Temple Mountain...Old Uranium Mine District

Temple Mountain is an old uranium mining district near Goblin Valley, Utah in the San Rafael Swell area. It's one of my favorite places to explore in the area and look for radioactive rocks. The area has miles of old mining trails that are perfect for off-road exploring and camping. All of the mines in the area are sealed up or gated. Most of the mines are abandoned and offer an interesting look into the areas past.
If you are looking for some uranium ore check out uraniumstore.com
Camera used: Sony A7S3
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Lens used: Sony 16-35mm f2.8
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Drone used: DJI Air 2S
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Music is from Musicbed
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#Utah #uranium #radioactive #hiking

[@richardabernathy3436]

This is so cool, I explored that area awhile ago and Never thought of shining a black light on that entire area, Thanks for sharing that. My grandfather Jess Abernathy is the one who found this mineral and we was referred to it as abernathyite. He found it while working in the uranium mines in at temple mountain. He was an operator there. There is an article about him in one of the time life magazine too. He passed away when my dad was young and my dad has passed too so I love finding more info about things like this.

[@louistournas120]

That's cool. Nature is an interesting laboratory that forms various chemicals.

[@q1o2]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[@astrobouncer487]

Very neat. Gotta wonder if the radiation had a part in his passing away?

[@permanentmarkerone]

Out of curiosity: What are you doing with your life Senor Abernatty ?

[@richardabernathy3436]

15 years Fracking in the oilfield for Halliburton and 22 years construction Framing houses. if you google up Abernathyite you will find that it was found in the Temple Mountains by my Grandfather Jess Abernathy

[@samwise1790]

Geologist to chime in about the rock. If it's what I think it is, it's the Monitor Butte member (a relatively thin, bleached-light colored sandstone layer) of the Chinle Formation (you were close on the name, its usually pronounced chin-lee or chin-lay depending on who you talk to). So another interesting thing about uranium deposits found in the US Southwest/colorado plateau, is that the deposits are generally regarded as "Roll-Front" deposits, so the uranium was carried in fluids of a certain oxidation state (so like a 'front' of oxidation rolled through the rocks), which flowed through possibly more permeable layers some time in the geologic past. As the uranium-bearing fluid flowed through the rock, it encountered different oxidation conditions which caused the uranium to precipitate out of the solution. Another interesting tidbit is that often high grade ore is encountered within fossil wood or bones, as they probably served as nucleation points. The fluid which flowed through these rocks is also thought to have caused the 'bleaching' of these rocks, the removal of hematite pigment which is pervasive and quite characteristic of formations like the Chinle. Whenever I encounter eocene or older rocks in the SW and find wood or bone fossils, I often wish I had a geiger counter with me to see if they are uranium mineralized. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[@louistournas120]

It makes sense since how else would these uranium compounds end up with petrified wood and other fossils. Something must have caused the uranium compound to dissolve, whatever the original compound was, it comes to a new location and it crystalizes. Sort of how CO2 enriched water is acidic and dissolves CaCO3 by converting it to Ca(HCO3)2, and at a different location, it converts back to CaCO3 and releases CO2 into the air.

[@bryancherry9253]

the roll-fronts deposits are common in the Salt-Wash Member of the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic). The host rock here is the Moss Back (?) member of the Chinle Formation. (Triassic). IIRC the Moss is the basal member of the Chinle and lies a top the Moenkopi. One of the dullest jobs I ever had was sitting rigs while they drilled through the Wingate Sandstone. Insanely homogeneous sand. Drilled fast though. Usually.

[@samwise1790]

@@bryancherry9253 awesome, thanks for the clarifications! Yeah, ive taught field camps in NM and CO where the Morrison is exposed in multiple field areas, bearing fossils in the salt wash and brushy basin mbrs. Usually see the upper chinle in or near the field mapping areas. Always forget to bring a counter with me to check. The roll fronts in the NM-rio grande area even extend to the eocene pre rift sed units, though U enrichment is generally low and uneconomical that far East. My gf did her MS in Moab looking at clay alteration in units, including the Wingate, but I never got to go to the field with her so I hope to check it out on a fun trip in the future. Most of what she had was probably roll front, but seemingly only Cu-Mn-Fe minerals present.

[@migs7220]

I have increased my knowledge of geology.

[@johnshackelford6965]

The military use dirt from Adack Alaska base for training & golf course Port Hueneme CA. Decontamination clorox high strength & water.

[@jreid641]

That picture inside that mine with the stuff glowing green was nothing short of spectacular!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks...Temple Mtn has some magical scenes.

[@WarnerKov]

Dang it, Drew… you owe me a full days worth of work at my job. I stumbled across your videos and was dumbfounded by the incredible documentary like quality of them- …and then ended up binge watching a dozen or so, and got very little work done today! >_< Keep up the amazing work!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

That’s a pretty good compliment…thanks.

[@gustavonilson]

This video should have 1000x more views. The drone air images, the night pictures, the effort you've put to produce this is nothing short of a natgeo documentary. The picture at 11:39 then? Breathtaking! Congrats

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@jorgefierro3096]

Lady gaga has over 2 billion views This explains why ww3 is coming soon . Enjoy my friend.

[@Happyfortunestudio]

Agreed love this type of content

[@holdenmatthews-cochran2400]

you are probably the only youtuber I know that takes a practical interest in radioactive things. Thank you so much! I kinda just binged like 80% of your videos lol

[@spannaspinna]

Check out bionerd

[@dennisveazey4469]

...and Kyle Hill I believe??

[@dennisveazey4469]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5yWf32OfLh8f6M

[@dennisveazey4469]

His series, "Half Life Histories" is really good!

[@kjisnot]

My old neighbor (now dead) was retired geologist. He mentioned he worked for the government back in the 1940s. They would fly him around AZ, NV, UT in a small plane looking for uranium. He said it was pretty easy to spot if you knew where to look. He looked for round yellow spots on the ground that were usually good deposits.

[@tomc8157]

That's how ore deposits are found in the game Space Engineers. Guess that's why they implemented that, from actual science.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

The people doing rim flying looking for uranium deposits used a scintillator to detect the increase in gamma radiation.

[@lindabriggs5118]

I miss that area of Utah. It's so beautiful. I lived there for about 18 years. That was back in the 1980's and 1990's. I used to take my kids to adventure around these areas. Thank you for the drone shots and the other things you showed. Oh, you should know that that steel structure is called a head frame. It would have hauled ore out from inside the mine usually. But in this case, it was used to core the underlying strata.

[@BallisticSollution]

You got my sub after I watched the Trinity test site video. Love this kind of content, I could sit back and watch it for hours. Mine exploration, adventuring, metal detecting and everything in between, love this kind of stuff. Thanks for the great videos and all the great intelligent content!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem, glad you are enjoying it.

[@LordFalconsword]

So glad I found your channel. As an SF author, this stuff is pure gold. It doesn't hurt that your presentation is more like what you find in a channel with 100k+ subscribers. I'll spread the word, hopefully we'll get you a silver plaque.

[@bstar777777]

I drove through the length of Temple Mountain Road in 2002. I was trying to get to Goblin Valley and missed the turn. I looked on the map with my brother (much further along) and saw that "Temple Mountain Road" connected- perfect shortcut. That "shortcut" turned into one of the most exhilarating drives I've ever been on. We were in a tiny Honda Insight (2001 model) with almost no supplies. When we were about half way through, we realized that we were kind of screwed if something happened. It was summer and over 100*. The whole ride was extremely tense, but the wildlife and views we experienced was insane... a herd of elk ran beside my car, we saw rams, coyotes... just incredible. So much life in the desert. We drove past Euler mine, but didn't investigate. My brother and I got some insanely beautiful pictures. We did make it to Goblin Valley, but it was a miracle that we didn't get lost, it's a maze back there. Very dumb decision for a couple 20-somethings, but that place left such an impression on me. I definitely want to go back better prepared.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Temple Mountain is one of my favorite places to explore. It’s kind of amazing that it isn’t a national park.

[@bstar777777]

@@RadioactiveDrew I completely agree. Of all the places I've been (almost every US state and Canadian Provence), this is the one place I would like to visit again the most. Anyway, fantastic channel, I'm catching up on your videos now :).

[@RadioactiveDrew]

There is so much to see there. I’ve been coming to the Temple Mtn / San Rafael Swell for the last 5 years and it always an adventure.

[@tonykennedy9811]

Your cinematography and editing is first class ! 👏❤️

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@every56days]

Glad I jumped on here at 13k. When you’re at 13m, I’ll be able to say “I knew him back when…” amazing work dude. Thank you.

[@sdmoparmaninsd6713]

Certainly an underrated channel

[@stankythecat6735]

Utah is so frigging beautiful. It’s truly a jewel .

[@mikeday62]

We camped near Temple mountain a few times in the '80s and '90s. Back then the tunnels were wide open. I walked a short distance into one of them one day. I was amazed at how wide and tall the opening was way inside there.

[@charleschidsey2831]

Great drone footage and videography in general. The montage of camera angles capturing your hike up to the mine entrance was quite professional. Keep up the great work! All success to you in 2023 and beyond.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@Ellis1127]

This was an awesome video, I had to watch since you mentioned it in other videos. I liked the night video and photography. This is very educational. I miss hiking Utah.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Temple Mountain is one of my favorite places to explore. That whole area could be made a national park…but hopefully it never becomes one. Way more freedoms without it being one.

[@photographyhouse1419]

Thank you Mr drew, I love rocks from south of England 😊

[@edwardsp1916]

Great video, very informative. I was amazed too with the rock formation at 12:02 as the large rock on the top seems to ignore gravity!

[@ahtistedatomic2637]

The shot capturing uranium glowing under UV is stunning.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks, it was a shot I had been wanting to get for a long time after finding this location.

[@NJPurling]

Before you switched on the black light the rock wall had a black tinge. Is that the high grade ore you were mentioning?

[@zr7699]

Dude! I wanna say thanks, that taught me things I can't believe I didn't know. YOU ROCK!

[@ritchieblackmore2711]

Wow drew my friend everything is glowing at night....thanks and another Great uranium mine video...

[@dustbowlhammer7119]

Awesome! Love seeing others that appreciate the beauty of the desert. Also love the history.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Yeah this area has some good history and the rock formation are beautiful.

[@dzen1209]

Oh man... That's absolutely amazing video. I enjoyed every second of it. Thanks for this work!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@michaeldeleted]

Epic journey. Excellent cinematography

[@acrinsd]

Thank you for sharing this. My Grandfather mined Uranium for the government in Nevada in the 1950s. I can imagine that where he mined looked very similar to where you were. Very cool!

[@southernscientist5439]

Absolutely stunning man…this place, earth, is so beautiful. I find myself at a loss for words. Ty for putting this together 🙏🏻

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem...glad you enjoyed it.

[@lyfzgoodgarage826]

One of the coolest things I’ve ever watched thank you sir

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It’s a very cool place to explore. I keep going back because I keep finding more.

[@aramirez8427]

Wow..that is amazing.

[@jfobear1953]

I’ve certainly learned from your videos Drew. Thank you! Your drone shots are also enjoyable.

[@jakedeloney370]

Great content, great aerial shots. Thanks for bringing a Geiger counter 👍

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem. Glad you liked it.

[@woodsmaneh952]

This is great! Honestly I couldn’t go looking around those mines at night, I’d spook myself and bee-line right for the truck!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It does get a bit spooky sometimes out there at night by yourself. Having a good light helps a lot…at least for me.

[@markazcpa3]

So cool, well done. I hope they are showing this in schools.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

That would be cool.

[@mikewilson5063]

Drew thank you for the video my wife and I are always looking for new places to explore . Looking forward to some of your other videos. thanks to all the others that contributed with great comments.

[@JoelGrant-ie4ly]

I really enjoyed this video. The musical choice was excellent.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. Choosing music for these videos is about a quarter of the process.

[@timl9495]

Awesome video ! We camp there every so often. Never thought about bringing a black light. Beautiful pictures. Back 30 years ago me and my sons used to go in some mines near Mercur. Brought out some very nice stalactites !

[@allezvenga7617]

Thanks for your sharing

[@alberthodge631]

Radioactive Drew, now that is a Great Name.

[@markwilliams5654]

You have good energy thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@RevMikeBlack]

Wow. Your opening drone video is stunning!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@TheXone7]

This was an amazing documentary!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. I might do a more in depth video in the future. Its a very cool place to visit and one of my favorite.

[@AustralLabs]

The poetry of opening part is the best I ever saw here

[@jamesmccourt9782]

Very very cool! I like the mood where you are making this journey on your own.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. There is something very peaceful about being out there alone.

[@halcyondaystunes]

Wow! What an awesome video, Drew 😊 The visuals, the music and your narration. Loved it. I've found that after a hard day at work I'm watching your videos to chill to. This is my fave so far. Brilliant 👍

[@purplesky7893]

I don't know how this channel doesn't have a million plus subs

[@RadioactiveDrew]

The channel gets a little bigger everyday. Would be pretty cool to get to one million subs.

[@fabiocl123]

Thank you for the video, I went to Goblin Valley State Park about 2 years ago and didn't have any idea about this mines!!! Really cool!

[@eatcommies1375]

Bedrock Colorado is one of my favorite places to go exploring old mining history, Cool Video 👍

[@Roen265]

Well done on the great video and keep up the good work!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. I always try and make the next one better than the last.

[@qo2rj]

Great video! Love that part of Utah.

[@riconaka]

I really enjoyed your video! Learned a lot!

[@weirdmeisterinc]

great scenery and cool video!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Its a very beautiful area.

[@StephenSternGoth]

Very nice thank you for sharing

[@Gitbizy]

Great video. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks for watching and letting me know you liked it.

[@Mikishots]

Oh man. That opening sequence was UNREAL. A beautifully-made video, interesting topic and very informative. Subscribed.

[@shad.baksh1]

Thanks for showing…

[@bmay81]

I have the Uranium Fever song stuck in my head from this 😂

[@RBTrujillo1]

I absolutely loved this video! The video is constructed with its content very well and displayed extremely well! The drone along with the musical score is fantastic! Job well-done sir! Well done!

[@leebrady6326]

Beautiful pics and video, thanks for the awesome information..

[@devlrn906]

Appreciate your effort...

[@chrisduden7382]

Beautifully presented Drew

[@doxielain2231]

That long exposure shot is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

No problem. I like how that shot turned out as well.

[@Ronke01]

Wow, that still from inside the mine all glowing up was pretty!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. I use it as my wallpaper on my phone.

[@RHEC1776]

That's super cool

[@ccjensen4670]

In 1952 I was six years old and in the summer would camp with my dad and my mom's cousin at several horizontal shaft mines and one vehicle shaft..they held the claim to the Rio Algum min 5:12 e site near Moab...my dad gave his share away in 1972..the rest is history...biggest strike on the Western slope..17 years 24/7 and mill for entire Western slope of the Rockies was built there...250 people lost their jobs when it was abandoned..while still producing ore...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

[@stevengill1736]

Very cool photography! Imagine what the uranium rush must have been like in the 40s and 50s....

[@RadioactiveDrew]

This area must have been crazy back then. From old photos it seems like there was a small townsite.

[@joemurphy5769]

Very interesting!

[@cryptonymus]

Great content, and filming.

[@DesertRatExploration]

San Rafael Swell. Beautiful.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

One of my favorite areas to explore.

[@flyfisher530]

Great story telling and drone work, just subscribed!

[@neilfoster814]

I came here after seeing the Trinity test site video. This one was pretty awesome too, loving the amazing landscape. Subbed! Best wishes from England. ☢️☢️

[@LegacyVision.]

Love the night camera

[@jeromereed1097]

Really cool video! I love exploring southern Utah and cant wait to get back. My only experience with a uranium mine was on a hike near Moab to see Morning Glory Natural Bridge. There was a small uranium mine along the trail.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

There are loads of uranium mines in that area.

[@Playrough_Havoc]

Love the Minecraftesque music it’s so peaceful

[@riverlaw]

Very nice drone work.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. The Air 2S makes it pretty easy.

[@melvinmccoy9830]

Looks like a great place to explore. There are amazing places in our country that people just don't know about. Thanks

[@RadioactiveDrew]

I totally agree. Lots of things people miss.

[@andyroo3022]

At 11.40 With the black light looking in at the mine system is such a great image. I have a small piece of Autunite, it looks like book pages and it glows green like this, Pretty safe kept in a clear display case in a cabinet, any dust from this mineral breathed in would be bad. The landscape is a real badlands spooky area, it looks so old and weathered.

[@reginaldhorkyiiregorreggie1559]

I can't believe this guy isn't more popular. I just might have to drive up there some day to add to my rock and mineral collection. the hottest rock I've found in Arizona so far 500-600 counts per minute. I still don't know exactly what it is. it's either samarskite or columbite- tantalite. in a road cut pegmatite.

[@Xardueth]

What a fantastic video, you have taught me a lot about antonite. I have your image of the antonite cave as my desktop wallpaper now :)

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It is a nice picture.

[@Rick.1904]

Awesome footage and presentation.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@offshack]

Careful driving around on those trails out there or you'll be a KZbin cross-over video with my other favorite Southwest US KZbin channel, Matts OffRoad Recovery ;) The mine you poked the blacklight in and took a picture of was absolutely amazing. What I wouldn't give to see that with my own eyes - stunning!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It’s one of the magical places out there that’s for sure. I love watching Matt’s Off-road Recovery.

[@tomas2810]

Trail Mater is a Moab based YT channel for recoveries.

[@Willppyro]

@@RadioactiveDrew thought you were gonna say a Mr.Ballen video haha

[@FloydMaxwell]

You make cool videos, Drew. Thank you.

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Glad you enjoy them.

[@muddytiresclub4264]

You do awesome video, post production is on point, excellent content

[@wyckoffcruzio]

Superlative video!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks. It’s an amazing place to visit.

[@smol_yote]

On a rare occasion with the company I work with, we’ve had to do ground samples of mines like this all over Utah. It’s some of the weirdest experiences, it feels Barron driving the dump truck up those dirt roads all day, helping hand shovel dirt. And maybe occasionally taking souvenirs from abandoned vehicles if you don’t get caught

[@Strippinggears]

Amazing video what song you used I really enjoyed it.

[@KINGIBEXX]

I would like to know the name of the song as well

[@christophertiredofbs8514]

Hey man I really enjoy your videos thank you from Massachusetts

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Glad you enjoy them...I hope to make my way out to Massachusetts one day.

[@teotwaki]

I was in Goblin Valley a couple of times recently. I also visited that site at 15:16 with the steel hoist tower. While out there I met the authors of a couple of neat off road reference books ; Ed and Janice Helmick "San Rafael Swell Off Road" and "Discover Nine Mile Canyon".

[@ADRIAN_EXPLORES_NEW_MEXICO]

This was an awesome video. You earned my subscription. Stay safe

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Glad you enjoyed it. I'll have some more mine videos this spring.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Very interesting 💯⚛👍

[@AuroraLex]

Beautifully shot video

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks…it’s a beautiful area.

[@lucamartini9182]

What a place!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

It an amazing place to camp and explore.

[@LasVegas68]

Besides the video itself being great! Oh just being out there pretty much alone without crowds of people and the sounds of Urban noise. Definitely envious!!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

That definitely adds to the beauty of this area.

[@MegaSilverStacker]

Hello Drew! New friendly from CO. Here. Digging your content. Really liked this video. Good lord those cores were frigging huge! Amazing

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Those cores are the biggest I’ve ever seen. I’m sure they were more for sinking a shaft down or for air flow.

[@waynespeedy859]

Love the music you use!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@waynespeedy859]

@@RadioactiveDrew Your videos start off with a really nice cinematic feel, so different from other explore videos. love it

[@BruteClaw]

Great video on the area. Growing up my parents would take us out in that area just about every weekend. And we were able to explore that 1st portal you looked at. There was not even a gate back then. And we found a lot of interesting things to look at. I don't know if it was that portal or one of the other ones in that area (Been over 30 years at this point). But we found a blast pattern still loaded and ready to fire. Needless to say, we got out of there as fast as we could. Also while in the Temple Mountain area we found some nice specimens of petrified wood that we decided to take home with us. And by setting a 35mm camera on top of the samples, we discovered that they were radioactive samples. Those ended up outside in the front garden after that.

[@PATCHEZinSPACE]

the camera skills!!!! the quality is insane! nice work subbed fooo life

[@stephenphillips9392]

Your from work is spectacular

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks.

[@dakotalapse]

Awesome job on the camera work and editing! Looks like a cool area!

[@RadioactiveDrew]

Thanks man. I'm trying to put some more production into these videos when I can.

[@mangan6961]

Amazing scenery! Very well made video

[@joecampbell6486]

very cool