Abandoned Gold Mine in the Mountains

Exploring the old Portland Mine in Victor, Colorado. Some really cool stuff left up there.
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#goldmines #colorado #abandonedplaces

[@MobileInstinct]

Here's a link to that other video with the Donkeys I was talking about - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6aug42Zn72Xopo

[@ryanbuckley5529]

Wouldn’t it be cool to go back in time just to see the type of stuff you’ve visited in its prime🙂

[@wiltie2043]

Smoke enough weed or take some acid in you’ll be there ha ha Ha

[@scottlocke8935]

@@wiltie2043 😂😂😂

[@OriginalGabriel]

Definitely wolves, coyotes are much higher in pitch

[@marchmadness76]

This location reminds me of Red Dead Redemption 2. lol

[@vopenacattleco]

Cool to see the stamp mill is still standing. Not many still standing around where I'm at in NE Oregon. Another great video. Cheers

[@charlottenicholas5427]

Hey, a fellow Oregonian;, over on the coast!

[@nathanadams6648]

In between both of you in the valley.

[@dima97]

Hey fellow Oregonian:D

[@JChrisTurner1234]

I was so nervous watching you walk around on those old boardwalks wondering if they were over a mine shaft. I hope you tell someone where you are before wandering around these abandoned places and to come look for you if you don't call after a couple of hours....LOL. I love your videos but want you to be safe. I'm sure you are but I have grown fond of you, Chris.

[@kathycagg6531]

JChrisTurner1234 , I used to get nervous with some of his exploration too. It finally dawned on me “Hey, he posted the video - he’s okay.”

[@DramaMustRemainOnTheStage]

I know right. I hold MY breath like it's going to help lol. I know it's the mom in me thinking the same thing you said!!

[@the_dark_defender]

I strongly recommend finding a exploring buddy. It is extremely dangerous to be out there by yourself. That being said, thank you for sharing your adventures. Always entertaining. But seriously, find a buddy to explore with, I’d hate for you to get injured and not have someone to help.

[@brandon1661]

I live in Colorado and would enjoy exploring with new people

[@JChrisTurner1234]

I also can't help but worry about Chris' safety. If he fell through a mine shaft or off one of those rusty cat walks and broke his legs he would be a goner. I hope he/you let people know where you are about to explore if it looks like it could be dangerous. I have developed a fondness for you, Chris, and would not want anything to happen to you. Once again, I really enjoy seeing your videos and enjoy seeing your face.

[@Sandman66]

Yup...who knows in 5 years some youtuber might be doing a video on his disappearance some day...

[@frederickmoller]

I live in an active gold/base metal city in northern Ontario Canada, where there are several active mines where by law after mining is completed the sites are made to look as they would have before mining was ever done. The three major mining companies (Pan American Silver, Newmont, and Glencore) control most but not all the mines here, and several new mines are going to open up in the near future. For myself, I completed 43 years in underground mining in 3 of the local mines, the Timmins mining area is one of the largest gold mining areas of the world a great video that you presented that I really enjoyed, thanks.

[@thatgirl3757]

A "wealth" of information; plus, 43 yrs is a long time for any underground work. My Father was a coal miner for 23 yrs before heading to Florida to build sea walls. He hated it. Did you get to keep any of the gold you found?

[@ptaylor4923]

@@thatgirl3757 Go over to Google maps and look at the satellite view of the the area between Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado. All that sandy colored area with the track Mark's and varied elevations just to the East of highway 67 between Victor and Cripple Creek used to be a mountain. They're in there with bulldozers strip mining. Not all mining is below ground anymore. I was driving on 67 from Victor to Cripple Creek one winter. It was snowing, and lots of snow on the ground. It's not up to timber line, but what trees had been there were gone because of mining to the East. We were getting major wind gusts that would pick up the snow. So I'm driving on this narrow, curving mountain road, drop off to my left and hill to my right and one of those gusts hit. Complete white out. So much blowing snow the road was just gone. And when you're driving on ice and snow, you can't just hit the brakes and stop. You're likely to go into a skid and slide right off the mountain, so I had to just slow and remember where the road was. Then it was gone and clear again. But quite the adrenaline dump.

[@thatgirl3757]

@@ptaylor4923 I can imagine how scary that would be. My Aunt lived at the head of a 'holler' in the mtns of Ky. One lane dirt road 3.5 miles long. I only visited once in the winter, that was enough for me, one literally had to back up forever if you met another car. I visited in the summer after that! lol Thx for getting back to me, Happy Holidays to you and yours

[@thatgirl3757]

@@ptaylor4923 I checked out the aerial views of that area. Is that called strip mining?

[@infinitegodaikinbrent8174]

My most favorite explorer right here ya’ll! No one touches my man’s work. I can’t wait for you to return to NorCal so we can go to a ghost town. Great explore and video! Thank you.

[@SlightlyQualified]

I LOOOOOOOOVE Victor Co... I want to buy a house out there. My grandparents used to own 100 acres on nipple mountain (LOL) I know. Glad I found your chan, makes me nostalgic.

[@donellmuniz590]

Man, I'd love to roam the old mine camp with a metal detector. Maybe someone dropped a nugget or an old coin, or buried some near their house to use at some later date.

[@lelandgaunt9985]

I’ve actually been in this mine! This is where you fight “sledge” in the first borderlands!

[@jeffmclearen1421]

Gtfo! I remember that!!

[@Ricky33HD]

I’m from the UK but i love watching your videos of these old places across the pond. fascinated by it all. just envision what it must of been like in it’s hay day . great vid 👍🏽

[@trucksold]

The "heavy thing" at 7:25 is a resistor bank used to control electric motor speed. Most likely for the hoist in that building.

[@rovhalgrencparselstedt8343]

Or a starting resistor for a slip ring motor.

[@tyn.8934]

That one spot you were at, with the "Wheel" with cable on it, was a hoist. In the building, was a picking table. Or a shaker table.

[@mmmfun77]

I’ve gone to two or three old gold mines here in Az. Great video.. In one I saw a small, gold vein deep in the cave rock. Taking a metal detector is a good idea. Another thing I learned is where there is a lot of quartz there is usually gold. When you see natural black sand like dirt , panning it is a good idea. So much FUN!!😊😊 Be very careful when you decide to do this. Research is good before you go. One guy fell through an old floor in a CA old mine I once visited and had to be rescued by the fire department. It took a bit of time for them to get the county records to know the structure enough to safely get him out.

[@shannonhayes9048]

I just found your videos and I love them. I'm a Colorado native and I absolutely love Victor, the drive up to it is beautiful, they do stuff have people working around there. The side of the mountain you can see the work trucks, and the guys working, as for the Donkeys those are more towards Cripple Creek, they just wander around in the road as if they don't really care... Lol.

[@ebenizerb.schlestertrappdu6943]

I was a field archaeologist, and REALLY old nails are square-rectangular in shape. Just thought you'd like to know.

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

Thank you can you give an educated guess what year of the nails we saw in the video?

[@ebenizerb.schlestertrappdu6943]

@@TheMrFlyBoy18 My specialty was historical archaeology, and I'd place them at not before 1890.

[@thatgirl3757]

I so enjoy listening to you speculate; I do the same thing in my head. Thanks and keep safe

[@rumrunner1756]

You do such a great job taking us on these adventures. I love Victor. Hope you take us there. I’ve been gone since before you were born. 👊☮️😷

[@bettyt1198]

We love watching you!! Grandma loves it too!! Thank you for all u do !!

[@paulosborne6517]

I'd say that what you found was a pulverising mill, on at least 3 different levels, with the freshly mined rock / ore going in at the top, getting broken down to a smaller grade, before going to the second level to be smalled up even more, and then onto the first and ground levels. The big steel ring was the 'throat' of a particular type of pulverising mill that had a conical 'bit' inside it to smash large rocks at the top of the building, lower down you'd probably find the smaller grades went through reciprocating crushers with moving jaws, all the way down to a stamp mill at the bottom [or in a different building] for reducing rock to powder so the gold can be sorted out using water settling tanks and screening.

[@susanblauss1530]

I've recently discovered this channel & have been binge watching them all.Chris,I love the fact that you are neither chlostrophic nor afraid of heights- you appear to be fearless! Which is great for me because you take me places I've never seen & obviously won't see.I love all the different explores,but please be careful, a buddy might not be a bad idea- I find myself holding my breath & my heart beating hard in some of the places you go! But I love the adventures- you are my favorite explorer!

[@Daveinet]

I'm very surprised to see you have that much access. Last time I visited the town of Victor, everything was fenced off. You couldn't get close to anything. All the mines on the hill sides were also filled in. When my family went there in the late 60s, we have photos of all the mines on the hill sides. The same hillsides were all filled in when we went in the early 90s. Same for Cripple Creek. There was a mine you could tour on the way to Cripple Creek. We went down inside - 1000 ft down. That was one of the highlights of the trip, not so much what you saw, but that it was authentic. They gave us a couple of rocks which have gold in them. Gold actually looks silver when it is in the rock.

[@kathycagg6531]

What a interesting tour! I’ve visited an old mining town in Colorado but didn’t get the kind of “insider tour” that you managed. I think I noticed some altitude induced heavy breathing. It will really get ya if you’re not used to it, huh Chris? Beautifully done, as usual! Thanks!

[@thatstupidbunnysuit2648]

Man I like your energy or lack there of. Chill vibes and just a genuine personality.

[@olrikparlez3152]

As a bit of an urban explorer and history buff I've got to say again...I really enjoy your content! Great stories!

[@user-eg2bw5we8f]

Мне нравятся такие заброшки побольше такого видео класс

[@Gorgimel]

This reminds me of Annesburg from Red Dead Redemption 2! ^^ So cool to see ancient history come to life in video games! Been watching your channel for a while now and I always love your explorations, Chris! Thanks so much for bringing us such amazing content and discoveries over the years! Eternally grateful! ^^

[@jazzridez]

It's so cool to see the area that I discovered 40 years ago. I moved from Orlando Fla in 72 to Denver and spent the next 4 years exploring the Colorado Rockies. This video is like my shooting old neighborhood. Been hundreds of feet down and traveled miles of drifts. Alwayz take boxes of batteries so you can stay in there longer. Remember ONLY TAKE PICTURES AND LEAVE FOOTPRINTS.

[@Hardenjade]

Great place to get some drone footage

[@rayclark9643]

Hey Chris interesting tour...should have brought a test kit off of Amazon just to see if there was any gold left...considering the current price now stands at $61.05 per gram or $1,899.00 an ounce.

[@WN_Byers]

Here's an interesting unrelated fact. Live rosin, a specific type of water hash (concentrated cannbis product) has become the fastest growing category in the Colorado market, and goes for ~$1,700 an ounce.

[@brentfarvors192]

A "test kit"...? No; Just, NO! The only "test kit", is a shovel/bucket/rock crusher/gold pan/sluice/shaker table...............Hint: Any remaining gold will be finite amounts, not profitable for them to continue to process. You would first have to identify the host rock(s) it was in, then find the "tailings" pile(Processed waste pile, that still contains a little gold), or loose ore never processed. You would then need to crush it to extra fine consistency, and re-run it through a shaker table( Separates fine gold particles from sulfides, and other waste rock)...Those miners literal survival, depended on what they pulled out( They didn't miss "much"...) The only reason anything was left, was if it cost more $ to process, than the OPT( ounces per ton), the ore produced. Typically, 2 ounces per ton(Back Then), which less might still be profitable for today's spot prices...Either that, or go down and sample the mine for new veins...ROFL: "Test Kit..." Those old timers would of rolled on the ground laughing, at that one! "How to make a million $'s, mining?; Start with 2 million...!" Take it from someone who has tried to get gold; The cheapest/easiest way to get it, is to BUY it! As another posted; Gold is a direct correlation to current inflation. The $ LOSES value with inflation, whereas gold retains value...

[@Triple316]

If you’re still there I know some great spots you can scope out.. gold camp road is the old railroad track from Colorado spring to cripple creek gold mine now a back way to and from.. then you have Winfield old mining town no longer there. Sweet spots... if you have any problems or need a place I have family in Durango, Denver, the springs and lots of friends in the mountains that have places to stay if you need one...

[@leehilton9932]

Went up gold camp a bunch back in the day. Loved goin 4wheelin and campin up in that area

[@Triple316]

@@leehilton9932 some of the best in the country! Love 4x4

[@leehilton9932]

@@Triple316 yep, but Montana has some great places too.

[@Triple316]

@@leehilton9932 been to most states and explored a little of what I’ve seen. Never been to there and hope to someday. That’s for sure..

[@ptaylor4923]

TROY! I'm looking for a photo of Midway Saloon. I think I remember it on 67 between Victor & Cripple Creek. Maybe on 81, but probably dozed by mining operations since. That was late 69s, early 70s. People have shown me lots of photos but it's never the Midway Saloon. It had one of those large false fronts with the name in large script letters at least a foot tall. It was all wood, empty, but still standing pretty well.

[@rovhalgrencparselstedt8343]

That thing around 7 minutes is probably a resistor pack used for softstarting electric motors, i'd wager it was for the motor that ran that big winch in there. I've seen them around other mining related electrical equipment like winches and ventilation fan houses from this general time period.

[@danweiss4928]

I just absolutely appreciate your videos. You always know something about the history. I love the history tours that you do

[@raelenelabby6407]

I grew up neat Cripple Creek. Its a BEAUTIFUL area!!!!

[@granthryze2694]

You were just west of the Vindicator Mining District. It's about a 2 1/2 mile walk, which is really cool. But , they don't want you leaving the trail.

[@mkervelegan]

Couldn't resist playing "Gold Dust Woman" while watching this fascinating look at how greedy our forebears were...reminds me also of "Deadwood" but this view is much more genteel.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Chris, I think that mine building you were looking at is possibly an old mill that would process the ore. The wheel you turned could have been used to open the gates on the ore chutes. That can could have been an old carbide container. Very cool it was all just left there, thanks for sharing, much love. xx💖

[@brentfarvors192]

Carbide containers were different; Just a straight "barrel" form. That was either diesel to run the mill, or cyanide to liquefy the gold...

[@SueGirling68]

@@brentfarvors192 I have seen a lot of carbide containers in mines and you are absolutely right but they could have used this old container that was lying around just to put some in is my thinking but I was too lazy to type that lol. I have been watching quite a few abandoned mine channels for years, such as with both Canadian Frank, TVR and American Franks plus Gly's channel too. xx

[@bootsontheground4913]

This has been sitting in my watch later playlist for 2 years, time to watch :)

[@kymburriss4260]

I grew up in Denver, and have seen this place. It was a favorite past time to go to those mountains and explore. Thank you for sharing, and bringing back sime wonderful memories 💝

[@doughildebrand8139]

Hey, dude, thanks for putting my home town on the map. Please be careful exploring...all of the old structures are dangerous. Also, the altitude is obviously kicking your ass, as it did mine when I moved here. Visit us again soon! People here are quirky, kind, misfits, hippies, miners, vets, you get the picture. I'm going to emphasize kind. C'mon up, get to know some people, interview them, etc. Hope to see you soon. What the hell, consider moving here, 'cause this is the last Colorado mountain town within striking distance of a major metro area that has yet to be over-run by arrogant yuppies.Feel free to write me, although, nursing my lady through cancer and to her demise has left me weak physically and mentally, and kinda clueless.

[@ptaylor4923]

Yeah. I was raised in Colorado. If I went back now I'd pass out walking to the corner. Hey, help me with a question. Midway between Victor and Cripple Creek there was to remnants of an old saloon off 67. Midway Saloon. Driving Google street view I can't find it and assume 😪 it was razed by mining bulldozers. Do you remember it or have pictures? I would kill to find pictures if that place, but everyone I communicate with on line has photos of everything but that one saloon. I kick myself for not stopping to take pictures. That would have been in 70s.

[@doughildebrand8139]

Hmm, I haven't noticed anything like that, probably would have in the three years I've been here. There seems to be nothing but ruins on the southwest side of the road. Possibly it was on the northeast side of the road, where the modern mining buildings are, along with the flatter building sites? To quote George Thourogood, "when I drink alone I prefer to be by myself". I avoid bars 'cause there's always some dude who tries to pick a fight with me probably 'cause I'm small. But nope, no sign of a saloon between the two towns.Sorry pal, it sounds like you've got fond memories of the place. All the best.@@ptaylor4923

[@ptaylor4923]

@@doughildebrand8139 Great memories of the old mining towns. The saloon probably opened about 1885 & closed its doors by 1915. And I think it was on Southwest side if the road. Nothing around it in the late 60's but brush and some pine trees. But it was just a priceless piece of history. Thanks for getting back. It hit that stage where I've turned into my grandmother. With the pandemic I don't get out much and do enjoy these videos. I do understand about bars, but from a different perspective. I really loved playing pool, but guys kept hitting on me and it was a pain because I just wanted to play pool. Thanks, Doug.

[@johnbray3143]

Victor is a marvellous place, a photographer's paradise. So much more authentic a feel than Cripple Creek.

[@reidy19eightyfour]

Absolutely love these kind of videos, you’ve actually struck gold with this abandoned place (pun intended) 🤣 love your videos dude 👌🏼

[@michaelciccone2194]

You would make an excellent traveling companion.

[@ryandavis7593]

That heavy thing is a resistor bank. Used to reduce voltage or for breaking motors that are being used to control the decent of a hoist.

[@dougg1075]

So many cool places to see in this world.

[@buckgibbons6218]

Hello, I enjoyed your video of Victor. I used to be a city councilman in Victor. Owned a business or two while I was there. One thing, people can tend to be a bit territorial about the place. You've been places there that I haven't even been. I was afraid of getting shot at. There is an active company there called the C,C, & V. They take about 25,000 ounces a month.

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

Another awesome walk with you through this nice find. Hoping you have a great weekend.

[@NaomisAdventures]

Great video. Such an awesome place with amazing views.

[@deadcorpert619]

Chris, you gotta get out to Cerro Gordo California! There’s a KZbin by the name of Brent Underwood who’s restoring it. Im sure he’d be happy to have the extra exposure. His YT is Ghost Town Living.

[@FendergtrJam]

What was all that banging sound STARTED before he picked up the old overalls? Ghosts of the miners?

[@partyrobbins4690]

I'm pretty sure it was just water dripping down on the sheet metal.

[@mudhutproductions]

You're ten minutes from Cripple Creek. It was a cool little boom town in the day.

[@jimholmes2555]

Look at all the snow! Must be June in Colorado!

[@joseleswopes4396]

That's a Hard Rock Mine ‼️ Watch for the Tommy Knockers 👍

[@EasilyDistractedBySparkly]

Welcome to my home state of Colorado! There's tons of old mining towns here! Central City and Idaho Springs have many, as does Ouray, just to name a few!

[@sandyca1106]

lol I'm watching your videos backwards, though I saw the donkeys ... seems like 2 weeks ago, they were very cute. This was one of the best videos! What an adventure! thank you.

[@bgd73]

a most interesting observation is the first arc welding examples to go with the older rivet style. this must have been expensive in the 1920s...and obviously worth it.

[@abbysapples1225]

Very cool video. I like historic mining any towns.

[@crazykev6491]

Gold Rush: Alaska is the name of the show on Discovery channel.

[@crazykev6491]

Camaro 1968 I’m not a big fan but will watch if I’m flipping channels.

[@sherrycambridge1531]

@@crazykev6491 I'd rather be plane wid my poo c an my big purple didlo........

[@cowboygeologist7772]

Another great adventure; thanks for posting. I went on line looking for property for sale.

[@577buttfan]

Mine exploring season is just starting I cant wait!!! You really had too work a little on this one lol..no portals huh??

[@brentfarvors192]

Just starting? Just ending...Winter is coming.

[@patricialenaburg6553]

Would love to see the town, great video.

[@sherrycambridge1531]

I'm glad you uploaded this, I really like it !!

[@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd]

The rock that's a rusty colour will definitely have gold in it. Miners had a saying "gold rides an iron horse" I suggest you look at Abandoned and Forgotten Places with Gly. He's informative and insane in equal measure. You'll see what I mean Thanks again for another brilliant video

[@lindajoy7208]

What a great explore. I love investigating old workings especially mines. Was scared that you were going to drop your mobile down the shaft.

[@tyn.8934]

Nice little bat door! Ventilation shaft, for sure! Too small I would think, to be a portal. Would love to go do some exploring with you if you're in the area sometime(Pittsburgh, and North of it)! There's still alot of places I haven't explored here in PA. Been here for 9 years, haven't explored much. My wife's family is from central PA. Been to a couple places over there.

[@eileensimpson3725]

Thank you for the interesting tour. Very cool is see all the artifacts. You be careful though.

[@83metalcraftllc52]

You were under Portland #1. I grew up there. Portland #2 no longer exists because the top of the mountain was stripped down 300 ft due to open pit mining.

[@jeffwaddell66]

If you ever get back to Montana near Fairview there are two old draw bridges with a tunnel on one side of them. And closer to the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers there are two old forts. You might be interested in.

[@BBQNBLUES]

That Old Dilatated Mine looks like one of Tony Beet's 'moneymakers' ha

[@BalladofJanine]

That Levi is worth thousands

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Yep

[@johncanetta6708]

I wonder when the mine was last in operation? Stay safe.

[@dezertraider]

THANK YOU CHRIS..YOU ROCK,,ANOTHER FAV,,,,SAFE TRAVELS...

[@ExploringWithBonnie13]

I love watching your videos. Such a beautiful view there. Very interesting place to explore.

[@Gypsy839]

I like looking at old things thank you for the back in time trip❤️

[@BlueFlyer21]

Great stuff , love your videos ,thanks for posting so much this year

[@TomK58190]

6:04 Jason???

[@SuperJohnhughes]

great video, keep them coming, from Australia...

[@journeywithjay]

That building was very similar to the sand quarry we were at. Only this was kinda cooler with the rails instead of a conveyor belt

[@patmccamy4126]

This was very interesting!!! Thanks for sharing! Pat

[@paytoncherwell]

Another enjoyable video, Chris! Looking forward to your next post 😀

[@klaust.2769]

The part at 7:25 ist a resistor network that mostly was used to regulate slip ring induction motors.

[@jgurka2105]

Fascinating - thanks.

[@graemelliott3942]

Beautiful Country!

[@ptaylor4923]

6:05 looks like Mike Myers left his mask on the ground there after Halloween. Rock?

[@chrisproctor1411]

The bed in house is called a box spring mattress

[@jetpetty1613]

Cool video....love Colorado and history!

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

Do one the dude who bought Cerro Gordo.

[@MrBugman2525]

Lots of gold dust out there ,even if u get 2000 a once its fantastic,lots of scrap

[@shannonhayes9048]

P. S. You should explore the Caves on Gold Camp Road sometime, it is rather interesting indeed

[@kevio6868]

I love your videos brother thanks for sharing!

[@bonniekaye]

Loved the video!

[@thomasadams2534]

Love your world

[@Carolbearce]

Very cool and the views are amazing.

[@LeAnimal65]

Holy shit! that's approx. $40 BILLION in gold taken out of that hill!

[@freeze2869]

Goddamn, how long do you think the mine was active? Must of been quite a while for them to mine $40 billion worth of gold from one spot.

[@notmychannel45]

Thank you for another great video!!!!!

[@rrios283s73]

Very cool

[@TrainsOhio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@glennjudd2467]

Interesting stuff ! Probably still gold on this location !