An Unexpected Twist In An Abandoned Mine: Part 1 of 2

It’s best to not make assumptions about abandoned mines… This mine is a good demonstration of that as I was as guilty as everyone else in assuming that a little pocket was just a part of a small stope or dead end raise. Surely, such a dull, insignificant-looking notch in the rib of the adit couldn’t lead anywhere of interest!
This was a gold, silver and lead mine. The ore at this site was discovered in the late 1800s and the early efforts consisted mostly of surface work and some minor underground work (none of which exceeded one hundred feet in depth). The serious work at this abandoned mine took place in the 1920s.
Our initial attraction to this mine was based on rumors of an underground horse whim and some other intriguing features. As I was researching this mine in more depth after our visit, I came across a report that described an underground connection to a large neighboring mine in the district. We were unable to locate any of those. One never knows what to make of rumors, but I have no reason to doubt the report that I read. There are adits and shafts running all over the place at this site. It would be easy to miss something, but there were also a number of caved sections that we encountered in other areas.
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You can see the full TVR Exploring playlist of abandoned mines here: goo.gl/TEKq9L
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD and here: bit.ly/2p6Jip6
Several kind viewers have asked about donating to help cover some of the many expenses associated with exploring these abandoned mines. Inspired by their generosity, I set up a Patreon account. So, if anyone would care to chip in, I’m under TVR Exploring on Patreon.
Thanks for watching!
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Growing up in California’s “Gold Rush Country” made it easy to take all of the history around us for granted. However, abandoned mine sites have a lot working against them - nature, vandals, scrappers and various government agencies… The old prospectors and miners that used to roam our lonely mountains and toil away deep underground are disappearing quickly as well.
These losses finally caught our attention and we felt compelled to make an effort to document as many of the ghost towns and abandoned mines that we could before that colorful niche of our history is gone forever.
I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines
#UndergroundMineExploring

[@MinesoftheWest]

Why is it always the last thing we try that connects with the most additional workings? That was funny to see your perspective of me squeezing into that little raise, that sucked!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, I don't know why we don't come across more of these when we're fresh and full of energy in the morning... As you observed, it is always at the end when we're feeling ready to wrap things up. That was definitely a tight squeeze to get into that little raise, but good on you for doing it!

[@DjPorkchop73]

Justin, you sure are great at cliff hangers! Thanks for sharing another great video and piece of history with us. Can't wait for the second installment! Safe travels and adventures to you and your friends.

[@privatepilot4064]

Hills Brothers Coffee. “The Heavenlyist Coffee that money Can Buy!”

[@mysterycrumble]

I just kept NOT looking at your vids for so long... was so used to watching Gly! but i've discovered there's room in my life for two mine exploration channels! love the video.. i guess i have some catching up to do now! (subbed, obv!)

[@imalec]

Oh this looks amazing. Edit: it was amazing and can’t wait for part 2!

[@ralphpatrick3071]

I have three channels where I drop everything to watch..Two Toes, Proper People and TVR Exploring. Been watching for years. Thank you, Justin!

[@TVRExploring]

I'm in good company! Thank you.

[@Dwendele]

Isn't it Justin?

[@ralphpatrick3071]

@@Dwendele Yes, corrected. Don’t know what I was thinking..

[@uwillnevahno6837]

10:48 Hills Bros Red Can Brand coffee. Can't find a good image on google of a rectangular can.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Justin, those tree rings were an amazing find, you have very good eyesight to have spotted those, awesome. The can at 10:47 was indeed Hill's Brothers Red Can Brand Coffee. Talk about a cliff hanger at the end lmao now I have to wait till next week wondering what you found, the possibilities are endless. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx ❤

[@scottholden5067]

Where do you find such awesome expeditions, and do you risk trespassing laws exploring them?

[@davegrummett1263]

Can't wait to see what's up next. Will it be something reminiscent of the words of the great Oliver Hardy speaking to Stan Laurel? "This is another nice mess you've gotten us into....? I certainly do not wish for a "mess" or anything dangerous but a healthy, cautious, fear can sometimes be exciting. As always I hope all is well with you and your fellow explorers Justin.

[@glennk.7348]

Something mesmerizing about your videos. Like being in another world. Cool. 😎

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Thank you for the Video A very interesting Geologie. What did the mine there. Waiting for Part two. I hope you health is alright you sounded like you have some problems. Best wishes for your health. Take care Yours Frank Galetzka

[@stephenmiller5023]

Hills Bros Coffee used to have the slogan “ Good to the last drop “ I drank my fair share of their product ……. Thanks for posting this one . Now we have to just sit tight until your next video huh?? 🤨. Thanks.😏😆👍

[@DavidHuber63]

If we don't find the mother load it's great looking all the same! ❤️👍

[@k_froggy]

That muck sheet looks like a flattened drum of some sort. I made out "Super" and it kind of looks like a "Ca" at the beginning so maybe Castol? couldnt see enough of it to match it.

[@MiloPerrotti]

Nice "cliffhanger" got us drooling for the next vid! Thanks

[@themineralhunter]

Hi Justin. How can I reach you? Can't find any contact information.

[@rogersmith7396]

Your tree rings are probably a half assed fossilization. The end grain drew in mineralized water , the water evaporated and left the minerals in a pattern.

[@robertcromwell9736]

Hills Brothers is coffee. esp with the vacuum worded on it.

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Nice cliffhanger again Justin 😁nice explore, looked bad at the start but it was not that bad later, cant wait too see patr 2.

[@muckingplacer]

hills brothers coffee. i have one of those cans . i turned it into a bass guitar

[@DavidAnderson-vt8iq]

Hills Brothers - coffee I think.

[@patrickblock2477]

Hills Brothers Coffee was that can

[@spamanator666]

12:02 big old stick of boom?

[@brucevanderzanden9638]

Looking forward to part 2 Justin!

[@luminoussoundsyt]

That was one awesome explore Justin and looking forward to pt 2 :)

[@mountainmineexplorers]

Awesome video, I think the wooden trough was for water to drain over the winze. What camera do you use to film?

[@mikewinings4120]

One possibility for that trough by the winze,could be a water channel for water to help keep the winze as dry as possible,but I doubt it in his mine,looks too dry,but have seen such things in English mines,love another great explore Justin and the crew,can't wait to see the next vid,be safe!

[@leannkennedy6568]

If you'd have to guess...how. many times have you hit your head?

[@TVRExploring]

Over the years? I can't even imagine... I'm sure that it is in the triple digits. At our mine, it is an almost daily occurrence.

[@leannkennedy6568]

@@TVRExploring I hate that I chuckled at your answer, but I did. Stay safe.

[@davekreitzer4358]

Good explore........ So far ! 👌👍😎

[@rjm7168]

Oh - the irony ... 😄

[@dcrosco1458]

out of all the mines that you i have watched you guys go into and come back out of (thank God), I was always wondering if you all know what type of mines they were. Like the type of materials that came out of the mines?

[@TVRExploring]

Check out the descriptions below the videos... I almost always include that information there.

[@dcrosco1458]

@@TVRExploring I am sorry for asking now I fill slow lol. But thank you for saying something

[@TVRExploring]

@@dcrosco1458 Haha, no worries. I'm glad that you know now and can, hopefully, find the videos more interesting as a result...

[@richardwarnock2789]

Justin lookin for Part Deux!!!!; )

[@joshuajackson6442]

Wahoo

[@williamwintemberg]

The end snuck up on me! Darn it! Can't wait to see part 2! What a cliffhanger!

[@rant1200]

Old mines are really fascinating.Checked some out at Bodie,Ca.Great video.

[@archstanton9206]

I knew you were gonna do this to us. LOL...yeah HIlls Brothers Coffee, the old cans were very cool looking. Neat stuff Justin.

[@weedfreer]

Suckling Packrat's got kind of a ring to it. Maybe as some sorta death metal bandname possibly? 🤔

[@Casmige]

Wouldn’t it rather be “Ceiling fall” instead of “Ground-Fall”??.

[@steelplasma256]

If you watch at 2X Speed it looks like you're running into the mine. Very dramatic like a movie scene

[@rickfinden1079]

The can at 11:00 is a Hills Bros Coffee can.

[@stevebaseley]

Looking forward to part 2 thanks for sharing 👍 🇬🇧

[@beverlykennedy126]

Thats a Hills Bros Coffee can look and you can read the word Coffee near the botto of the can.

[@percival23]

Rookie question here. How do you keep track of how you get back out?

[@redlight722]

I never saw the tree rings? Point at them and zoom in when you pass by next time.

[@cndream1]

Hills Brothers Coffee. Still made today

[@bebeandjohnnotsonomadiclif5287]

@6:19 yes clearly I just sold a Hills Bros coffee can #20 like that one for $105.00usd 3 days ago....part 2 is going to be great! thanks.

[@TVRExploring]

Good!

[@jroc9840]

I love your content but do you ever find any gold or anything left over

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good afternoon from Southeast South Dakota

[@georgesmith8113]

👍👍👍👊👊

[@worldtraveler930]

Have you ever had an Howard Carter moment?!?

[@TVRExploring]

Several times... I haven't started posting the videos from the most incredible one yet.

[@worldtraveler930]

@@TVRExploring 😁 I'll definitely be Looking forward to seeing those videos!!

[@Christian-jz3xt]

I love how you always sound like dude from Zombieland

[@leannkennedy6568]

Here we go!

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Awesome video. Very interesting mine. Do you find many artefacts? What do you do with them leave them alone or take them?