Noonday Mine Exploration - Tecopa, California (Part Two)

This video continues our exploration of the large Noonday lead/silver mine near Tecopa, California the way it was on 3-31-2019. In the first segment we examined the 200' main working level and the winze shaft. In part two we examine the main incline shaft, the 300' level and the 100' level.
The Noonday mine dates back to 1875 and has three main levels; 100', 200' and 300'. The main incline shaft is 400' long and driven on a 45° angle. The 200' level is an 1800' long tunnel that connected the Grant Mine to the Noonday by way of a trestle and rail lines. There is also a 600' plus winze shaft starting on the 200' level. The winze has been stoped down to 550'.
Early assay reports were 3oz. silver and 5% lead per ton and later reports were as high as 8-10 oz. silver and 15% lead per ton. The minerals occur in Noonday Dolomite, the same vein as the nearby Gunsite Mine.

[@mechanicman8687]

Yeah. Thanks for your channel. I really enjoy exploring with you two. I wish you both health and happiness. Looking forward for the next adventure Tehachapi

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks for all the support you've been giving us by watching our videos lately. We're glad that you enjoy them and really appreciate you!

[@unrulyjulie4382]

I'm always impressed with how neatly gobbing is stacked.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You are right, they do a pretty nice job. I would guess they don't want it to fall over and make more work putting it back up. Thanks for the comment, Julie.

[@kyote3272]

Tom. Your a lucky man

[@Sundance54]

Kool Stuff, and close to home the Hendertucky area 😎👍

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha, I guess so. Glad you liked it, Scott!

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Another great adventure from our two intrepid explorers Tom and Dusty...errr...Julie...thanks for sharing the adventure...Chutes n Ladders it is!!!...atb...woods

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha I'm calling her Dusty from now on. Lots of chutes and ladders...too many to count. Thanks for the comment, woods. We always appreciate it.

[@Jake-yx7ct]

Tom you always seem to find the dynamite. Such luck. there were clear tunnels for you to walk and for a mine that old is a mazing. Thanks for you and Julie sharing your exploration.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

We do run across a fair amount of dynamite. The old dry desert mines like the Noonday seem like they would last forever. Nothing ever rots so the timbering stays in place and supports the drifts for many years. Thanks, Jacob!

[@ronniecardy]

Love these mines. Don't know what I like the best. Love seeing the more bins and wonder how they put so much wood in the shafts that go up. Thanks to the both of you for putting these on lins for all to see. I know it takes a lot of time to edit these videos

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

This is a fun one to explore. Big mine with lots of timbering. It is a lot of work making these videos as you say. Thanks for watching, Ronnie!

[@AbandonedMines11]

OK - I’m trying to keep things straight here. It’s been about eight or nine years since I was last at the Noonday Mine so my memories are hazy. I remember two inclined shafts. One is inside the main tunnel which I think you showed in part one. We went down that one to where it kind of bottomed-out and was sort of backfilled. It does continue onward which we learned from other explorers - you just have to dig through that rubble. The other inclined shaft that I remember started outside, and that is what this video starts with. We only went down that one to the first level that takes you into the mine proper. Never did continue down the rest of that inclined shaft, so I have always wondered where it led to. I’m about to watch Part two, so I guess I’ll find out!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hey Frank, It goes to the lower level. There is also one more level below where we went but according to my map of the mine it is a fairly limited working. The upper level is pretty cool, too. Thanks for watching and commenting...I hope you enjoy seeing it again after so long.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Tom Wigren Good to know!

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

FRANK ! ! ! Hey bud, hope all is well.

[@bobpace5464]

That was a nice video he did good work Tom!! Take care Stay safe.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

This is a fun old mine to explore. Thanks for watching, Bob!

[@Robert-qt9lg]

Excellent might be the biggest or certainly one of the biggest mines I've seen with you guys I haven't watched all of your vids but alot I was expecting to see more dynamite boxes but they probably burned that on cold nights

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Robert. This one gets a few visitors so not any nice boxes left in it. It is a good sized mine, not the biggest that we've been in. Here is a link to part one of a huge tungsten mine we explored. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKCrmIdqqZufnrM Thanks for the comment, Robert!👍👍

[@BobElsberry]

Really like your site. Many hours of enjoyment. Couple of questions, what are the colored ribbons hanging down in many of the mines and what is the flouresant paint in the mines? Good luck exploring and be safe...

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Glad that you are enjoying our channel. The ribbons and paint are both used to mark locations where the mine surveyors and assessors have taken samples and marked the remaining ore bodies. Thanks for the comment!👍😄

[@PidasianHippie]

I meant to ask you on the last video if you did the music on these videos. I really enjoyed it. Some of these places look pretty sketchy where you have to walk across a board over a gaping hole.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, I did, and I'm happy that you enjoyed it. I've made all the music I've ever used in my videos, for better or worse, except the live band recordings. Julie always has me go on the boards first so if it holds me she knows she's safe. Thanks, P-Daz.

[@PidasianHippie]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Hahahaha! What is she going to do if it doesn't hold you? 🤣

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

@@PidasianHippie find another husband.

[@PidasianHippie]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Hahaha! I am sure that would not be her preference.

[@royreynolds108]

I just watched Part 1 & Part 2. I went onto Google Earth and followed the fault line from the Noonday all the way to the War Eagle Mine; the formation is easy to spot that connects the mines.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, they are all on the same fault, or ore vein, and over to the nearby Gunsight Mine as well. Those are all fun mines to explore. Thanks for the comment, Roy!

[@RENunez-sd6ov]

That old wood outside would be great to build a nice shed in the backyard.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

The timbers in these desert mines are usually in fantastic shape. Not rotten at all in many cases. It's probably cut from old growth trees and you are correct when you say it could be repurposed into something nice. Thanks, Ren!

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

This mine system is huge. I wonder how long it would take to clear the muck from the collapses? Thanks for filming this and sharing!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

This whole area is mine central. Grant, War Eagle, and Colombia mines are all nearby. They are on the same lead silver deposit that the mines in the Gunsight Mine area are on. They are all fun, dirty old mines to explore which many people do. Thanks, Jeremy.

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring your very welcome!

[@royreyes74]

Thank you

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

This is a fun one. Thanks for watching, Roy!

[@paulson6270]

Y'all scare me to death. So intersting tho. So all those timbers are suppose to hold that rock up? Y'all stay safe.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, the timbers support the mine in places that need it. It can be a little scary if you're not used to it. Thanks for the comment, Dianna!

[@paulson6270]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Thanks for answering my question.

[@HikeCamp]

Don't think I would want to be down there during an earthquake... but then I would not be down there at all...lol

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

I think like that too, Max. On the other hand I've heard from some people that inside a sturdy mine is one of the safest places to be during an earthquake. I'm not convinced about that though.

[@rogerc7960]

At midday does the sun shine down the shaft? 🌞👀

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Good question. This is an inclined shaft. I suppose while theoretically possible it's unlikely the sun would line up properly to shine down the shaft. You would have to spend some days, or even months, observing the different sun angles at different times to really know. Thanks for the interesting question, Roger.

[@kyote3272]

Yep your a lucky man.a partner that gos with you

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, I'm lucky to have a good partner.

[@Edgeofeof]

Tom, nice riffs at the beginning of the video. Dig it! 👍

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Eric. Glad that I can entertain you.👍😁

[@michaelrietz9220]

tom i wish i can join you explore mine i use too do mineing explore as well i did had a mineing claim in patagonia az

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Maybe someday. Where are you?

[@terrykaracostas1785]

No gold sampling are silver

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

No sampling just exploring.

[@jdean1851]

2 THUMBZZUPP" Xlnt. Music!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, J Dean!