"Holy Grail" of Mine Exploration Found Full Rock Drill Setup Frozen in Time!! 1890s Abandoned Mine

Join us as we rappel to a mine, virtually untouched for over a century, considered one of the least explored in Washington due to its extreme inaccessibility. Reaching the mine is an adventure in itself. The final approach requires technical skills, as the mine's entrance is precariously perched on a sheer rock face, Staked in the 1890's and worked through 1918 this copper mine holds some of the rarest artifacts you will find in any mine.
This mine is extraordinary not only for how remote it is but it also holds some of the rarest mining artifacts all in one mine.
A Full Drifter Drill: Perhaps the most striking and rare find, is a full drifter drill that remains set up as it was left over a century ago, an enduring monument to the miners’ hard labor. It stands frozen in time as if awaiting its next task, a rare relic of that mining era.
Many ghost towns, mines and other forgotten historic sites in Washington State have already disappeared from history and many more are being lost each year to the ravages of time, wildfire, vandalism, and intentional closure. In addition to our many years of photographic documentation of these important historic sites we are now attempting to video document as many sites as we can so there is a lasting record of these places for future generations.
We hope you enjoy what we do and will join us on our adventures through a bygone era of Washingtons rich history. Not only do we love the history we explore and document, but we truly enjoy sharing these sites and experiences with our followers and viewers.
We appreciate you and thank you for Watching!!
#exploringabandonedmines #abandonedmine #mineexploring #abandoned #mining #history #mines #adit #shaft #underground #minerals #goldmine #urbex #caves #artifacts #washingtonstate #rappelling #rockdrill #miningequipment
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[@eddieuyeta6554]

Thanks for your video of Walville Japanese Cemetary! My father was born in Walville in 1930 and soon thereafter went back to Japan. His father could have of worked at the lumber mill. I went there yesterday with my family and did a little clean up of the grounds. Thanks again for the video and photos. Hopefully others can also help maintain it as well. Happy new year!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you for sharing a part of your family history. Glad to hear you were able to do some maintenance of the cemetery. It is an important place in our regions history. Appreciate your comments, and thank you for watching. Happy New Year.

[@taliag5018]

Thank you so much for super imposing historical photos on top of the ore car and drill. Especially the pic with the man running the drill made me understand it whereas I didn't when you were just showing it now. It takes extra work for you to do that but it is much appreciated and I haven't seen any other mine KZbinrs do that.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you very much. We are glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate your watching and your comments.

[@daryljacobson7462]

Great adventure and spectacular job of filming. This was great, Tim, Forrest and Drew. That little barrel at about 11:10 into the video was likely an antifreeze barrel. They poured antifreeze in the compressed air lines for the drills to keep them from icing up.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks, Daryl. appreciate you commenting as always.

[@jeremytuggle6424]

Awesome, exploration of this mine. 😎

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you!

[@waynejones8481]

Dude this is my first time watching one of your video's. I love how you edit it and take something old like the ore car and superimpose a good image over it thats awesome for a small time vidiograghfer!!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Welcome, we appreciate your comments, and thanks for watching!

[@TotallyFlashy]

Thanks! What an awesome mine to get to view through the hard work and dedication you guys show!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Very kind and appreciated. Thank you very much!

[@chriswenberg4823]

Awesome find thanks for taking us along!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you!

[@NewArcadian]

Excellent. First drill I think I've seen in situ with the full setup. Characterful mine too - looked a fun day of it. Credit too to those ladder rungs!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It's one of the best for sure. Thanks for watching and the comments.

[@EngineerSaysWhat]

Nice video overlay showing what the equipment would have looked like when new!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We are glad you liked it. Appreciate your comment, and thank you for watching.

[@ThatOneGuyWithTheEye]

That pickaxe looked super cool. First time ive seen one so intact

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Same for us, we have found partial handles but never fully intact.

[@bellgab]

Incredible find! Thanks for sharing. Lots of these in the Cascades, but not intact like that. The difficulty of access has protected it from the vandals. Can't wait to see more of it.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is very rare indeed to come across a site like this. Appreciate the comments and, as always, thank you for watching

[@Mark_The_Magnificent]

Absolutely the most amazing mine explore video I have ever seen. JUST INCREDIBLE!!!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you very much. We appreciate you watching and your comments.

[@TheSilmarillian]

Would I be right in guessing that mine had a massive fire hence even the rock drill still in place, great explore greeting from Australia opal miner here so I love these abandoned mines , I know the camera doesn't do justice at times but having worked my own mine I get a scale of what you are showing. Great work indeed and thank you for taking me along.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Not aware of a fire, once these mines went belly up, they shut down overnight, and it was cheaper to just leave everything. Appreciate you watching and thanks for the comments.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

There wouldn't have been any dynamite or wood left if there had been a fire.

[@apeters911]

You guys hit the Gold Mine of artifacts ! 🎉 You guys Rock ! Thanks for taking us along for the ride 👍🏻

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you. we really appreciate it.

[@rons1566]

Incredible complex mine. Hard to believe all of that work went on underground back then. Thanks for all you do to show us this amazing history

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you for the comment. We appreciate you watching!

[@monkeywentbananas]

Awesome drill and other artifacts! Nice find.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Nice job on the video. Fun to see the drill still on the column and aimed at the heading. The track bender was cool, too!👍👍

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you appreciate that!

[@ThomasPaine1974]

This is awsome! Thank you for taking us along !

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you!

[@Unhinged_uk]

Have you ever seen or heard anything paranormal in mines?. Crazy how those ladders haven’t rotted. Great video, very informative, thank you and Merry Christmas.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Have only had one odd experience at this mine kzbin.info/www/bejne/momzZ2ykhJeDgqMsi=e0hkL_xGQtaF9A8V Other than that, no. Appreciate the comments and thank you for watching.

[@mikesminibusiness]

Great to see the old drill still set up. Awesome video.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It really is great, only one we have heard of in our neck of the woods. Thanks for the comments.

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington Miners truly had it rough back then.

[@qldabandonedmines]

That was completely epic! Nice work lads!

[@OGRocker1]

Hey Eb, my brother from down under.... GTSY.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you very much appreciated!

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

Those miners were badazz back in the day. Confined spaces, incredible amounts of dust and noise and the fact that the mine could collapse anytime.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Without a doubt!!

[@Chris98203]

I’m totally stunned by your exploring spirit. I’m vicariously terrified just watching this. My fear of heights and closed spaces would have left me staying with the vehicles. We lived very near to a zinc mine between Arlington and Granite Falls. I only ventured in maybe 30 feet as I wasn’t dressed or equipped to go further. I couldn’t find any agency that was interested in blocking the entrance so it’s still sitting there waiting for idiots like to get themselves hurt or killed

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Definitely not for everyone or something anyone should try. We have been doing this a long time, and there is risk we assume.

[@russwentz3957]

A really nice presentation of your experience! Really like how you would super-impose period images of the artifacts too. Thank you so much for sharing

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We really enjoyed doing it! Thank you for watching.

[@jamzholm]

Wow amazing video and story!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Its a great site for sure. Thanks for watching we appreciate it.

[@troycebrooks6941]

Wow, what an awesome mine, thank you for documenting it and bringing us along. I was blown away by the square set and it just got better from there. Thought you were crazy going to the upper levels but glad you did. The drill set up and ready to drill was incredible. When you first entered the portal I was wondering how they got the ore, until you found the ore chute going to the lower level. Question would be is the main haulage adit accessible?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Hi there, yes, the main haulage below is accessible. We have visited it several times. It wouldn't have made a very interesting video without the upper, and we were still working out the details of how to reach the upper. We may go back this coming summer. Very much appreciate your comments, and thank you for watching.

[@Soil-biochar-compost]

Incredible video incredible mine

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks!

[@EinenGolf]

pretty brave to step on the centre of the ladder rungs!! I would keep my feet to the edges where its stronger.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Definitely hear what you're saying. It's really case by case after making a good assessment of the condition.

[@gem6240]

When i lived in Northern California there was a guy who had a working gold mine and museum. You could use a drill he had set up outside. Those drills are very loud, wet and messy! Hard workers back then.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We have heard they operate exactly how you are describing. Appreciate the comments.

[@donmarion8808]

They rail bender was called a Jim Crow or Jay Crow. I've heard both . When I worked underground, we called it a Jay Crow. Great video thx

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you!

[@curtisgauthier9205]

I never understood the scale of those drill seeing you guys next to it that's amazing!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It really is an amazing piece of equipment to see!!

[@errosionofaccord3429]

Nice find!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks!

[@tomgray3804]

When you said something like, "it was a difficult rappel in" I was wondering about how hard it was going to be to get out. Getting down looks like a cakewalk compared to the route out. Great video. thanks for showing the surrounding area, looks like a beautiful place

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Both directions have different challenges there is loose rock and brush at the start of the repel, pulling yourself up vs. going down definitely takes it out of you.

[@forresttufte4377]

Going up was definitely a bit more tricky than going down. Overall though it wasn't too bad of a climb out!

[@boblloyd75]

Wow, some interesting treasure trove of artifacts, the most I've seen out of all the mining channels I follow. Never saw an actual drill set up on any other channel.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is the most in any mine we know of or have heard of in WA. The drill is incredible. Appreciate you watching and your comments.

[@bruceaisher]

Wow what an absolutely amazing find! I've seen a lot of mine exploration videos but never seen one where the dynamite is still in the box or the drill is set up. It seems like they just got up and left one day and never came back - and you're some of the first people in there since. Just brilliant and very impressive how you got to it. Curious how on earth the miners got there back in the day? Did they repel down there as well?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

The shaft between the upper and lower haulage tunnel was likely used to transport ore and equipment. Whether it was used daily as a manway is not clear, but it would seem likely as the camp and haulage tunnel were below and much more accessible.

[@bruceaisher]

@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington Ah right I see makes sense. Thanks for the insight and Happy New Year!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

@@bruceaisher Happy New Year to you as well.

[@sanddabz5635]

This was just majorly cool! But if you had to repel down to reach the adit of the mine, how in the world did the miners access it back in the day? The timbering, that metal drill, all that had to be either hauled up or hoisted down i suppose? I wonder how they knew that in that particular spot out of everywhere around there if they dug into there they would find copper?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

The ore was most likely moved from the upper tunnel to the lower haulage tunnel via the 300' shaft. Most likely this is how they moved the equipment up as well. There was a miners trail that went above the upper. As to whether they accessed the upper adit some other way other than the shaft is a bit of a mystery. They did a lot of surveys and tests to determine the best location where they felt rich ore bodies existed.

[@sanddabz5635]

@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington Thank you for replying. Really amazing stuff! To think what these miners were doing back in that time. I am in awe of these miners. They were so resourceful, tenacious and with the ability to engineer and adapt as you go, just staggering considering the location and the technology of the times. New subscriber😀 Thanks for taking us along and Merry Christmas to you!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you.

[@mwebb-01]

all the white around the sticks isnt that old sweated out nitro? Also would this stil be quite dangerous to handle? To bad all the fire damage to the mine. It would be fun to explore the whole thing. Thanks for sheding light to something Lost in time.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

So would start by saying we treat all as potentially dangerous, with that said we have seen and heard of people handling old explosives in mines around here over the years. The majority of the explosives encountered are water logged and have been in a wet environment for many years. It really also depends on what the actual chemical make up of the explosive is as to its volatility. You have dynamite and non dynamite explosives some of the most volatile nitroglycerin explosives were not used much after the 1880's and 1890's.

[@poffa2]

Never touch old explosives. It is completely impossible to say how unstable they have become over time. Old explosives are active for at least 150 years. Moisture is guaranteed to have an effect together with substances found in the bedrock.

[@chris-nwue_B]

This was a cool one. A guy told me backn in the 60s he climbed the manway up about 20 landings then the ladder rungs broke so he gave up. Need to get someone to repell down to the haulage tunnel. Would be cool to see if the natural cavern really exist. Also was told another ore cart is below on another level not on any maps.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Evidently, someone did rappel down the shaft. There was a partial video out there, but it didn't show the findings. Would be very cool.to know what's down there. Appreciate the comments, Chris.

[@bradleylile7303]

Super interesting, where do y'all find maps for these mines? Is it just a stored document through DNR?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

DNR records special collection records and legendary timers who did this before us.

[@64puma64]

Amazing. Felt like you guys were exploring the Titanic; about the same era, come to think of it. Rustcicles and all. Hard to believe they just walked away from that drill in the middle of a round of drilling and blasting.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is a very unique mine, and you can feel the age and history. Appreciate you watching and your comments.

[@madeinyorkshire52]

Wow - I must’ve watched a few hundred exploring mine videos but this has got to be right up there as one of the best! Well done especially having to abseil down to that adit on the side of the mountain. And amazing so many artefacts still left - what a find that rockdrill which it’s stand still intact; and the ore cart, etc. Q - seeing that ore car track that had been laid in that adit, I was initially wondering how they got the mined rock off the mountain with no sign of any sort of cabled infrastructure outside the portal. But there were clearly some ore passes leading down to what you described as the main haulage level - so I guess that’s how they removed the copper ore🤔. Why did you choose to enter by that adit, awkwardly positioned on the mountain side, rather than entering via a lower haulage level? I guess the portal and adit you entered must have been blasted from the inside until it broke out of the rockface, rather the other way round. So many questions 😂 🧨⛏🧨⛏🇬🇧

[@madderscience]

totally speculating but I would assume rappelling down 100 feet on the exterior of a cliff is probably safer than trying to climb up from below or climb that vertical shaft. With the air movement through the mine there must be open entrances at lower levels. I think they say that too early in the video.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes the approach from above is easier and safer.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

The material ore was moved via the shaft down to the lower haulage tunnel. We approached from above as you would have to cross the gully, which is steep and treacherous then climb a nearly shear rock face to the portal entrance. The shaft in the lower tunnel that leads to the upper is a mess with collapse from the wood shaft liner and material.

[@watkinsinc.7147]

Thank you

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks!

[@UncleBildo]

That must be on the wet side of the mountains, just looking at the foliage and density of trees etc. I grew up on the dry side hiking and playing around outdoors, it was a shock the first time I went hiking on the wet side! Was unfamiliar with such walls of vegetation. Some sketchy wandering! The dark rocks make me super curious. Was that just a patina of oxidized minerals and water seepage? Or is the actual rock that color? Only things I know of that dark are coal and Gilsonite......

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes this is on the west side. All good questions, we believe that is the color of the host rock and at one point knew what it was but eluding me off the top of head. We can look at our records see if we can find the information.

[@texican65]

Pretty cool. So…how did the miners access the mine back when? Was your access an air shaft or something?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

At the beginning of the video, it shows how we reached the mine. The miners utilized the shaft, and there was a miners trail that went above the upper tunnel. Some of the exact "how" is a bit of a mystery.

[@texican65]

@ Thanks for the prompt response. Yes, I curiously watched the way you guys gained entry…I was just wondering if that was a ventilation shaft or something. I don’t see the miners rappelling in like that for everyday work. Who knows. In any case, very neat…thanks for posting and actually responding. I explore coal mines here in WA. Maybe we’ll run into each other out in the woods one day. :)

[@danlutjemeier4183]

Wow is right! Very cool adventure, you guys are really taking things to the next level (pun intended). Gotta wonder how the miners accessed and developed such a remote and vertical ore body, perhaps they worked their way up from the haulage adit through the vein structure via raises and stopes? The restoration/enhancement overlays you did on the artifacts are the cat's meow... TY! BTW... did you rap down from the adit or jug your way back up?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks for the comments. Rappelled down and back up the same way down.

[@madderscience]

that is one heck of a site. Clearly largely untouched.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It is rare to see and very inaccessible. Appreciate the comments.

[@andrewm1967]

this was great ? one question how did the get all the ore out back in the day ?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Down the shaft to the lower haulage tunnel.

[@andrewm1967]

​@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington where you able to get Down the shaft to the lower haulage tunnel and see it and maybe film it

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We have been to the lower haulage tunnel in the past a couple times. We have not filmed it as of yet.

[@jesperjohansen6047]

Relax, Poindexter! Dynamite has a shelflife of 1 year under GOOD conditions, thats why the "Hercules" boxes are full of savdust Dont play "catch" with it & if it smells like bananas, run like the wind 😁

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thanks for the comment.

[@GLF-Video]

Awesome mine video. Well done! Thanks

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Thank you for watching.

[@bruehlt]

There had to be other entrances that were closed off to access this mine? It's interesting how sloppy they were by leaving dynamite all over the place, as well as the drill. Looks like they just abandoned everything.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

There is a lower main haulage tunnel 300' below. Wasn't uncommon for mines in this area to be abandoned in this manner. Thanks for watching and your comments.

[@hrbailey379xhd]

I’ve seen a lot of drills and parts, but I’ve never seen one left installed!

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Same for us!

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

I attempted to come up from the bottom but fell short of the adit , looks like I wouldn't have made it up that cliff anyway. I know a guy who claims hes come up the bottom route twice.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It's pretty unbelievable stuff, for sure! Thanks

[@terrysmith8133]

can you tell us how they got the ore out?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

The ore was moved via the shaft to the lower haulage tunnel.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Via the shaft to a lower haulage tunnel.

[@Metalfusioncowboy]

Seems like there was another level below maybe a haulage level

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes, we reference that in the video, there is a lower haulage tunnel.

[@captaincrunch5878]

Always check the "Hiden" cans you see tucked out of the way , Highgrade Stash... 😮😅

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Don't disagree, but given this was a copper mine, the Au and Ag assays were insignificant.

[@albertlorenzen3048]

That is an air turbine driven diamond drill, used for exploration, in underground mines. It is a JV DRILL. I was a diamond driller, and operated, these drills.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

👍

[@wyomarine-m5s]

For those that have never worked underground, they can't understand the noise and mist from the water spray coming off these drills. A dynamite headache is also something I don't ever care to repeat.

[@TedVolz-m1r]

obviously, the difficulty of getting to this mine has kept it intact, but how in the hell did they get the ore out to a refinery?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

They moved the ore down the shaft to the lower haulage tunnel and took it out from there.

[@MrBeatenpath]

i hike wa state and hope i never fall down a mine shaft..

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

👍

[@charlesmartin3277]

How did find was on map that asmoe duds

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We knew of it for years through word of mouth.

[@ThomasLeonard454]

Be VERY CAREFUL around that box of bang bang.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

We always exercise caution around elements of a mine, dynamite is one of those. Appreciate the comment.

[@madderscience]

shovel with handle at 15:21?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Nice catch, yes it does appear to be a shovel.

[@carebear2272]

That box of dynamite is crazy dangerous when it gets old, the nitroglycerin will weep out of it in time and pool to the bottom of that box and become highly sensitive to explosion

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

It's always a look don't touch.

[@carebear2272]

Be more worried about walking or moving around it with the rocks, touching it bare handed could give you a bad headache

[@carebear2272]

Ahhh Dam you for making this video you get me so interested, we have one of this drill bits at our farm. Do you know if they were using dry drill bits there or wet ones? I don’t know if that’s the right terminology when they used water or not, I know dry ones are old

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

In this one not sure if they all had holes in the bit or not. We see a mix of both at some sites.

[@gem6240]

I've heard of people picking up old boxes and having that happen. They have no need to even be there!

[@Freedomquest08]

As mineralized as it is, it looks like a lot of ore is still everywhere in this mine. It must have closed abruptly and unexpectedly for the drill to just be left there as it is.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Yes a lot of the mines in Western Washington had similar abrupt endings with many artifacts left behind.

[@ShastaTodd]

The freeze frame thing is super annoying.

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Some people like it a lot, and some dont. We do our best. Thanks.

[@ThatOneGuyWithTheEye]

Why do people claim stalactites Take hundreds of thousands of years to form when there are 2 foot long ones right after the entrance that obviously took less than 100 years to form?

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

These, yeah, just over 100 years.

[@dr.c4537]

What type of mine is that

[@elusivebigfoot6562]

🤔

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

Copper

[@carebear2272]

I hear the oxygen sensor

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

I think you were hearing a camera. There is air blowing through that mine like wind with lots of O2.

[@carebear2272]

Cool, did that to, bare mt basin, Lennox creek, quartz creek, etc, scary but miss it

[@richards7073]

I'm sure nobody wants to hear this but that mine should be sealed off, that dynamite is too dangerous and someone will die someday, just by walking near it

[@ghosttownsandminesofwashington]

👍