7 Years Digging a Secret Tunnel

[@Askjeffwilliams]

We have had a lot of viewers ask about the origins of our legendary Drift mine and why we decided to start digging in that spot. This video will answer a lot of those questions and you will even get a chance to see that prehistoric red worm we found in the very bottom of the sump. A lot of Gold has come out of this Drift mine, but it has taken 7 years to get to it and we know there is more down there just waiting for us to dig it up.... like 5-ounce nuggets and we give them all away. Smash that like button ....smash it HARD....and for more vids of my wife and I working in our drift mine just watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6TOg393nbqffM0 PDF on How to Timber a Small Mine: idahogeology.org/pub/Bulletins/B-21.pdf

[@mischafellner8943]

With all that music I thought we would get to see Wonder Woman also mining today....but no .....just Jeff. Great video sir

[@slimwantedman6694]

18.41 finally got the 6 million dollar man. Kept telling myself Jeff was gonna play it. This is one of your best shows. Loved it all the way through.

[@davidwatson7484]

How much do you estimate it cost to take on this project? Asking for everyone.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks SWM ....@@slimwantedman6694

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

Folks, just go back and watch the videos. Not only will you see them running the drift, but there's nuggets of footage this video couldn't fit in.

[@user-friendlyhuman]

Jeff is a fantastic teacher.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

appreciate that

[@uploadJ]

Yes! 75th viewer to click like on your comment!

[@jasoncampbell4723]

I absolutely am fascinated by watching you and your wife work the drift mine. Your willingness to share your knowledge with your level of compassion is what keeps me glued to your channel. I love learning about geology and you are an excellent instructor.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks Jason .... really appreciate that and glad you like watching us do what we love ..... thanks again

[@billyazprospector]

One of the best series of work I’ve enjoyed following. Let’s keep the dream alive! Thanks Jeff and team!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks Bill , really appreciate that

[@kenkluge9473]

I used to watch the 6 million dollar man every weekend as a kid.I love that show and I love this show

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@richardwarnock2789]

The horse shoe Size Nugget's it's there!!!; ) So keep them 👖 on!!!; )

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks Richard ...... yes we know they are down there .....and the River of Gold too

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

If you just started watching Jeffs video's you can go back to the beginning of the channel and actually watch Jeff doing everything he explains in his video's and instead of waiting for the next video, you binge watch for days! So rewind! Lets Goooo!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks my brother

[@jjock3239]

What a great channel! I am 81, and too old to want to start doing that stuff again. My start happened in 1955, when my friend and I, helped his dad, work an old placer mine in the interior of BC. It was an incredible experience, and industrial scale for those days, where he was using a D4, to push the gravel into a long sluice. Seeing gold at the end of the day, does strange things to a person. I went on to do other things in life, but I never lost my interest, and really find it enjoyable to watch what you do. I also think it is wonderful, that you share all you have learned.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks for sharing that story and I bet you have great memories of them times ..... after hearing your story it reminded me of this video series kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIbdi4dnn7-KrNk

[@jjock3239]

@@Askjeffwilliams I studied engineering, and took a compulsory year of geology (and loved it). But I didn't even use the engineering degree, and joined the air force to became a pilot instead. I spent my whole life, looking at formations from the air and the ground, and enjoyed every second of it. I'll have a look at the link, thanks.

[@jjock3239]

@@Askjeffwilliams How much life has changed since then.

[@edwingolddelirium]

That's the beauty of knowing what you doing.

[@guillermodelnoche]

This was an excellent recap. Normally I’m not a fan but I truly enjoyed this episode. You and your wife do the work of ten men!

[@fit_pharmd4830]

That was a solid refresher of your hard work over the last 10 years! So happy for you and all your gold success!!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thank you so much!

[@Spudscave]

Couldn’t stop smiling while watching this fantastic trip down memory lane with WHO Jeff Williams that’s Who and his beautiful wife Lila.So take a bow young man and thank you for all your hard work and dedication you are an inspiration to all.Lots of love from Glasgow Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks my brother from Glasgow Scotland

[@bigphillAchtung]

Nice to see and hear the real Jeff for a change. Not just the crazy shouty man :)

[@PowRKord]

Someone watches Dr. K, or at least a translated Chinese comment about "that" incident. "Good show," sez I.

[@kittyhenderson2469]

Yes! I swear ...my friends thought I was Nutz talking about these giant works and or snake like creatures in Anderson Springs ...Lake County California! ... I had pinkeye cures and Floodinilming them was scary 1st times! The valley fire got all my memory chips ....you're my only The r witness that they exist!

[@Hairytoe1]

I was watching a Cody's Lab episode many years ago and saw that he followed this guy called Ask Jeff Williams, so I checked out his channel. I've been hooked on your channel ever since then. Thank you Jeff for the many years of education, entertainment, and laughs. P.S. Please eat more cans of beans in your videos.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

always our pleasure and we really love Codys Lab too .... we will have to sneak a can down there when MSHA is not looking

[@keithjohnson6352]

MY FRIEND, I HAVE TO SAY YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT GEOLOGY.!!! THANK YOU FOR THAT.!!! JEFF, YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER.!!! AS LONG AS YOU ARE WILLING TO LEARN.!!!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thanks 👍

[@UOttawaScotty]

Wow, this is the reason why KZbin is so wonderful. Been watching Jeff Williams way back when he first got started, this is amazing content, so interesting!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Wow, thank you!

[@francisvantuyle]

Jeff Thank you for your incredible knowledge in Geology and mining. My Grand father was the headbof the Geology department at the Colorado School of mines. He got me a job as a Sophmore in high-school. As a drift miner at the zidahi Springs experimental mine. There I drive drift using liners on a 12x12 heading with 12 foot rounds. There were 5vton ire cars and an Eimco 22 Tucker and a Deutch motor to haul the muck to the dump. Which was a mile from the face. In between rounds I drilled and drive roof bolts with a jackleg on the back and ribs. Then I put in rail when I got far enough on the heading. Layer on I went to College in Oklahoma. Then got drafted and went to Viet Nam. After I came back I got a job at Jeffrey City, Wyoming and drive drift in a Urainium mine. This was a little different. Some timber framing like you showed but with 8x8 timber. You are exactly correct in hanging timber frame. The burn pattern was back different from hard rock. 5 hole linear vertical pattern. First two and last two holes loaded. Center empty. We used 12 foot sandvick steel. We hung roof bolts with chainlink on the back and ribs. We had a piss ditch on the left with liner. Wexused Eimcon22 Tucker withb5 ton cars and Deutsche motors. I worked that job for 5 years until the mine shut down. I have not mined since. Lost too many friends. Who were told not todo certain things. They did them anyway and it killed them. Going down by yourself and mining this caleche is very dangerous. You survived because you never broke the rules.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

wow that is a large heading ......12 foot rounds to ....you must have been using a jumbo .... what a great experience ..... thank you for sharing

[@Crozbyguy-rg1iu]

That was a great look back, a lot of effort goes into your channel and we love every minute.

[@CCaddy]

So much work! Then so much more work to film it! Then soooo much more work to generate this amazing and EDUCATIONAL content!!!! Thank you professor! You have made my life in the desert so much more interesting over the years. So many questions at every mine site and with each outing answered by you, often! Thank you!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you know it ..... but we love doing it for you guys and really happy we can make a small difference in the World.

[@edwardgarcia614]

Never seen a working man enjoy his job as much you do, Jeff. Thank you and Lila for sharing. ;o)

[@Daniel-sk7wr]

I love you're ability to turn into crazy gold fever Williams and professional scholar Williams, it's always nice to see a proffesional that isn't afraid to get loose

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@RCPILOT-i5j]

This is a great project and channel, its always interesting watching the freelance mining community you got going.

[@jjdjj5392]

Thankyou so much for this video jeff and lila!!!! VERY informative!! You guys WORK HARD!!!! I cant say thankyou enough!

[@seedless-bud]

this is a GREAT video, Thank you Jeff! you are the MAN! and i couldn't imagine how long it too to edit this one, and for that i thank you

[@christiangehteuchnichtsan1170]

To me, this is your greatest project! I followed you from the beginning and I absolutely love it! You are living what others only dream of! 😍

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thank you so much!

[@MurrayJoseph]

I've been watching Jeff Williams since before covid and have learned most of my information from him very big fan thank you for everything

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@petewebster2977]

That was great Jeff, I have often wondered how it all got started and you have answered many questions. Thank mate. Pete Australia 🇦🇺

[@charlesroer972]

I’ve seen that size nuggets blown out on top widening the pit at Ray . . It’s where U find IT. What hard workll get ya .

[@donaldfitzgerald8950]

A trip thru memory lane! Red Worms! Wtf!? Lol! ⚒️💪⚖️🤙👍🤠

[@TheMadness51]

Hella amount of work Prof Williams. It is truly encouraging when I can see someone make something from what appears to be nothing. Carry on mate.

[@williamchristian5188]

Thank you for making this condensed version of the construction of the drift mine! I have watched all of the previous videos and loved them! :)

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@DrZiggy-br2dl]

It's the Jeff Williams legacy and I wouldn't be into prospecting if it wasn't for him , long northern Canadian winters and Jeff's videos warm the spirits as I hunker down and wait for spring thanks for all your hard work Jeff

[@JacobCanote]

Thank you for showing us how it is done. I have learned loads right here about geology and prospecting for gold. Add mining to that list. AU baby! Lets go! Kaaaaaahn!

[@goodmoodgoodday5385]

wow 7 years of hard work, that´s awesome and inspiring. Thanks Jeff and thanks also to your wife stand beside you.

[@Ironsja11]

Seeing these older drift mine videos again reminds me of how long I've been hanging around with you, Sonny Jim! Keep up the great work my friend, and take care!

[@harrygreen6935]

Jeff you are a hoot to watch. Funny & informative all at the same. Thanks for sharing the journey.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thanks for watching!

[@Edgy01]

What a difference having power and power equipment down there!

[@djpuffthethird]

It's been a Long Journey and a Joy too watch . The Digging , the Geology, the funnies and the Yellow Moon . Thanks for the years of entertainment. Let's Go ! !

[@Askjeffwilliams]

always our pleasure

[@junkman1561]

Have always loved your drift mine videos! Great stuff for even a guy loke me that will probably never mine a speck of gold. Please keep putting out a video on your achievements down there ever so often. Would love to see more of the unknown under the sump or see the underwater river. Oh and as well the WORMS!!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks ..... you betcha my brother

[@timothykitchens9972]

Knowing me I'd be down there going after that worm and forget all about the gold. Lmao.

[@dougruebsamen3970]

Jeff, that looks like a powerful amount of work! For young men like you. About 40 years ago I used to be able to do that. Now all i can do is watch. God bless... DFP

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

24:45 Is why I love Jeff W.

[@timothyanderson2108]

An his wonderful partner

[@jasonmarvin8293]

You have a very awesome gift Jeff. Thank you very much for sharing it. Finally someone that teaches in a way I can understand. Thank you!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

much appreciated Jason ....glad we can do that

[@muleskinnermining8661]

Jeff, you have come a long way with this drift mine, I wish you continued success and riches with this project! I’m not gold mining anymore but am operating a 30 ton articulated haul truck. Watching your videos always re-ignites my desire to go back to gold mining again. May there be gold in every pan!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks Mule Skinner ...glad to see you still here in the comments section.... its never too late my brother ....you are as old as you feel ...so you know what I am gonna say huh ....OH YEAH !!!!!

[@pauldixon7680]

Wow incredible amount of work and $ . Wow just the cost of lumber alone let alone all the other equipment. Super interesting stuff Jeff. Keep the vids coming I never miss one ,awesome stuff 👍👍👍

[@penttijuvo1147]

Jeff you are getting better all The Time🍻

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@OUSurf2]

Heavy metal for heavy metals ❤ this has the old video feel with the new video editing, Epic !! Thanks Jeff !! You make the hard stuff look so easy 🦾

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@chrisleggett685]

Wonder if that trail @ 27:08 was a wagon rd?

[@GuamanianHarmonLoop]

Some links that don't work. Mining Tools: Jewlers Loupe 10x page not found. Light for Mining Hard Hat page not found. 2 mode light for hard hat page not found. Metal detecting equipment: Falcon MD 20 page not found. Whites GMT w/extra Coil page not found. Large Mining Equipment: The Gold Hog Multi Sluice link could not be found. The Gold Cube Trommel is the same link as the Gold Cube. Also, the Impact Mills link shows page not found.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thats , we will get those changed out

[@miningking70]

Jeff Williams is the real deal! Children listen to him. He is the Goat of mining! Thank you for reaching about are planet. You are so fascinating and it's always chronical adventure!😊

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks my brother , really appreciate that

[@streetfightinmanrs]

What a great primer for your channel. I had to come back to this video because I’ve been binging your channel for about three hours now. The geology is very interesting, as is the engineering aspect of creating the tunnels and equipment.

[@atuuschaaw]

I appreciate the back story on Slim's Picken's'! Extraordinary! ♥

[@jonathancoutts7775]

Dont know it yet but would love to

[@jimgriffiths9071]

Just love this review! I confess this drift got me thru the entire pandemic . Thoroughly enjoy everything there is about Wormtown..

[@Askjeffwilliams]

really happy to hear that Jim. Thanks

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

What a great video that is loaded with good information. It's fun to look back at all the stages of your mine building and techniques. I can't tell you how many shaft liners that I've seen completely fall into the mine, ladders, track, and all that must not have been built correctly or not installed on solid ground. Usually, it happens about 20 to 30 feet below the collar. Haha, I was waiting for your worm to make its appearance. 👍👍

[@thisishouston1]

Nice recap of years of hard work… I’ve been following your channel for three years now… since you found those Chinese drifts… 😊

[@brucesahroian1482]

Jeff! Excelent!! Hard work pays!! I was pleased to see just what lead up to the drift mine you had! Keep up the informing videos and as always "WORK HARD!!!" You truly deserve the treasures that you create and find!!

[@joschmidt4951]

Wow, this is great, What a lesson and to see you go through all the steps. That my friend has my back hurting just watching it. How many tons of earth would you estimate that you moved? This just proves what GOLD will do to a man's mind. Hats off to your lovely wife who worked right along side of you what an amazing team. Keep up the good work and stay safe. God Bless you both.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

we have estimated it to be around 200 tons at least ..... thanks and you to

[@DigDougDig]

Jeff, I really enjoyed this video. Great video showing how to do it. Sad the video ended. Seriously, it's raining, can't go digging, so I'm watching you dig.

[@Billsadventures13]

Love seeing how this mine developed and what it produced. The bionics make all the difference!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

yes it does

[@MartinGlasser-mj3dd]

You made me laugh with the bionic man meme. Thank you.

[@craigschiller1599]

This guy is Great. Shows how the old timers would have done it with a few modern additions. Loved the woodwork explanations.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@raiderman8431]

Wow! This was one the best, Jeff, knowledge and hard work, my man! I would love 1 day to tour that. Thanks for getting me all riled up! Lol

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks and you betcha

[@wamlartmuse17]

24:08 if you think there might be too much carbon dioxide or monoxide.. use the lighter test. If the lighter doesn't light or stay lit for long, there isn't enough oxygen for you either. Get out & clear the air.

[@KPW--p7oi1q]

You have so much information to share. I have been watching you for years and I think this was you best video. Very educational and informative. I look forward to future videos.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thats ....really appreciate that and also love to hear it

[@osmbsmy.706]

I missed some of these back in the day. I really appreciate the summary. Super well done!

[@M_TELEDO1212]

This is truly wild. The amount of knowledge, expertise, and passion that such a project must take is mind blowing.

[@JamesBrown-hv1xu]

I had to play it back a dozen times where you jumped back, please stay safe ❤

[@whosaidthat5236]

You and Jason are a great team! You need to take some of your material to his place and crush it and use his shaker table to see the recovery of it. Oh and for your older videos you are reposting, any chance you could maybe up the quality of them?

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks and we will do that

[@Flashjan1]

What a great man and wife team! Great respect for you both digging a real drift mine, fighting the venemous snakes and prehistoric seaworms. Would love to visit but I live in southern Spain where they were digging gold and silver since before Roman times (but not any more). Keep up the fantastic work you two, god bless and stay safe.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@jimmime]

Thanks for the history lesson of your mine, Jeff!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@sfbfriend]

Jeff you're a gold magnet! I had forgotten about a lot of all that. Thanks for the years of enjoyment, I hope to someday be able to go on one of your tours or in your mine.

[@upnorth6722]

Love the Drift mine every time i get to see it !

[@ronb8052]

I just stumbled upon this video. I'm a pretty handy guy...rebuild cars, rehab houses, etc, but I never dreamed the education you need to be a miner. I also love Jeff Williams' enthusiasm...you can see mining is in his blood. I'm a new subscriber.

[@jasond6770]

I'm simply AMAZED by the quality and the time you put into these videos Jeff! We are lucky to be able to watch this! That worm down there was shocking, I would have jumped higher then you did! lol. I've heard people say that a lot of the Great Basin was, as the name applies- full of water. Hard to imagine today, except for the many dried up lake beds and areas. It just goes to show how things can change so drastically over time. Again, thank you for putting this together!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks Jason , really appreciate that ..... exactly

[@michaelpack7591]

That's so awesome! I love watching your videos, Jeff. As I've said, I'll never be able to follow that vein again, but it's a lot of fun watching you do it. THANK YOU, JEFF!

[@joeorton1218]

Jeff is straight up hardcore keep them videos coming sonn

[@TheShornak]

Jeff, you are just so funny. You knew you were going to hear a comment or two about the wrong hole line. 🤣

[@Askjeffwilliams]

I know...right

[@sheilagillmore721]

Hi Jeff, My husband and I own a home in Alta CA. Our home is located just outside of the Dutch Flat mining district and in fact our property backs up to the land where the Towle Brothers Lumber Company was. I have owned the home since 2000, over the years we have completed quite a bit of landscaping and have very large trees on the property. We rented the property out for about 4 years and when the renter moved, and we returned unfortunately we were greeted with structural damage to our home that was difficult to pinpoint one cause but several runoff issues that have been resolved. These were all from paving the driveway, gutter runoffs from ice dams and such. Well as things have a way of unfolding, I will use one of your monikers, this is how that looked. About a year ago I first noticed while raking the back yard that the ground sounded hollow for no better term. I was baffled, this is how my mind works I listen more than see, I level by touch, I notice these subtle changes in things. I called my husband over and said see listen over here, now listen over here. He reluctantly agreed that there was a difference in how it sounded. So now my brain starts to process what is the cause, the leach field is here possibly that is it. Ok move on..... my husband is sitting on the toilet (using as a chair) as I am painting the master bedroom and he says, what are the coordinates here? I don't know look it up. Ummmmmmm, what I respond, have you ever heard of the Alta Monte Mine? No what, why? Well, it's 7' to the North and 12" to the south.........We both just sat and stared at each other. And my brain starts to whirl, ok we are on a stem wall so in order for our house to fall into a mine shaft the whole area would have to open up. He goes on to say that the drift mine was recorded as being 150' deep and two tunnels the intersect running N E to SE and S E to N W and we believe that they intersect under our home. There is no other recorded information other than it was a gold drift mine. Now that bit of information got me poking around and at the S E corner of the property, I had gone outside the fence to collect some Buckskin oak and found a hole that is about 3' across with obvious erosion and in the hole, 2' deep depression there is another hole visible that is about the size of a grapefruit and much darker. I backed away and called my husband he said hmmmm ya that's strange but again thought I was clearly on a witch hunt. One day we were looking from our backyard to the East at our neighbor's property and admiring the recent cleaning up of all the dead wood. It was immediate and we both kind of said at the same time, we need to see where that goes. We were looking at 4' wide currently around 2' deep old ditch or something that you could clearly see ran directly from our back gate and center of our property disappearing into the woods past our neighbor's house. we followed it and started up the hill towards the old Towle Brothers Lumber Mill location. As we were walking, I felt a soft spot and didn't think too much about it. I did look around for an old, downed tree, thinking possibly roots decayed or something. about another 15' up my husband said whoa that was a soft spot. I looked around again and nothing, so I got a stick about 8' long and pressed it into the most recent soft spot. It resisted for about a foot or less and then just sunk straight through, like we hit open space. it was about 4'. We turned around and returned to the location that I had felt and repeated the process. The same result, we continued straight home as we had had enough of the field trip. Still friends and family though that I was bonkers. I started to look around on the property and could see how this could line up with the structural damage but started to hold my tung as no one was on-board. A few weeks later I was clearing dead fall at the opposite end of the property and walked around a large cedar tree stopped to bend and pick up some branched and the ground gave way. It's hard to describe how your brain can make the right choices when you are that scared, straight to all fours and I crawled like a baby with its diaper on fire. I sat for some time looking at the situation, I have lived in the mountains my entire life, I have felt soft ground from dead fall or rotten roots, this was so not that. i looked at the tree from all angles, is it leaning, no. We put a rake handle in the ground next to the tree and it went straight down about 5'. We coned off the area I called the neighbors that have children and then i started to try and figure out what to do here. That week it rained and rained and rained. Returning from dinner one evening i asked him to stop back up something didn't look right. The tree was now listing at about 25% off plumb. We turned around and went down to the local PG&E Hydro office they don't handle these things. So after hours on the phone and unbeknownst to me I must have gotten through to someone's thick skull that this tree was coming down and that it was going to come down on their lines. 9:30 that evening spotlights and a promise to pass it along someone will be here in no more than two weeks. The next morning at 6:30 am we were woken up by 3 inspectors and asked to show them the tree. While walking around the tree one of the inspectors' feet went down and under. By 9:00 am the branches were off of it and they were bringing it down. I had a little bit more interest in my wife's tale and a little bit more acknowledgement from the neighbors and family. However, what is now in my mind is easily forgotten for those who are not living with the reality. Now would be a good time to mention that although my husband spent his childhood in the area his adult life was spent in Las Vegas and Utah. Not much support there. So now in the back yard up towards the hole that I mentioned and next to my recirculating creek there is a new "sink hole" for no better term as it is not open but the step that was directly over it clearly is about a foot lower on one side. This is also next to a sugar pine tree that is probably 10' around and pushing more than 100' tall. It is just uphill from our house by about 30'. I have gone to the Golden Drift Museum in Gold Run, and they have no information as the mine was outside of the Dutch Flat Mining district. I have researched online and there is nothing more than it was privately held, and the tunnels were dug to retrieve gold samples. We recently found an old photo of what we believe to be the Towle Brothers family sitting on a rail flatbed at the bottom of their new rail line that ran all the way down to the Bear River to supply the large mines with timber. I cannot be certain however from my basic knowledge of the area and shadows I can see that it is very possible that this is the "ditch" that would have run directly through our back yard, but currently stops at the back gate. Clearly someone leveled it off on our property. We finally got around to the GPS data and plugged it into our phones and away we went. We believe that we found the old capped off entrance. it is located to the North about 150-200' and down the side of a steep hill through and around dead fall. In the town of Alta proper and directly downhill from us is my daughter's grandparents' house. This is a very, very old home and believed to be the old hotel back in the gold rush days. Next to their garage there is a flower bed. Grandpa Lee told me one day when I asked where the hole came from that it was time for him to put another truck load in it. Whaaatttt, he was so calm and matter of fact. right down the tracks from him and on the same side there used to be visible an old mine shaft that sat about 15-20' above the tracks. the hole in their yard would be in line with my SE hole and the mine shaft would be in line with the coordinates of the capped mine opening. X marks the spot, and I think that is my bathroom. Here is my theory, the Alta Monte Mine was just getting under way when the Towle Brothers decided that they were placing their railroad to the river directly over the top off it and that just wasn't going to fly. They had a lot of power in the area and in fact would steal the schoolhouse whenever the opportunity to take it came about. It would go up the road directly past the Alta Monte Mine on School St., in the middle of the night all the way to Baxter and the Lumber Mill. I think that they did a half-baked job at backfilling, and I doubt the people that had to pull out of the drift mine gave a cent weather or not their tunnels were adequately handled for those to come, if it was me, I would hope that they fell in. I came across your video, love it by the way! And thought, this is the guy I need to tell my story to. It was the coyote hole term that grabbed my attention as years ago there was a pack of coyotes that lived up on the SE side of my property. Never went to see exactly where but now im wondering. Like I mentioned I grew up here and have lived here for 54 years out of my 57 and know the woods and mountains like my hands. I have spent so much time out in the Diggins on the upper Bear River and in fact found the hub to a wagon wheel just a few weeks ago, I know the American River just as well. This I do not know what to do with. I know that it is a serious concern I just don't know what can be done aside from spending a ton of money on ground inspections and such, I can't move my home off of it. Please, any advice? Thanks for your time and I hope I didn't blather on too much. I look forward to hearing from you. [e-mail] P.S. Oh, I forgot to mention there is a guy that everyone assumes is nuts that lives downhill from us on what would be the NE to SW tunnel that says he can hear water running under his house at times. Help please, even just advice, should I just dump dirt in the holes as they appear??????

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Hi Sheila, that is quite a story ..... it sounds like you did your homework and more than likely you are right .... now....what to do about them sink holes..... if it where me...I would have to know if it was an old Drift mine and sample it but not sure if you want to do that .....sounds like the only option is to back fill them holes as they appear so no one gets hurt ..... I would be curious as to what the man the lives down the hill from you has to say about it ...would imagine the drift mine runs under his house as well..... that would be cool to have your own Drift Mine on the property producing Gold but soft ground would always be a concern ....keep us posted and we would like to know more as it evolves

[@fordprospecting]

Great video Jeff, very informative can't wait to see more!

[@_TONY_Az]

I love watching this this Information is priceless for safety and mining progress your timber is very nicely done nice to relive this again I have to tell you how bad I wish I could come out there don't look good for that unfortunately ty

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks , appreciate that

[@_TONY_Az]

Your the best to teach this

[@auroraprospecting]

That was a freakn awesome video Jeff! Keep the content coming!! Steve Austin would be proud.😉 ✌️🙂⚒️💯🇺🇲 ✌️🙂

[@petecrabtree6734]

🦅🇺🇸💪🤠👍 and yeah I'm gonna watch the next video Sunny Jim

[@LegaliseIntellect]

I love the smell of all the wood you use for the protecting walls!

[@jeffharrison9140]

nice love all the videos in slims pickings mine. Also miss the METAL!!!!! KAHHNNNN!!!

[@slrobbins3415]

FREEKIN AWSOME , THIS GUY IS ! I'VE LEARNED ALOT FROM THIS MAN !

[@rickjohnson6559]

Wow factor 10+. Idaho has a school of mines? Watching you build the shafts. You were so young. Pops was alive. And the gold. Following it. This is your best video. On a different note. Paint your wagon. The tunnels. In no name city. 😂 If you see a set of horns, bbq it fast ❤.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks Rick , we knew you would like this one ... I remember that movie

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

What a fantastic production Jeff. Thanks buddy for entertaining us over all of the years

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@CB-ww7qy]

Sweet mash up Jeff. From overburden to where you are now, WOW. You keep doin what you do down there, sharing your finds and that topside knowledge. For now I'll stick with the pan, detector and you to guide the way.

[@stilesthissell]

Another great video, love the mine!

[@christopherpuetz7175]

Great video on the history of your drift mine. Like the bumper music at the end.

[@billdgen116]

Great video Jeff. I remember that like it was yesterday. Time Flys when ur having fun lol. Be safe brother 🙏

[@kenmorrill3774]

Unbelievably cool project. Running into that drift mine the Chinese dug must have been mind blowing, not to mention unknown life underground. Fantastic video!!!!

[@backpages1]

Glad to see you’re still at Jeff! I’ve never worried about your safety, only if you would hurt your back lifting all that gold… take care friend.

[@tinadelwiche416]

You two started a drift mine because it’s a lifetime dream and adventure 😊. Thank both for the step by step instructions on creating a drift mine. That’s living life ,, by doing what u love and enjoy. Especially when you have found your lifetime partner and soulmate.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

exactly Tina ...well said

[@tinadelwiche416]

@@Askjeffwilliams yw

[@watchvideos9104]

That old wait ..that Young Jeff Hair is amazying it’s just flowing 😂

[@nunyabusiness3267]

cool video Jeff learned a lot about your drift mine that i didnt know

[@MakingUsThink]

Been waiting to see these old videos on the channel for years now! I can assume Jeff got stuck in China as he dug himself there.... OOOH you can do it!

[@USViper]

Jeff, you are the hardest working man on KZbin. 💪

[@Askjeffwilliams]

I appreciate that!

[@postpanic3]

Subscribing. I've been looking for this kind of channel for a long time. You actually know what your talking about and what your doing. the bonus is your willing to share your knowledge. I'm impressed. Excellent.