Good video. Well, you asked, so I'll give you what I know...Up at the power plant, the south end (where you were at first) was the power side, where the transformers and switchgear were. North of that were the turbines and generators and finally the boilers. The boilers were fired with coal fines using a system much like today's co-gen plants, called fluidized bed combustion. The plant used mine water fed from pumps in the water tunnel down over the hill. It supplied electricity to all of the Susquehanna Coal Company facilities along Big Lick Mountain. It also supplied steam to the breaker and to the hoist house for the shaft. First firing was in 1922 and after mining ceased in the late 30's, PP&L took over operation to continue to generate power for the area for a number of years. The breaker was located to the south around the corner. I believe the structures you found way up on the mountain with all of the pipes were bases for large water tanks. These were filled from either mine water or from the creek below. The catwalk would have gone up to the top of the tanks. Those steel trestle things would have carried steam lines around the complex (I think they're visible in some of the photos). Between the cool building that you like (which I'm told was perhaps a lamp shanty) and the brick building is where the drift opening for Short Mountain tunnel was. Only the top is still visible anymore I think. Sort of directly above that water tunnel if I remember correctly. The brick building is owned by Medco Process, which is a division of Reiff and Nestor Company, a manufacturer of high speed steel taps down in Lykens. This building was the hoist house for the shaft. The shaft is located directly east of this building, but might be difficult to find now that they built the big settlement pond. It would be fairly obvious as large concrete slabs, one of which used to have a metal access door in it. I think it might be visible in google maps, directly out from the hoist house. There was an air slope located on the hill above the hoist house somewhere, but I can't remember where. Might have been sealed. As for the waterfall on the creek, my guess is that it was a very early (1915) attempt to aerate the water. They recognized it was bad and tried to stir it up. Originally Bear Creek from the valley, which was basically clean(ish) water merged with the mine water from Bear Valley tunnel (which drains all of the workings up through Bear Valley on the North side) and all of it flowed down over that waterfall arrangement. Quite spectacular years ago. There's still some stuff for you to find when you get back up there. I will try to send you some pictures taken back in the late 80's if I can find them. Happy wandering!
@stevesgarage72703 жыл бұрын
Good stuff I like it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
@dacdac523 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info, I grew up in E'ville and lived in Lykens for a few years. Walked my dog once up in that area.
@phillipstoltzfus30143 жыл бұрын
Wow lots of cool info I hope he saw it. We live near Gratz.
@davidkahler73 жыл бұрын
This is what I like about the Wandering Woodsman Community; there are always folks in the know about areas Cliff takes us to, and they are always willing to share that knowledge.
@HD4lyfe Жыл бұрын
Not related to the video but that you mentioned Reiff and Nestor taps. We use R&N taps for some jobs where I work. Fairly cheap but effective. Never realized where they came from though lol. I'll have to check out the box closer next time we run those parts.
@crushhardtack19976 жыл бұрын
Pennsylvania has a lot of cool history. I'm physically unable to explore as much as you, but I love following along on your videos. Thanks.
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching
@raypaul55044 жыл бұрын
@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 you should do the plane crash site near Mount Carmel
@janhuddleston38242 жыл бұрын
Jan. I enjoy. Your. Wanderings. So. Much. Keep. Us learning. Your. Places.
@munchkin1662 Жыл бұрын
Ive been watching your videos for a couple months now and stumbled upon this one today. You're in my neck of the woods, how cool is that! 😎
@dwightminnich27224 жыл бұрын
We would not see any of these fascinating areas if it were not for your explorations. I can not believe the incredible technology we had over one hundred years ago. As far as the damage that was done, they did not know what effects their progress would have on the future of the area. It is a large part of our history. Thanks again.
@patsmeal68144 жыл бұрын
Wife and I just recently came across your channel. We love it. You do an awesome job narrating and showing us things that we are unable to travel to and see. We are trying to watch as many as we can and get caught up. We really appreciate all the hard work you put into doing these.
@last.visuals3 жыл бұрын
you’re a good person and it comes through in your videos. that’s when I hit subscribe. keep it up doing what you love. watching from California 👍
@paigegoldhoofandmymumlanam51084 жыл бұрын
I’m in Australia love seeing America, thanks for the great videos👍🏼💋
@luboldpierrephd76133 жыл бұрын
The object you referred to as a conveyer belt was one piece of a maze work of catwalks that lined the inside of the power plant. The thing was gigantic by local standards. As I recall it was three floors or more tall. The upper floors had those catwalks on them. I know because when I was a kid, we would enter the building through one of those huge industrial steel framed windows in the picture you showed. Maybe that was 1962. Even by then those walkways were anything but safe. There were paper documents all over the floors as though they left in a hurry. The building was home to wild pigeons. I have lived in Florida for the past 35 years, and before that Vermont and Virginia, and still find the Lykens area fascinating though I never go there anymore. (My wife went there with me once many years ago and thought I was nuts for 'wasting' vacation days like that.) Chalk it up to nostalgia. That is my family's ancestral homeland. As a child I hiked those hills and also 'Greenland' beyond Indian Love Rock, Pee Wee cave and the Lykens reservoir every time I could. Naturally, I love your videos.
@sandraplonka52256 жыл бұрын
Thank you again for taking us on a amazing journey. My husband was from Pa, eastern part.now we live in Az. Pa is an amazing state lots of history.
@normanjones80893 жыл бұрын
One awesome video there. Its unimaginable how many hours that had to be spent pouring all these concrete piers and tunnels and even now they are still there, however most of the workers have long since passed.
@leonaheraty37603 жыл бұрын
Fascinating history. Thanks so much for sharing. Love your videos. 😀
@giniwalters84014 жыл бұрын
Great adventure Cliff!!! I enjoyed watching this video!!! You do a great job and I appreciate all of the efforts you put into your videos!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
@lindamccaughey66694 жыл бұрын
I so enjoyed that. What a fantastic area with so much to discover. Be nice if you come back here some time. Thanks for taking me along. Take care
@anthonyloguirato80066 жыл бұрын
Great video! So much history in PA. I’m glad this was a longer video. I hope you do more like this. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
@larryberger94403 жыл бұрын
Since you go exploring all around Pa you should get a US Geological survey topographic map. These maps are available from the USGA for a modest cost. They are organized in Quadrangles with some city at the center. Then when you are hiking around an area you use the map and see what those concrete structures were - the maps show elevation, quarries, mines, roads, streams, structures and other land features. Might help you to discover what the structures you find are. What the ruins are. Nice videos. thanks RJS.
@marleneestabrook19994 жыл бұрын
incredible place to explore lots to see you could spend all day there and not see everything sometimes i worry about you going alone the tressels were cool painting the inside of that building was unusual thanks for taking me along
@stevereilley6 жыл бұрын
Another cool video!!! I'm really looking forward to your series on the Union Canal. Keep up the great work and please be safe out there.
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@kateclark7250 Жыл бұрын
You are an intrepid explorer. Thanks man.
@lindamccaughey88004 жыл бұрын
That was fantastic. Thanks for taking me along
@ladyvalhalla71546 жыл бұрын
You're a hardy soul. So cold I could almost feel it on this 1st day of summer.
@steventrosiek26233 жыл бұрын
He's a cute soul, too.
@daveyjoweaver51835 жыл бұрын
Looked chilly but there is something about being in the woods when it is cold and you can see a long way that is beautiful. If you were trying to survive it may look different but if you know what to do it may well be fun. Thanks WWCliff. And those pipes must have carried water to the power plant and perhaps provided water for steam engines for the coal? Just wondered but those structures were cool. I imagined building a house on top of those trusses, cool. DaveyJO
@bekleidungu.ausrustung70684 жыл бұрын
Nice. That power plant is awesome!!!
@bryanhikes7248 Жыл бұрын
Found your channel the other day. I love your content! I know this is an older one but keep it up!
@Impulse_Photography3 жыл бұрын
[ Reflection after Reflection after Reflection .... ] is called " Recursion " >> >> >> Great Video !! We also have 'Orange Running Water' but over here its caused by water run-off from the train tracks; the iron getting into the waterways.
@907nvl5 жыл бұрын
Excellent video 👍
@karenpacker88624 жыл бұрын
Huge operation. Awesome video!
@UrbCrafter6 жыл бұрын
This is what im talking about... i enjoy the short videos but i really like these long ones... great video... thanks for bringing us along.. hey when you going to do a sit down and have lunch with us in the woods? curious to see whats in that pack you carry and how you use it... thanks again...
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
I may do that this spring
@UrbCrafter6 жыл бұрын
that would be great. look forward to it..
@56kicki4 жыл бұрын
What a wonderful explorer you are! I enjoy watching every adventure. You need a scarf and some ear muffs. My ears are getting cold just watching.
@nickmad8874 жыл бұрын
Thank you Cliff.
@beverlykennedy1264 жыл бұрын
It’s hard to believe all the structures and how big those structures were in the area where your standing. Pa does have a lot of history. Just wish the weather were a bit more forgiving. Oh well such is Life.
@Noname-ir1tl3 жыл бұрын
Great video's! I watch until I get motion sickness 🤣
@CheapestGamer6 жыл бұрын
Those concrete structures by Bear Creek looked like bridge supports of some kind. I know there's ones similar to those in Pittston, PA along Laurel Street just before it passes under the Pittston Bypass/South Township Boulevard and becomes Main Street for those from the area looking to see something similar to the ones in the video.
@577buttfan4 жыл бұрын
The tunnel with the orange water was too eerie looking but inviting!
@chmom22885 жыл бұрын
Awesome exploration.
@clintleroy6706 жыл бұрын
Pictures of the Mines in Bear valley - www.lykensvalley.org/tag/bear-gap/page/5/ - Additional details about Navy involvement can be found on this page = www.lykensvalley.org/tag/bear-gap/ ( Pages 1 thru 7)
@milktruck9345 Жыл бұрын
Is that public land? You could do a stealth camp overnight there.
@AC-qn4qv6 жыл бұрын
Interesting find, I've come across similar concrete piers around Derry/Latrobe area close to the old PRR mainline. I assumed they were used for loading/unloading.
@davidlalone22863 жыл бұрын
We have something very similar here in Bunker Hills where they used to mine coal. They were rail lines pillows. Dave on the Oregon coast.
@Dawsonsrailfanadventures746 жыл бұрын
The pier things you walked under is where they unloaded train cara
@intercityrailpal3 жыл бұрын
Broke it down into smaller sizes to shoot into the furnace 14;00
@David.Colvin6 жыл бұрын
your never to old to build a fort!
@jay.06216 жыл бұрын
David Colvin too*
@chelseydeetta28474 жыл бұрын
Really sad of the toxie water, orange. That I don't understand. Boy the history is just awesome in Penn. So much history. Its amazing that anyone would build in the woods.
@alexnace95165 жыл бұрын
Used to ride down that hill on scooters with my friends and one time I fell off and scraped my leg on the ground real bad
@worldoneprofessorjamesperr24172 жыл бұрын
"All who wander are not lost..."
@bryanhikes7248 Жыл бұрын
"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost. The old that is strong does not wither. Deep roots are not reached by the frost." J.R.R.Tolkien
@cleoc1363 жыл бұрын
My mom told me that they would go to the culm banks to pick for coal they could use for heating (very poor)
@ElderHiker3 жыл бұрын
I wonder if any State authorities have given consideration to cleaning up these toxic, polluted streams. That water has to go somewhere and wherever that is, it doesn't deserve to get that toxic runoff. Yuk.
@dacdac523 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I have seen areas where they are trying to correct this problem. They divert the creek into a concrete pit that is filled with large chunks of limestone, I guess this neutralizes the acid in the mine runoff.
@toruko-ishibravo2zulu6794 жыл бұрын
I joined some National Speleological Society members touring a Montana mining camp. One resident. Not counting rattlesnakes. We'd all been advised to avoid being alone with that person. Who bartered mine relics for beer, food, and tobacco. Amid broken walls and rubble We entered a pitch black stope. Steep walking descent . Beside ore car rails and rusty cables. We carried lamps ; both electric and calcium carbide fueled. Massive timbers supporting damp shaft walls. Halted at one level to look into an emergency shelter. Fire fighting gear, axes, pry bars, and more underfoot. Rusty. Steel lockers filled with moldy clothing, bent lunch buckets, and black rubber boots. Many empty metal and wood cases. Some were military surplus . On exit our individual exhaled breath caused the Geiger Counter to peg in a red colored extent radioactivity exposure. Yup, we should have been glowing in the dark, but go figure. Native Americans, mainly Navajo, had excavated this mine for ore. That when refined has since fueled power plants. Aboard US Navy Submarines.
@StonedMike4203 жыл бұрын
Almost looked like a wheel chair ramp
@lisabolo263 жыл бұрын
At 1:07, that "mountain" or "hill" behind this nice bro is a covered pyramid. 8:21 is megalithic. The red color in the running water is nothing other than COPPER running through. Hence, the Copper-colored, original Americans who built and lived here.
@seconds-kr5uj4 жыл бұрын
25:30 It looks like a catwalk/service access
@577buttfan6 жыл бұрын
Wow,I wonder where the rest of the bridge went..pretty cool! So all this toxic water goes into the other main rivers..kinda sucks huh?
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
It causes quite a bit of damage
@balla60105 жыл бұрын
Someone got a fat wallet, now we are left with a environmental disaster. And noway to stop the toxic flow!
@craigbrowning94485 жыл бұрын
Supposedly it's a Hoax Invented it China!
@johnmurray49186 жыл бұрын
With out you showing us what this stuff is, people would wander through having no idea what the heck they were looking at. It is just a guess, but could the area with the large foundation, walkway and metal pipes be the actual location of the colliery, as it looks like they always seem to be on a hillside. Is it possible those concrete pipes were once part of a chimney that was knocked over. Anyway, too bad those mine tunnels can't be sealed up some how, to stop the pollution.
@johnferguson1853 жыл бұрын
The remnants of wooden water tanks
@johnferguson1853 жыл бұрын
Walkway to the tops of the water tanks
@intercityrailpal3 жыл бұрын
You must learn to use the green pass on private property! CASH.
@rabbibacongrease882 жыл бұрын
Where is the longest tunnel that is still possible to explore?
@beckyschmidt40254 жыл бұрын
What process do modern coal mines use to avoid creating orange and poisoned water? Another question: Is there any way to purify this water?
@577buttfan4 жыл бұрын
Well when pyrite gets exposed from mining and reacts with air and water you get an over acidic reaction that causes the orange color..I would think reverse osmosis might purify it but not sure?
@danmathers1413 жыл бұрын
What would the process be of dealing with the orange water?
@AC-qn4qv6 жыл бұрын
I'm thinking that ramp was access to the top of a wooden water tank, those small diameter circular pipes at the base were probably the bands holding the wood together
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@lincolnmaniac6 жыл бұрын
the metal ramp is probably the entrance to the top of the breaker.
@nakoawarrior31862 жыл бұрын
Could you make black powder out of the coal dust?
@timothyevans2183 Жыл бұрын
On your Shamokin video I ment the Cameron produced 300 million not 300 thousand tons of coal
@fuzzwack16 жыл бұрын
Very COOL!!
@nickmad8875 ай бұрын
Thanks
@timfrederick79836 жыл бұрын
I'm pretty sure the orange color on the rocks is caused by the sulfuric acid in the water,from the coal. Sulfur deposits.
@alexnace95165 жыл бұрын
Also, you should check out love rock
@lincolnmaniac6 жыл бұрын
they didn't really have a use for coal smaller than pea back before auto feed stoker boilers and furnaces....they just dumped it......after ww2 auto feed stokers that burn barley, rice and buckwheat coal became common. much of the rice coal you buy is reclaimed.
@shawnhammack84795 жыл бұрын
The creek is orange because of the Sulfer from the mine as well. The circuler concrete tubes are probably the stacks from the plant. That was a catwalk. You think they would take all the metal. That little building is going to be some hobos little hutt.
@rrich528062 жыл бұрын
Why is water toxic. Looks like high iron content from rocks.
@Friskee626 жыл бұрын
VERY COOL vid...it's a shame all that toxic orange water.
@lunardream93606 жыл бұрын
we used to call that sulfur water not sure what it is
@prismstudios0016 жыл бұрын
I would like to know if it really is toxic, or just discolored by Iron oxide, or something. Sulfur water, what I have always known as Sulfur water is not toxic, and is considered a tonic of sorts here in (the Appalachian area, of) KY at least. Tastes /smells awful, but said to be good for you! I stayed with friends in E. Ky. and all of the water(even from the tap) was Sulfur water....Not a fun weekend hydration wise.
@ravenwood11355 жыл бұрын
Looks like a cat walk to a pump house.
@Drakey_Fenix6 жыл бұрын
There are a lot of these drains which let out toxic water from old mines.. would it be possible to just seal them and trap the water in there?
@shiftycryptid37756 жыл бұрын
Drakey Fenix as a local resident no it is not possible to seal it. Though there are local scientists who are working on ways of naturally filtering out the toxins.
@jefftaylor73063 жыл бұрын
Apparently still in business
@robdwy17085 жыл бұрын
Cool
@Sleezax6 жыл бұрын
Love your videos. Have you been to Lausanne? Or on Mt Pisgah?
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
I have been to Lausanne and I plan on going to Pisgah sometime this spring
@Sleezax6 жыл бұрын
The Wandering Woodsman nice I'm currently working on Evans mine
@wardsavacool76115 жыл бұрын
Have you ever come across any old auto junk yards?
@DDExplores6 жыл бұрын
What kind of camera do you use,,, and what selfie stick? thanks
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
Canon SX60, no selfie stick
@jameskellinger83144 жыл бұрын
Where did the toxic creek flow to?
@chicagotypewriter296 жыл бұрын
I’ve been trying to find the Gratz tunnel air shaft for years any way u could help me?
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
I have the coordinates written down in a notebook, someone gave them to me a while back, I'll try to find them.
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
I found them, 40 35.608 76 42.247. The coordinates are in degree minute decimal form, but that's how they were given to me. I believe the coordinates were just a bit off as well. And just a warning, the area is posted.
@buddylight21916 жыл бұрын
I have family there.
@christopherschoffstall73345 жыл бұрын
I just posted a link on my fb page you might be interested in about bear gap. From what I read, it was one of the largest mining operations in the world in 1876. Hope you see my post and read the link I posted.
@Bob_V5 жыл бұрын
I have a great suggestion for you in exploring for old runes.Why don't you try www.pennpilot.psu.edu/index.html This is a great site for old time Arial photos.I looked at the area you are exploring and found those structures, Looks like they were never used or perhaps were not used very long.
@dorothystrohm76204 жыл бұрын
You need to inquire more about things before you do a video on this. The Briquet Plant, Dye company and Washery were NOT up on the mountain. And the deep shaft you referred too where the Navy came t is where the elevator shaft was that let the miners down into different levels of the min. Contact me sometime I composed a book on the mines. My grandfather ran the elevator , so i know a little about things up there. Contact me and i will share what i know
@waffletoast69973 жыл бұрын
shut up u old bitch
@dorothystrohm76203 жыл бұрын
WaffleToast I will pray for you, you must be sick. I was not speaking to you. I was telling the gentleman making the video, the facts.
@dorothystrohm76203 жыл бұрын
WaffleToast you are too ashamed to use your real name and photo...... you must be a real prize, NOT!
@waffletoast69973 жыл бұрын
Dorothy Strohm old bitch
@phillipstoltzfus30143 жыл бұрын
I hope he saw this, this was good info. I live in this area and never knew how extensive the old mine operations were.
@vikkinicholson23005 жыл бұрын
infiniti reflection.
@lincolnmaniac6 жыл бұрын
here is more information for you. coalpail.com/coal-forum/viewforum.php?f=54 i have been a member of this forum since 2006
@intercityrailpal3 жыл бұрын
Victim of cheap oil and gas in Philly and NY and Canada
@coogsworth6 жыл бұрын
I think those big cement pipe were smokestacks.
@steviegene40066 жыл бұрын
What kind of toxins are causing the orange water?
@chrisransdell81106 жыл бұрын
Its very acidic water that forms when water contacts coal somehow. I'm not sure of the mechanism but its definitely acidic.
@thewanderingwoodsman72276 жыл бұрын
The orange color is actually from rust. There is iron in the rock, and when the mines fill up with water the iron oxidizes into rust. There is quite a few other chemical processes going on as well that produce toxic levels of other metals and compounds. Not all abandoned mine drainage is acidic, in some places it is very alkaline in content.
@kimw93405 жыл бұрын
@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 if you ever are interested in exploring abandoned amusement parks or mills let me know I'm in pa aswell
@lisasmith78544 жыл бұрын
Wouldn't a drone be awesome to use on some of your videos. For Caves. The mountains etc.. .do you have any sponsors. Answer not needed, just hopefully put a bug in the right ear 😉
@lanerovito43243 жыл бұрын
yes where were the colliers coal cars right up and down them stanchions and then they date they put it to the cold I'm real estate transfer to the train waiting with the hopper cars yeah yeah just like anywhere else Ohio Kentucky southern Illinois Indiana West Virginia Pennsylvania where you are etc etc etc
@annettemillette40914 жыл бұрын
THEY FIGHT SO HARD FOR PENNSYLVANIA AND NOW THEY HAVE PART IN RUINS SAD