank! That was pretty cool finding that turbine. It’s not that old. That is a Thomas and Howe switchgear panel, load controller, hydraulic unit, and a load dump used to regulate the power coming from the generator. It looks to be about 40kw setup. Likely about 130k if equipment sitting there. Thomas & Howe are made in Norther BC.

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

Thank you for the videos you produce. As one who lives near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I definitely appreciate the hiking, beautiful vistas, and fantastic drone shots that your videos provide - in addition to the actual mine explores and information. Always look forward to new episodes.

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

By the way, do you use a "pop filter" for your voice-overs at the beginning? They are designed to diffuse the air from the microphone and lessen the likelihood of "p" sounds from clipping the audio. Probably not a big deal, but I think some can be had for $10 or so. Not sure if anyone else notices.... Anyway, again - thanks for all the great content!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I don't do voice overs much......only on the drone footage.

[@thorble]

Thanks for this. I've always wanted to venture in there but never did. I knew one of the old miners who worked this tunnel in 1957, through my Dads acquaintance. Miners name was Gary McCauley, a hell of a hard working good guy! My Dad used to scoff at the name Mining Museum, as he declared that he had operated or run every piece of equipment in it!!

[@deborahburnette1218]

Thank you again for such an educational & yet entertaining video.

[@AN-bo5ej]

I love that mine! I've explored it once or twice. Be careful bragging about that though because the owners of Kaslo museum also own the mine and they'll make sure to tell you the mine is private property! "No trespassing" ;) very cool to explore in there, found some carts and heavy doors and things. I'm wondering why it says "Amazon mine" on a sign inside it though? Couldn't find any info on Google. Love abandoned mines, especially this one 💗 I would have loved to go further inside but nice to watch your footage!!

[@danielbarrows7144]

Nice video really enjoyed the river shots, the sound is very soothing! 🌊⚡️👍🏻🌲⛰⚒

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DFDuck55]

Interesting find. I've never found an abandoned turbine. There are several interesting electric turbines near me in Northern California. One just north of me is wood burning. And to the southwest of me are some huge turbines powered by volcanic geothermal. There are quite a few flumes in central and northern California. Some that were used to move timber out of the mountains. I found one that started near the top of a waterfall on one river, went around the mountain and ended where there used to be a giant sluice on another river. And one that brings drinking water out of the mountains into Magalia CA that is still in use. Magalia is just north of the historic gold mining town (where a guy found a 54 pound gold nugget in 1859) Paradise CA that you've probably heard about in the news the past few weeks. A wildfire started by PG&E electrical transmission lines burned 80% of the town to the ground. I live about 35 miles west of the fire, the first day it was so smoky here it blocked the sun and was dark as night during the day.

[@ClaytonCountyHistoryHound]

Enjoyed watching. Thanks for taking us along on another great adventure. Take care, be safe and wishing you a wonderful holiday season.

[@Lalunabreeze]

Beautiful country. Love seeing the many mines and water. Very cool. Ty

[@y0maan]

I feel your passion for mineshafts, When I was a teenager we used to explore the Gold Note Mine by Placerville California.

[@DaleDuffy]

Beautiful creek and cool history, thanks Frank...!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@yellowboy1866]

I worry at times your going to get stuck, then I remember you must have got out to post the video. Stay safe Frank.

[@rdamp2374]

HI FrankAnother great video and drone footage.Keep it up Frank

[@BIGBADWOOD]

The power generating station how did they get all that equipment (as large as it is ) to where it is set up . Always 5 star videos .... Stay safe !

[@robgandy4550]

Thanks Frank. I've driven by that a hundred times, and never stopped. Coffee creek, right before Woodbury, there is a beautiful portal, high on the Hotspring side of the creek. Rather high up. I've never been in it either, but I've been told it goes in quite a way.

[@thorble]

Right where the old Taylor air compressor used to stand.

[@animeducky9]

Some creative Dutch angles with the camera when you squeezed down those holes xD

[@notsofresh8563]

When i was a kid in castlegar, I am pretty sure I went on a school field trip to that mine museum in sixth or seventh grade. That would have been in the late 80s.

[@BCGray10x]

Remember when the "Jones Boys" from Kaslo bought the Woodbury resort, believe they bought it from Old Doctor Besicker, he built a TB Sanatorium on the beachside. For years you could see the adit on the lake side cliff. The Jones Boys put in the Hydro Works, but ran into water problems causing erratic generation. Side Note there was a "Hippie" making and sell pottery at the little store in front

[@Seat1AJoe]

Museum culture includes free museum admission everywhere for museum volunteers. I taught solar astronomy at the observatory of the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia. With my ID I was welcome at any museum including free parking. So the same goes for you. I’m glad you took advantage.

[@johnkusher12]

Another awesome video Frank!

[@peninsulahomerenovations9680]

Going in that hole at 8:00 that's dedication!

[@johnizitchiforalongtime]

Here we go with the boots again, these boots are made for walking. Glad you took us into this place, cool. Sorry, you would be wet toast, wet and sore.

[@fucktardmst3kfan144]

Thanks for the like! Love the channel, Frank!

[@johnjenkins6547]

Another great video of some mining history. Thanks!

[@GoldenNorway1]

Nice and very interesting video as always! Please keep it up. Following on Facebook as well, really important and interesting history.

[@angels814ever]

NICE TOUR! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR PASSION! VERY INTERESTING !! =]

[@spiffcats]

I just randomly walk through the bushes to explore, and thats how I found all this. I figured you had made a video on it, neat.

[@speedshift5792]

Awsome a frank video great way to start off the day happy thanksgiving bro great vid thumbs up

[@rockfan3479]

A GREAT VIDEO FRANK ! COLORADO STATE MINE EXPLORERS THANK YOU!

[@brianstevens9469]

Enjoyed this one Frank.

[@resinartistry73]

That's a very scenic creek. I can't believe you found a dead rabbit! And you were very close to the adit I was curious about but you must of just missed it!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Someone else said it was only a few hundred meters farther but I couldn't find it.

[@resinartistry73]

@@exploringabandonedmines I think you might have gone down to the creek right before it and then missed it. The waste rock is a good size and light coloured so it does stand out but the adit is a smaller hole that declines into a drop off right away. I'm gonna have to go explore the creek area more now that I see how nice it is!

[@leehilton9932]

Very cool man. So they walled off both sides where the pipe goes into the mountain, i wonder if they continued the pipe or if they just let the water run down the drift to the other end. Be safe out there man

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I am sure the pipe ends at the wall......I wonder if the mine had other branches!

[@leehilton9932]

@@exploringabandonedmines yea, i mean if the pipe ended there had to be a lot of water goin in there to get the pressure needed to turn the turbine.

[@nighthunter7917]

Man these places are like places you’d see in movies and scary Story’s. Man makes me want to explore the world

[@gimiesome]

Thanks for sharing Frank.

[@BobTheBudtender]

Love your videos! Would like to point out your voice was a bit 'hot' and popping in a few areas in the audio. If you recorded this on a mic, might help to put a pop filter in front. Can make one out of coat hangar and some nylon pantyhose, but they are cheap too! If this is audio from a GoPro/handheld camera you might want to look into getting an external mic w/ wind sock. Happy hunting!

[@josiahvolkmann5294]

7:35 that's what she said... Thanks for the great content! You put out some great work!

[@mattgold2118]

I enjoy your sense of humor.

[@fogdelm]

HEY! Thank you for posting the lat/long for these places... :D

[@UKPanda4x4]

It's a shame the turbine and generator equipment is not being used to power local homes or businesses, seems a real shame just to be sat there rotting. Great video Frank, stay safe.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Yes it is a shame!

[@Beemer917]

You could get a screaming siphon going out of that first flooded mine, with the creek way below.

[@vacuumandgaspressurecoexisting]

Haha. ForeignHeat. I'm stealing that one.

[@farvisions3871]

Great job my friend although you sounded kinda disappointed that there wasn't more.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I was but you take what you can get!

[@paigelee6321]

Awesome drone shots very cool 😎

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I does a great job!

[@donaldking8288]

Thanks for the video, cool area 😎

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Doxymeister]

ROFL, I saw those bugs flying around and instantly clapped my hand over my coffee cup.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I made sure I closed my mouth!

[@asully3006]

Look at my picture Franko... You wud get a mouthful of giant horse flies!

[@Doxymeister]

@@exploringabandonedmines Loved it, lots of fun!

[@asully3006]

Frank, Fellow Minetonians... Happy thanks give'in.. I gunna enjoy this here turkey T.V. dinner.. yummy yummy! Frank, Do you ever, ever fish in them thar' creeks, when your cameras are off??? Are there any fish in em???

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I don't fish much, too many other things to keep me busy.

[@nadwidny]

No fish in the creeks but people do fish the lake, especially where the creeks enter the lake. Some creeks are Kokanee spawning areas but I don't think Woodbury is one of them.

[@nickelmickel4170]

I think those rotten theives were or are in the process of taking the generator windings for the copper.

[@Cjchass77chassagne]

Bad ass video like usual thx Frankie happy thanksgiving 🦃🤘

[@stevetreloar6602]

Do Canadians do Thanksgiving?

[@Cjchass77chassagne]

Steve Treloar not sure I figured I’d throw it out there lol

[@aprilgoetz9590]

Ours is in October ☺️

[@Cjchass77chassagne]

April Goetz happy belated thanksgiving !!😩🤪🍺

[@aprilgoetz9590]

Chris C thanks! We had a great one! Hope you did as well

[@charlesowens9784]

Thankyou for the video

[@deborahburnette1218]

Oh yeah may the bunny rest in peace

[@asully3006]

Ya. RIP bunny... :)

[@naui_diver9290]

So beautiful

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Lalunabreeze]

Nice love the drone.

[@ttxela]

Another great video, thanks 🙏

[@craigkosters9852]

You're a crazy MoeFoe Frank, I'm cool with that! Coulda been a Bear down in that hole 😂

[@giantss2007]

Thank you for another awesome trip Frank have you ever ran into a bear in a mine

[@Seat1AJoe]

Are your boot spikes serviceable?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

They are in theory.......but by that time they are too worn out for the keys to go in the holes and they are rusted in.

[@KPearce57]

I have used one of those slip scrapers, but pulled by a tractor.

[@moparchallenger749]

K.D. Pearce Got a smaller one in my yard Now I know what it is👍😀

[@proz1995]

why are all these mine owners allowed to just leave there waste to rot away,instead of being made to clean it up?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Since 1969 they have to pay a bond when you get the mine. If you want the bond back you have to clean up the site or they keep the bond.

[@oldschoolmoto]

thanks frank keep up the good work

[@SmallMartingale]

Very cool!

[@robertsnyder5149]

Bit of a tight squeeze eh? I got stuck in one of these and panicked for a bit but inch by inch got out.

[@starman10548]

NEAT PLACE.

[@BNSFFur]

Happy thanks giving

[@Blaculo]

Happy Thanksgiving or whatever you guys call it up there!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

We had our a month ago!

[@Blaculo]

Exploring Abandoned Mines ...and still have leftovers, eh?

[@ardeneques]

Could near get your kayak out there and have some fun Frank

[@DrJonez]

The foreign heat side 😂

[@RB-nx8ut]

I wonder if bears do live in those old holes?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I haven't met any.

[@cannibus78]

Another great one!!!

[@fucktardmst3kfan144]

Tight & Wet...my kind of mine! Hahaha!

[@aprilgoetz9590]

Fucktard MST3K fan franks fav too 😂

[@rodgercottrill3342]

Frank you the best

[@matthewwarren1789]

This isn’t the first tight spot you’ve been in hey Frank

[@tomgorney8868]

Nice video, didn't like the beginning ad against the American president but nice video.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

KZbin controls the adds not me.

[@SuperGlocker77]

The cooling fins are all bent in the end bell of the generator.

[@SuperGlocker77]

You can see a strap was added to keep the vane from spinning. Makes me wonder if someone tried to stop the works by prying into the cooling vents.

[@JasonR007]

Well, to be a bit of a spoiler here, if we all are watching the video? ... We can safely say you didn't get permanently stuck in there. ... Just saying. LOL LOL

[@TheSWolfe]

Ain't it a shame, how us nosy, foreign-heat people are all the time goading u on into spots u best not be caught creepin' 'round? U really are a human bloodhound when it comes to sniffin' out long abandoned adits, structures, & equipment. Beautiful place - interesting explore!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Actually didn't America switch to metric at one time too? I notice it hasen't really caught on there.......except in the military!

[@TheSWolfe]

We tried, when I was in 6th grade, failing due to good ol' American pigheadedness. The School Board required teachers to edumacate us in all things metric; resenting being told what to do, they ran us thru the basics once, & it was never spoken of again. The world moved on w/o us; now, decades later, I realize us '70's kids got the short end of the yardstick!@@exploringabandonedmines

[@exploringabandonedmines]

@@TheSWolfe It is actually a way better system if everyone used it. We switched over 40 years ago...….well sort of some people did some didn't so now we have to know two systems and have to be able to convert from one to the other which is much harder than either system!

[@TheSWolfe]

Agreed. Wasn't a conversion snafu behind a shuttle crash or satellite malfunction yrs ago? @@exploringabandonedmines

[@exploringabandonedmines]

@@TheSWolfe a 737 ran out of fuel because of it!

[@rrich52806]

nice

[@paigelee6321]

What would they mine there off this creek very interesting. Maybe gold in that creek ? Lol 😂

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Maybe a little at one time but there wasn't much placer mining in the area.

[@bryangarrison9447]

Do You always go by Yourself? Perhaps You should get a Dog! LOL

[@claudemartel7681]

The drills are wath thay call bar and arm the old jack and a arm on that so the machine wood reast on it two man operathing that machine

[@ashtontoler3996]

morning

[@alphanerd1355]

Get a robot camera tractor!

[@danhard8440]

send one of the drill guns to hand tool rescue channel

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Dan Hard I have at least 10 of them

[@KowboyUSA]

Mine rabbit stew.

[@SekTauBand]

it's cooking in natures crock pot