Square Set Timbers, Mysterious Steel Box In A Large California Gold Mine

[@jimmime]

Thank you, Tom & Julie! That was a fairly good-sized mine, kind of sketchy in places, but ya made it back out alive! See ya both next Friday!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Jimmi. You're welcome, and thank you for commenting. Yes, it's a good-sized mine, and we never even got to the bottom of it. It's a bit sketchy, but that's all part of the game. 😁

[@dougshaw7128]

Very interesting and well documented. Thanks

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Doug. You're welcome, and thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@bobterry2952]

Well hello Tom and Julie ,how are my two favorite desert rats today? Thanks once again for taking me along on another great adventure. I often stand in amazement when I see the amount of back braking physical labor that was done in these mines . And to think a lot of it was done by candlelight or at best carbide light neither one very bright, it would be interesting to know just how deep that old mine went in the ground but I guess that's for another time. Well as always you two please be safe in all you do, and thanks again for taking me along for the ride. Hope to see you again soon.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Bob. Yes, the miners were some hard workers, that for sure. Just getting to some of these places is difficult, much less hauling in all the supplies, and then doing the work. I'm always a little disappointed when we can't get to the bottom of a mine. We might have to rope down that shaft sometime. Thanks for the nice comment, we appreciate it!👍😊

[@bobterry2952]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Anytime.

[@-r-495]

Held my breath once or twice. Thank you for sharing!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Mr. Cheerful. Yes, a little sketchy. You're welcome, and thank you for watching!👍😁

[@lloydbaker6988]

Thanks, Tom and Julie. Another cool mine explore today .👍

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Lloyd. Glad that you liked the explore. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@RidgeRider66]

One of your more interesting explanations. Thank you.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome and thank you for watching!👍😁

[@ralphpatrick3071]

That mine was full of chutes and ladders. I always like the still shots though out the video. Thanks, T&J!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Ralph. You're welcome! Glad that you enjoy the stills, too. There is definitely something nice about photos versus all video. 👍😁

[@davidhettesheimer3685]

Thank you, Tom and Julie that was a nice explore. Awesome looking timbers looked like a good size gold mine. 👍🍻🍺🧉⛏️⛏️

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome. David. There is probably a fair bit more to this one that we couldn't get to. Might have to rope down the shaft sometime. Thanks for watching and for the brews!👍🍺🍺🍻⛏️

[@raiderman8431]

Hey T&J, excellent, mine choice on this one! once inside, it looked pretty deceiving ! Great job, stay safe!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hey Raiderman. Glad that you liked the mine. Thanks for watching and commenting. We appreciate it!👍😁

[@Askjeffwilliams]

another fun explore and looks like so much to see down there ...hope you make it back there with ropes next time ....keep'em coming and be safe out there you two

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Jeff. Yes, a fun one. It kills me not to be able to get to the bottom of that mine. We might have to go back and rope down. Thanks for the comment, brother!👍😁

[@Askjeffwilliams]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring we have seen another Channel explore it and it has some serious depth to it so be careful

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, will do.👍

[@casedoumasr656]

Hello Tom and Julie nice to see you back watched this 2 times ladder after many more ladders lost count of level's then you all stopped and you showed more darkness down below .Do the 2 of you lay at night wondering about the areas you did not get down to because of bad ladders or lack of rope or tie offs ⛏️😟

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Case. Good to hear from you. Yes, I lay in bed at night and think I should have tried to go lower down. I might have to go back and rope down lower. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@jerryrichter4904]

thanks for sharing very cool mine

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Jerry. You're welcome and glad that you liked it!👍👍

[@karlmcgowan9375]

Julie, Tom, being house bound now, i'm so greatfull thatpeople like yourself excist THANK YOU 👍

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Karl. Sorry to hear that you're house bound, but happy to hear that you are getting some entertainment from our videos. Thank you for watching and commenting. 👍🙏😊

[@shantyshitter3163]

Awesome mine. A tad bit sketchy. Be safe.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi SS. Yes, the biggest concern for me was the groundfall. Some of those slabs don't look huge, but they can still weigh a couple hundred pounds. Thanks for watching!👍😀

[@briannave7326]

That was quite a mine, thanks for exploring it.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Brian. Glad that you liked the mine. You're welcome, and thank you for watching!👍😊

[@williamwintemberg]

Cool mine! All the timbering in the hoist area. The buried rails from an abandoned skip. It was nice you found the shaft you saw from above. Yes, the size of the mineralized vein brought it home for me. Thanks Tom and Julie!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi William. It really is a cool mine to explore with all that timbering. I had a feeling we would find where that shaft came down into the workings. Glad that you liked seeing the mineral vein. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@highdesertbill]

Great explore! Thanks for taking me along

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Bill. You're welcome. Thanks for coming along for the tour!👍😁

[@richardbeee]

Definitely to sketchy for my blood. Thanks for taking me along and sharing, though.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Richard. Yes, another sketchy mine. If you don't fall through the floor or a ladder doesn't break you are lucky. Of course a slab could fall off the back and crush you, too. Good times! Lol Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@lindarider4525]

That was rather a unique mine, looked like it was alot bigger at one time, thanks guys 😊

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Linda. I think you're right that it was bigger. We never made it to the bottom of the shaft. Then there were a couple places that were sealed off with boards. You're welcome, and thank you for watching!👍😁

[@lesleyrobbins1137]

Love to see all that timbering. It's too bad that the hoist wasn't still there. Kind of looked like a jungle gym!!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Lesley. It really does remind you of a jungle gym with all that timbering. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Tom & Julie, that was quite the explore wow, I don't think I would have been as courageous as you guys up and down those ladders lol. I agree that the box was probably a day box but why wasn't it in the explosives storage room, did someone find it locked and they tried to take it out of there ???. Thank you for sharing, much love to you both. xx 💞

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Sue. Yes, this one is a little sketchy. Not too bad, though. The box could be for the primers, so they are separated from the dynamite. It was locked, and someone had cut the hasps. You're welcome, and thank you for the nice comment as usual. 👍😊❤️

[@SueGirling68]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring yes that makes sense, thank you. Much love to you both. xx ❤

[@Ed_in_Md]

Nice mine. Lots more to I guess. Thanks for taking us along. Take care of each other and stay safe.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Ed. Yes, a fun mine to see. You're welcome and glad that you like it. You're correct. There is more to this one. Thanks for the comment!👍😊

[@mikelang8020]

I'VE PRAYED JULIE'S HEALTH IS GOOD ! AND TOUGH OLD TOM TOO 😅

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Mike. Julie has been cancer free for a couple years now. Thanks for your prayers. I'm hanging in there, too. We appreciate the comment!👍😊

[@Jake-yx7ct]

Tom Julie picked well. Ladders in pretty good condition for you to enjoy..LOL Im so amazed regarding the timber . How did they get all that wood up there for the square sets? That road leading to the mine sure was rough. Lots false flooring yikes. Thanks for doing this mine explore. Stay safe you 2.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Jake. We found some ladders! I was wondering the same about hauling things up that road. It is possible there was another road on the backside of the mountain. I didn't see it, though. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@stevetaylor9556]

Hey guys , that is a very cool / interesting one , loved it :-)

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Steve. Yes, it's a fun mine. Glad that you liked it. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@stevetaylor9556]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring HI again guys , yes , it always astonishes me the amount of work those folks put into these mines , pretty amazing 🙂

[@myfavoritemartian1]

I have been watching the timbering as you went in. The timbers are square, but it is not traditional square set timbering. It is a hodge podge of wood. Notice where many times they nail wedges under a beam to support it. Square sets have a peg top on the columns for the beams to set into and intersecting beams have one half the post width bearing and require no nails or pegs at all. You picked a great little mine! Lots of character and things to look at. Thanks guys!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're correct. It's not really true square set timbering. Glad that you enjoyed the mine. Thanks for watching and commenting!👍😁

[@DaveInLAS]

It’s like Christmas whenever I find one of your new videos in my In Box! 🙌🏼 🎅🤶

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Dave. I love to hear that. Thanks for the nice comment!👍😊

[@philrosasco5411]

Happy Friday, thanks for your explors

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Happy Friday, Phil. You're welcome, and thank you for watching!😁

[@rogers8786]

Cool mine and fun explore! My guess is that someone was working/prospecting this mine in the 1970's.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Roger. That is probably accurate. There were a couple of somewhat modern reworks of the timbering that I noticed. I think originally, it was worked in the early 1900s. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@mikelang8020]

GREAT TO SEE Y'ALL AGAIN !😅

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Mike. Thanks for watching and commenting!👍😁

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello Tom Hello Julie Thank you for this video . Your Fotos are geat they shows much more details . I like the timbersets what a amount of work the miners do. I wish you both a good new week and all the best Yours Frank Galetzka

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hello Frank. Thanks for watching the video. Yes, a lot of work went into the timbering in this one. We hope you have a good week, too!👍😁

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

Crazy mine. Someone liked throwing timber around. Not sure what they were trying to accomplish. The steel box looked to be an actual powder magazine. Built one years ago. 1/4 inch plate, 2 inches of oak, and two vents. Too heavy for even a couple of people to move. Snow on Donner today and we have rain and thunderbumpers now in the valley. Take care. dave

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi David. Yes, it's kind of a haphazard timbering plan. I'm sure there have been different eras that this has been worked and by different operators. They all seem to do things a little different from each other. We see a lot of strong boxes similar to this used for either for dynamite of blasting caps. Wow, it sounds like winter is hanging on in your area. Thanks for commenting as usual!👍😁

[@eddie9903]

Very cool mine very sketchy ladders. The photo of all those heavy-duty beams crazy! And those poor two foxes. At least they had each other at the end. Thanks for taking us along with you guys.😂

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hey Eddie. That area with the multiple beams looks like it got reinforced after the first timbers started to fail. The sketchy ladders are all part of the game. We see quite a lot of dead foxes in the mines. I think they go in to hunt rats and get lost. Thanks for commenting. Hope all is well at the park!👍🎸

[@Donald-tr5gl]

Thumbs up to another great explore👍

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Donald. Thanks for watching and for the thumbs up!👌😊

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Another great video.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Brad!😁

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

Wow the YT AI Bot Notified Me of your latest video, Thanks Bot-Buddy!. Looks more like Nickel Ore to me but Gold can occur in Gold-niccolite. 20:09 Blasting Cap Magazine Federally Required in all Mines that worked after 9/11, it was a funky Law in that you had to have Blasting Caps Locked in a Blast-Proof Magazine (Box) also called a "Cap Well" 24/7 but you could just have your Powder (TNT) sitting in your Cabin or even under your bed like I did or elsewhere in the Mine in a locked or even an unlocked room. go figure? 22:08 Niccolite also called Nickeline. Thank You both for yet another Fun Explore Video.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi TBI. Glad that you're getting notifications again. Thanks for the info on the box and the mineral vein. That box was older than 9/11, but I guess some of the old timers were safety conscious. We always appreciate you sharing your mine knowledge. 👍😁⛏️

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

I imagine that it is a Cap Well as they typically line them with non sparking materials like Plywood and thinking back on the subject now that my half brain cell kicked in and I remembered that the Cap Well Magazine clause went into effect in the late 1980's as part of the Federal Mine Safety Act.@@TomandJulieMineExploring

[@mineadventures7938]

very different mine, thanks for sharing . i am always amazed how you keep finding mines to see

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hey Ken. Yes, the mine workings are not quite the usual configuration. As you know, we spend a lot of time in the field and also a lot of time is spent doing research to find these places. Just like you do. Thanks for watching!👍😁⛏️

[@jimmystockdale7555]

That was a great mine I really liked all the timbering. It was bad looking in places but y'all did a great job. Did you have anything that would tell you how deep the mine used to go? Y'all enjoy stay safe and bless you both

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Jimmy. The timbering hete is pretty neat to see. I don't know how deep the shaft is. We might have to go back and rope down it. Thanks for watching and for the blessing. We hope you are doing well. 👍🙏😊

[@vlakyotrokovice]

Nice day. I was a bit worried about you, you are sensible, there is no need to take risks. Good health, good luck and no accidents. I like to follow you, I have a subscription. Karel 😊 👍 You have nice mines...

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Karel. You are correct. There is no need to get hurt or killed over a mine explore. Thanks for subscribing and following us. We appreciate it!👍👍

[@pmae9010]

Talk about chutes and ladders, wow. '

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Mick. Yes, there are lots of ladders and walking the planks in this one. Thanks for watching. It's always good to hear from you.👍😁

[@JimCockerham]

Wow! All that timber! I can't imagine how they built all that in there!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Jim. Yes, there is a good bit of timbering in this one. I'm guessing it's been worked in a few different eras. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@robertlyman9789]

Wow!what a Jeep shot! Next will be Tom/Julie at Moab 😂

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha, no thanks to Moab. I call it mobbed instead of Moab. I'll watch the crawlers from my easy chair. That way, I don't have to fix the Jeep every other week. Thanks for the comment, Robert!🚙😆

[@peterwaroblak166]

Random rock? yikes, I'd hate to be down there during an earthquake. I'm always amazed at those big timbers being moved then cut to fit.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Peter. Yes, the mine timbering is always amazing. Lots of groundfall in the mine which is very dangerous. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@dwaynesimons-d2c]

Thanks T&J. Julie doing a helmet test.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Dwayne. Haha, yes, she did. Usually, it's me cracking my head on something, so that was a nice change. Thanks for commenting!👍😁

[@putteslaintxtbks5166]

Somethings looked early 1900's like the insulators, but some more like maybe 1960's? Always hate seeing the faults floors, but at least it looked like a nice dry mine. Back from Mexico? Thanks for taking us along!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Puttsla. I think that is correct. Originally worked in the very early 1900s and reworked off and on until the 1960s or 70s. Yes, we're back from Mexico. We still haven't made it home to Oregon. Another couple weeks, and we'll be home. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

5:00 Those "clamps" are interesting... never have seen that before 21:10 I think that is what they call a "Day Box", where they keep the dynamite needed for the day.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, those were some big U bolts that the blacksmith made. They must have had a problem with that headframe the way it was reworked. Yes, the big box is either a day box for smaller amounts of dynamite or for the blasting caps to keep them separate from the explosives. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Ah yes, could have also been used to keep blasting caps safe/secure.

[@richardwarnock2789]

Did see that climbing rope going down maybe be long to that Jacket's owner

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha, maybe that is what's going on, Richard.😆

[@brianmarywapshott2593]

Yeppers another ripper Video you two and just keep them coming, you know looking at all the timber in that one mine makes you wonder how much was used in all the Californian mines y ??, ok, take care and catch ya Cheers

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Brian and Mary. Glad that you enjoyed the explore. There was a whole section of the timber industry that supplied prime timber to the mines. I believe it mostly came from the mighty Sierra Nevada. There is a fair amount of information available on the subject. We still see timbers that you'll never see for sale again. 10"x14"x24' is one of the bigger boards that I've seen. Thanks for the comment! Cheers 🍻

[@davidsnider1703]

Wow all the wood products in that mine , must of been crazy building it all I imagine. Wish there was ways of seeing where the shaft dropped to. Mayb a camera on a rope or something

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi David. I'm always a little disappointed when I don't get to the bottom of the mine. It might be possible, but I didn't see a way from where we were. I guess you could rope down the shaft. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@davidsnider1703]

@TomandJulieMineExploring yeah thar would be a long climb back out.

[@brucelester6918]

Yikes! You 2 really know how to get my heart going.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Bruce. This one was a little sketchy but not too bad. I think sometimes it looks worse in the video. Thanks for watching!✌️⛏️

[@HikeCamp]

Looks like they checked everywhere for that gold. Everywhere.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

I think you're right, Max. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@alprince4290]

Quite a video! Thank you again for all the hard work.. One could spend a couple of days exploring that mine, provided you could successfully navigate all the MANY hazards. How do you guys check the structural integrity of those boards/floors over those open stopes BEFORE finding out in the middle that they might not hold your weight?

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Al. You're welcome, and we're glad that you enjoyed the video. You could definitely spend some time exploring this place. When it comes to trusting bridges over open drops, you just have to use your best judgment by first visually inspecting things and then carefully testing them with your body weight. Keep in mind that most of the floors in mines were built to have full ore cars weighing several hundred pounds running on them. Thanks for the comment!⛏️✌️

[@mundobravo6066]

going in deep ... hold my beer , watch this

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hey Ed. Good to hear from you. Hope all is well with you guys. You should come mine exploring if you're in the neighborhood. Haha👍😆

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

I wonder if the foxes were mates and died together?

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Dave!😁

[@tonyidle7813]

thank-you for a great video. I watch GLYS channel also, he talks real highly of you guys. are you back to doing every week again, I hope so.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Tony. That's nice of Gly to speak highly of us. We're trying to go back to every week, at least for now. We'll see how it goes. It's a grind to put out that many videos. Thanks for the nice comment!👍😊

[@yowser8780]

Think the had some high-value minerals in there... spent lots of effort and money to get them out.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, it seems like they worked this mine in all directions. Gold will make people do some crazy stuff to find it. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@ORYNDA1]

Howdy Dodee Tom & Julie! Been a while since I last said Hi and I see that your still pushing the boundary between dangerous and downright deadly. Wanted to try something new and spent nearly a half a year in the hospital. If I wasn't getting out I was going back in. Anyway in remission so thats cool. By the way Had a few watching your shows with me while in the hospital. Take care be safe, Rik

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Rik. I'm sorry to hear about your health issues and all that hospital time, but I'm glad to hear that you're in remission. Yes, we are still at the mine exploring gig. Thanks for watching and getting the hospital crew watching, too. We appreciate it. 🙏👍❤️

[@Dave_9547]

Definitely a large mine, would be interesting if your research told what minerals the miners were after. The vein you showed us looked like gold bearing quartz, but not a geologist. Glad you decided not to continue down that one adit, pretty sketchy with lots of rock slabbing off.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Dave. I hesitate to get into the identification of the minerals because I'm not a geologist. I follow a couple of geology pages, and I always get a kick out of the arguments or differences of opinions when someone posts a photo of a rock and asks for it to be identified. They hardly ever agree. This is reported to be a gold mine. Yes, the groundfall was getting worse as we went down that one adit. I didn't want a slab to crush poor Julie. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@vidzilla1]

There’s a great video. Thanks for sharing. I never realize that you were a fellow Oregonian. What city if you don’t mind me asking

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks for the nice comment. I know I'm subbed to your mine hunter channel as well as this one. Yes, we have a base in Central Oregon not too far from Bend, although please don't mistake me for a Bendite because I am definitely not. How about you, where do you stay. I think you go out with Graham occasionally if I'm not mistaken. Catch ya later!👍😁

[@vidzilla1]

I’m in Medford, Going out tomorrow east of John Day your neck of the woods for a couple of days. ⚒️🔦

[@larry785]

At the very bottom is a brand new pair of jeans!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Don't even say that, Larry. I lay awake at night enough already thinking about what might be down these shafts. 😆

[@michaelkaiser4674]

5x5

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Michael.😁

[@TheRockgremlin]

*"This is too sketchy"* -- I was unaware that you were familiar with that term. I really liked the dueling dead foxes, they looked straight out of A Nightmare Before Christmas. Just out of curiosity, why does Julie sometimes wear a face mask. Was this mine particularly dusty?

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi RG. Oh yes, things can get too sketchy for me. I usually go by my gut feeling rather than the way something looks. I've belly crawled through some collapsed areas of mines that would seem to most people like a crazy thing to do. I've also passed on things that don't look so bad but give you a bad gut feeling. Julie sometimes wears a mask for dust but also had some lung problems from the after effects of radiation treatments for breast cancer. The radiation inadvertently hits your lung in order to treat the breast. She is fine now, thanks for asking.😄

[@JohnCampbell-sl5nx]

Tom & Julie ! That wasn't a mine explore it was a forest, I don't think I've ever saw so much timber , it's a wonder that a salvage gang haven't been in to strip the mine, with wood being so expensive ,PS. your washing machine must be going 24,-7 at home, try getting sponsorship from a launderette.💦🌀

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi John. There is a lot of timber in this one. The trouble is that it would be too dangerous to remove it. The mine would probably collapse. Yes, we do a fair bit of laundry. It's a very dirty hobby. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@JohnCampbell-sl5nx]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Tom your welcome.

[@LawnMower-hu9pw]

Primitive road I will take your word for it before I do not see a road but a lot of things the camera just doesn't capture does it

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Well, it was a road 100 plus years ago. I didn't show a lot of the hike, but there were a couple of road walls higher up. Thanks for watching!👍😁

[@standingbear998]

not ancient

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're right, not ancient. That is just a figure of speech more than a hard fact. Thanks for your input!👍