The Most Remote Abandoned Mine...Done in One Day

Not once in my mine exploring career have I attempted or completed a trip as challenging as this mine. The Perseverance Mine had been on my list for years, but I continued to push it off until next year because I dreaded the inevitable suffering that I expected this trip to induce. In order to complete this in one day, hours of recon and planning were completed prior to the day of the trip. Our first obstacle was the lake. We had two options; go through the lake or go around the lake. By going through the lake, I mean rafting on the lake to the other side. This decision was like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Going around the lake meant possible hours of heavy bushwhacking while rafting meant carrying an additional 30 pounds of weight 5 miles each way. To resolve our indecision, I scouted out the route around the lake, and to my surprise, it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it might be.
With the first obstacle out of the way, we began thinking about what else could impede our journey. We knew there was some sort of established route to the lofty cliffs where the adit is located, but we weren't sure exactly how sporty these cliffs were. The weather was another factor in our planning. This trip simply would not have been possible with rainy or even hot weather.
With our best plan in hand, the day had finally come to give it a shot. We woke up around 4:00am and drove just under two hours to the trailhead where we began hiking at around 7:00am. We quickly plodded along the well-traveled trail to the lake before diverging off-trail to begin my second journey around the lake. After enduring thick vine maple with our heavy packs, we descended back down to the far edge of the lake and began an even brushier journey up the basin. I expected this part to be much easier than it was. But the combination of thick brush and car sized boulders was unrelenting. It took hours to get up the basin - only 1-2 miles of hiking. Finally, we emerged from the final brush patch to open scree fields. Our objective was in sight. The final obstacle was a series of slab cliffs standing between us and the mine. With some route-finding, we were able to make a smooth ascent up the cliffs and to the mine.
I have to say the view from this mine's portal is second to none; overlooking a crystal-clear lake and soaring ragged mountain peaks. We quickly admired the view, ate some lunch and entered the flooded adit. It took us several hours to explore the extensive workings and we began worrying about daylight when we finally made it back to the portal. We started down as the sun was falling over the nearby hills. Just an hour or two later, the sun had set and we were forced to rely on our headlamps as we made our way through the brush. The final 5 mile trudge along the trail was just about the hardest part of the day. After 14+ hours of hiking, we were hurting. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I first spotted the parking lot. Luckily, I still had enough energy to drive us home, where we were able to get to sleep around 1:00am.
Was it worth it? Yes. But maybe not for the reason you're thinking of. This was worth doing to say that I've done it. We knew it wasn't going to be the most interesting mine, but it may be the most interesting journey I've experienced.
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#minesofthewest #urbex #abandonedmine #mineexploring #abandoned #mining #exploring #desert #travel #history #adit #shaft #underground #minerals #silvermine #goldmine #exploringabandonedmines

[@MinesoftheWest]

Some of you have pointed out a sync issue with the audio. This is a KZbin issue. Try refreshing the page (F5) or coming back to the video later. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[@LTD99649]

I understand your reason for renaming it the "Perseverance Mine". I won't spill the beans and reveal it's real name, although I doubt you would have many if any looters go to the trouble of finding that old mine. It's pretty amazing to think that all those artifacts are right where those miners set the stuff down about 120 years ago. The last time I was in the mine was in 1988, I sold the property in 1990 to the US Forest Service; about 217 acres.

[@wadecartwright4277]

What a beautiful area

[@peterbrameld696]

What an adventure! Thank you for sharing it with me, I am 80 years old and have prostate cancer, the pain is real bad today, but sharing your adventure gave me a little peace, thank you from the UK.

[@johnfree2833]

Vape DMT while you are able😊

[@mikewinings4120]

Still unreal to me how they transported all the supplies up there,even in the summer,must have been pretty rich ore to warrant such expense

[@edbrick7689]

Wedges and notched wooden rail ties at @16.50. I'll explain their purpose. The ties and rail were milled on site. The ties were notched in a wedge profile, the 2"x4" wooden rail would be moved left or right to achieve the desired location and gage (width). Then four wedges would be placed, tightened and toe-nailed into the ties. Then the 2x4 wooden rail would capped with flat iron strap stock to mimmick an iron rail. I reopen a very remote portal in Alaska that had been closed since 1915. The rail there was the same system.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

39:27 That's what you call a wicker wine jug. The scenery surrounding this mine is spectacular!

[@chris-wr4jl]

That's a long hike, we rafted over the lake it cuts off 2 hours off your trip. To bad you couldn't get up those stairs with some gear, that goes up six more levels and is amazing. There is an exit out the back on upper level but Proubably plugged now. But on an upper level is a location full of tools gear and old clothing still hanging on hooks, it was left on the last shift by the last crew. They never return that next season. Also the goggles and twine was left behind in 1980 by the Bureau of mines doing their examination before locking up the minerals to the wilderness area.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Going to try the upper adits this summer. I do think there is a plug somewhere along the inclined raise, considering the lack of airflow. thanks for watching!

[@gyvren]

What state is this in?

[@chris-wr4jl]

@@MinesoftheWest in 1980 there was still one adit open on the back side. It gets covered by snow and wasn't wide open but still accessible. A helicopter was used to access that location. To bad you can't get up that manway or had a ladder or climbing gear. The backside it almost impossible to get to, if you know anyone with helicopter you could take a peak. You should repel from the golden cord to the justice, lots of unexplored stuff on those levels.

[@edbrick7689]

@27:15 the thick timber boards you see are referred to as Lagging, usually 2"x12" or 3"x12". Sorry if I am commenting so much, I worked as an underground hard miner for 41 years. Spent many years in some very old mines.

[@philliphall5198]

Keep giving us information Thanks

[@Blaculo]

That was very nice of you to take Rainman on a hike.

[@NPC-mt1cz]

😂😂😂

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

if only someone would give him voice lessons he speaks so high pitches sounds like a butch lesbian nerd

[@mikemarkel9203]

I'm pretty sure that the reason for all of the timber "stoage" was because they were getting ready to put all of the ore chutes and support framework in place, I don't think that part of the mine was very old as it was 2-3 times the width and height of other drifts of that mine itself, Those beautiful views seen on the trip in were breathtaking, Great Job!

[@MinesoftheWest]

I think you’re right. They certainly thought there would be more work done in this place. Thank you for watching!

[@thomasgirty6397]

THOSE OLDTIMERS WERE HARD!!!!! I was tired just watching this !!!!

[@fiatpandaman999]

Every part of this was amazing, the production is great, the trip to the mine and the landscape was stunning.

[@pethoviejo]

What a wonderful trek. Thank you for sharing.

[@PlanetMojo]

In areas, the mine was incredibly wide, especially for an old mine like that. Awesome job guys.

[@MinesoftheWest]

You’re right - lots of money down the drain!

[@lavapix]

Some 160-year-old miner is watching this saying, that was my fine timber work.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Lol - those miners live a long time.

[@bodhran24]

Amazing scenery and interesting mine. Research shows that there was a village about 1/2 mile below the lake outlet, including a hotel which lasted to around 1960,s. There was a sawmill at the village and one up on the peak. The steam winch you saw would have been used to operate the aerial tram down to the lake edge. This was still standing in the 50's. It would seem that there were 11 tunnels dug into the mountain in the area. They must have been hardy men to work up there. Look forward to your colab with TVR on the other tunnels around here. Good luck from NZ

[@oxskirra]

Those views of the valley…. Make this mine all the more worth it. Thank you for sharing

[@TVRExploring]

Nice work... There were some exceptional views up there! When are we getting a helicopter and hitting that exceptionally remote one we talked about?

[@MinesoftheWest]

The upper levels of this mine are in fact the mines you’re referencing. We’ve found a possible hiking route that I’m going to try first before we resort back to the helicopter. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@Yngvi_Barran]

One of the most beautiful landscapes that I have ever seen

[@Jupiter503]

My favorite exploring channel for sure always really stoked for the little map that comes up in the beginning

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thanks my friend!!

[@Philios2Glory1]

wow amazing, I love seeing some of the behind the scene parts of you getting to mines, like this.

[@ralphpatrick3071]

Thanks for all the effort, that was one sketchy mines and one helva hike!

[@patdenney7046]

Good job! Appreciate all the hard work!

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good evening from Southeast South Dakota

[@MinesoftheWest]

Howdy!

[@cominehunter]

This might be my favorite video of yours. I really loved everything about this mine

[@VendettaProspecting]

That was totally epic! The hike in, the mine itself !! Wow

[@karensmith2110]

Great trip and mine. Thank you for taking us along. Beautiful.

[@LanceBeckman]

I watch all of your videos.. this is absolute amazing! I'm extremely jealous!!

[@brycehanson9635]

That is absolutely beautiful, what a great trip that must have been

[@richardnailhistorical3445]

I wish there was a more 'informational' video about these mines other than just walking through them with no explanations at to what we are seeing, for e.g., what the hell were they mining here? Gold, Silver, copper? what? Dates, dates, ownership, number of people working mine? Is there no paperwork for the mines, they didn't have accountants, lawyers, corporate records?

[@peggybaxter8480]

Beautiful Scenery! Very Interesting! Good Job!

[@funafish2351]

About time! Good shit as always. Im glad to see you went past the raise, I didnt for some reason. Also didnt go down the other side of "Drift A", that remains a mystery whats beyond that spooky collapsey trash. Also, you can thank my brother for the spooky handprints lol

[@MinesoftheWest]

Haha! Did he voluntarily dip his hands in the goo? We actually did push out the other side of “Drift A” but iirc, it was caved shortly past the intersection and it was very challenging to film. Thanks for watching!

[@funafish2351]

@@MinesoftheWest Honesty cant remember, just recall him flinging some of it around and making the prints, that shits like paint lol. The whole level is explored then! Thats good. Lets do level 2 this summer!

[@jaxchapman]

😮have never seen so much wood stashed in a mine, enough to build a cabin.

[@terrystewart2070]

This was totally epic in all regards! Kudos!

[@georgesmith8113]

Quite the interesting mine. Amazing how many extra timbers they had in there. Great video! 👍👍👍👊😎

[@Kennerunderground]

Quite the rewarding hike! Great video!

[@russellcarlson8426]

Spectacular video. Cinematography for hike up is...well, I have not seen more striking photography on KZbin.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thanks so much!

[@mikewinings4120]

That is such a beautiful area,love to hike it,wow!!

[@johncarold]

OK, the second part, this is one of the biggest and best videos thanks for the video and information about this mine.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thanks so much!

[@d2sfavs]

what a fascinating place thank you

[@garyruss3529]

56:23 Long explore & hike! Glad you made it back safely. Think the contrast of the bluish stone, yellows & reds looked amazing. That'd make for a pretty picture.

[@davidfultz6483]

You did a great job showing off that mine. 👏

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thank you!

[@kennethalmond8922]

Good one! Thank you for sharing :)

[@Guille-qy9wy]

Really cool video, and beautiful scenery!

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed.

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Wow, stunning lake, so envious, the miners must have loved coming out of that mine! I bet very few people have been in that one since it closed! Amazed to see such a large mine in such a location, conditions reminded me of our mines, but surprised you found no major workings. Brilliant video, thankyou very much.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thanks for watching!

[@gabepurpur]

This is a beautiful hike I went a few years ago just to the lake. I’ve seen a few trips to that mine but never a video, so thanks! It was really cool to see the inside. On the other trips I’ve seen they pack rafted across to avoid that brush.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Yeah we opted out of the extra weight of the raft. It made the initial approach on the trail very fast since we didn't have too much weight.

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

where is the mine and what is the name of the trail head?

[@zacharyellinger4766]

Kind of a hard core hike in. Well done

[@bavarianlynx7924]

Great work!

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thank you!

[@L4M858]

Really good, thanks!

[@JustinWilliamsStageDesign]

What a cool adventure; enjoyed watching :)

[@MinesoftheWest]

Glad to hear!

[@BlackJackMiller5]

Happy to see you guys go here. I'm a local and I've always wanted to make the trek. Cheers.

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

where is it? what is the trailhead?

[@edbrick7689]

46:30, interesting info, when the timber sets are wider at the bottom or narrower at the top there are called "canted sets". I've installed a few hundred of those.

[@GrandmaBev64]

That sure would have been a paradise to live in.

[@philliphall5198]

I enjoy watching people who know what they’re doing and being safe doing it but I hate watching kids take chances in mines It takes knowledge and equipment to be very safe Thank Youll

[@aaroneugene1654]

@3:00 What an amazing view!

[@johncarold]

OK, I am amazed that you two hiked that far, but I still am amazed that someone started a mine there in the first place. I'm wondering if there didn't have a wood mill there. Yeah I like those boxes of oar. The second part in the morning.

[@nibiru3645]

The ore in those two wooden boxes most probably was some high grade ore that was never retrieved for whatever reason. You should check it out.

[@qsapatriotmdsmart2793]

Not the most feature rich mine, but a completely EPIC location. I'll be watching some more...well done!

[@stephenfowler4115]

14+20' means 14 stations plus twenty feet. Each station is 100 feet.

[@edbrick7689]

Nice video, good job.

[@kevinbrennan2004]

What an amazing old mine. Epic hike. FAB views. What more could you ask for?

[@daryljacobson7462]

You did an AWESOME job of videoing that mine. Or I guess I should say old, huge prospect. They never shipped an ounce of ore out of there. If you're fixin to do the upper levels on the Pride Basin side, be ready for some steep climbing with ropes. I have not been up there, but know people who have tried.

[@MinesoftheWest]

I’m going to give it a shot this summer! Wish me luck!

[@daryljacobson7462]

@@MinesoftheWest Good luck, I hope you can make it.

[@davegrummett1263]

All of that work for main haulage, drifts, raise (and what I read from others it has upper levels) and they never shipped any ore????

[@daryljacobson7462]

@@davegrummett1263 That's true. Two and a half miles of tunnel and no ore shipments.

[@TheDamageinc81]

What years was this mine in operation?

[@nefariumxxx]

Fun explore, thanks for sharing it. Looks like an upper adit visible way up above and left of main portal @ 1:01:48 ... perhaps a level or two from where the rotten stairs were.

[@MinesoftheWest]

The upper adits actually open up on the other side of the mountain! Thanks for watching!

[@MinesoftheWest]

The upper adits actually open up on the other side of the mountain! Thanks for watching!

[@arthurwiens2762]

Very well done. I can't imagine it gets a lot of visitors and certainly fewer that make it as far as you did. yet the mud seemed to have a channel from walking or something else. Curious.

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

Awesome Explore, kinda need a hang glider for the trip home

[@kingtucker10]

What a day!

[@andydreadsbmx]

The photo at 48:50 is awesome!

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thank you!

[@barid302]

Look like there's good fish in that lake. I would love to spend a week there on that little island inlet there.

[@timryan8174]

Very cool! I really enjoyed all of it. 👊👍

[@drubber007]

23:30 That makes a great photo

[@MinesoftheWest]

I liked that one too!

[@davidburnette963]

Awesome gold get it ❤

[@rj-jn6ex]

Fantastic trek !! How did they get the boiler and other equip to the location you showed ? How did they get supplies - closest town ? Any detail on the history of the mine ? Loved the entire presentation. You must be part mountain goat !!

[@MinesoftheWest]

They likely had mules to literally drag it up the side of the mountain. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!

[@rj-jn6ex]

So how did you evaluate the safety of all that soaked/rotted timber ? Do you think this area you traversed has been flooded for decades ?

[@lincolnstovall9471]

Steam tank? Watched Miner cribbing a raise. Might see how or why there is much lumber and timber’s, wedges. Definitely old school artifacts. D handle shovels, mucking. Thanks 🙏

[@edbrick7689]

@21:33, the reason for so many wedges is they are used setting the track (rail) gage. Four wedges per tie. That is why you see the deep wedges shaped notches in all timber ties.

[@edbrick7689]

25:23 Drift A 14+20 is survey station readings. 1420' from "0". Usually zero is at the portal.

[@getreal1702]

@17;23 min mark is the front wheel piece. at the top is where the ball joint is and the piece in the middle sticking out is where the steering linkage would go to turn left and right. off an old big truck more than likely.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Thanks for the insight!

[@MinesoftheWest]

@3 bacco Oxidized sulfides.

[@drubber007]

What an incredibly beautiful spot. How did they come to find such a remote area and what made them pick that particular spot?

[@MinesoftheWest]

There just happened to be a possibly rich ore body there. All chance really.

[@Mike-zl4rp]

Wow, whatta nice adventure. Nice filming and incredible scenery. Was this a gold mine?

[@MinesoftheWest]

This mine never actually shipped any ore, but the rock they were mining contained silver, gold, copper, lead, zinc, antimony and arsenic.

[@Mike-zl4rp]

@@MinesoftheWest Thank you. Great videos. One of my favorite channels from now on

[@johnnyfercik2455]

Wow, you should take my dad there on your next visit. He loves to douse for gold and he can teach you.

[@cwf081166]

Don't let Frank see that ore cart because he will get it for his museum.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Lol you’re right!

[@LanceBeckman]

Just read the description. I hope you were able to enjoy a couple cold beers once you got back to your home base

[@diggindiggenit6540]

wow looks like big foot country total wilderness

[@belayslave1]

Hello mines of the west I have pictures on my fb page and have gone on a trek with my father when I was 15 years old I think I know 2 mines that y’all haven’t been to and are undiscovered since they where last left in the mining days please lmk how to get in touch with y’all and email or whatever I have some great pics of up in monte so lmk

[@MinesoftheWest]

Hi There, you can email [e-mail]. I look forward to hearing about your adventures!

[@Dave_9547]

Would like to see some comment on that light blue rock/mineral at about 56:30. Was this a gold mine, or some other mineral producer?

[@MinesoftheWest]

It was actually a lot more gray / silver in person than on camera. I’m not sure what it is unfortunately…

[@ronbarnhardt5201]

Looks like part of the old road was cordoroyed. The logs placed across so they could get past the mud/soft spots.

[@Lucysdad66]

The 14+20 would refer to a station number on a set of plans.

[@mikearmstrong9899]

How does one prospect a mine out in the middle of nowhere halfway up a mountain?

[@jeremykelley4990]

I’ve been to Goat Lake - didn’t realize there was a mine up there.

[@macfilms9904]

Cool mine - that's a pretty serious "day-trip". You don't seem to be using a stabilizer on your camera - don't you usually use one (did you leave behind because of weight etc?)? Were there any signs of a tram system? Wondering how they got the ore out of there. Also, what were they mining?

[@MinesoftheWest]

Yeah I left the stabilizer at home because of weight. Glad I did. They never shipped any ore, but the veins contained a bunch of different minerals. Lead, copper, zine, gold, silver, and arsenic.

[@rtdunford]

Those wood parts looked like they were braces that held the pipes up. One could put the pipes together and pile them up high enough with those to carry the water above the blockages through different grades and towards the exit. I am just guessing Idk.

[@davidseale716]

You have to wonder a couple of things. 1) who the hell did the prospecting this far into the mountains. 2) how to they carry all the stuff to the mine? 3) was it financially viable?

[@turkeyidk4080]

I was thinking of the same things.

[@turkeyidk4080]

Hopefully this helps

[@user-wu4vo9ez8j]

In a previous mine video you did, there was alot of ore cars and 4 locomotives, but non in here, wondering why

[@MinesoftheWest]

The mine you were referencing was an enormous operation with tons of money for good equipment. This mine was effectively a prospect, so their infrastructure wasn’t quite as fancy. They would have only had a couple basic ore cars.

[@voidfaux]

the 14+20 are survey markings, 1420 feet from portal.

[@philliphall5198]

I was wondering did they blast into the water deep into the mine and it flooded, then they left it and shut down, did they get any ore out of it??? Wish we Knew more history about it

[@mkrayaries1280]

Where are you at ? I'm in Washington looks like above granetfalls

[@Every_Day_Adventure]

was there a tramway to the mine?

[@giorgiocisilino4874]

mountain on the right looks like face tilted up with it's mouth open at 3:36 0n yr video ,cool area.

[@edbrick7689]

@20:28 what you are calling a workbench was actually what miners call a "lay down area". We create a place out of the water to lay down or store our materials we use such as timber, rail, ventilation pipe, drill steel, pipe, etc.

[@philliphall5198]

Did they not pump out the water ?? Seems they would have made drainage

[@jaxchapman]

Cool, 3:35 mountain at upper right corner look like a face with open mouth.

[@anthonyyoung7344]

There's some old mines here in Tennessee I wish someone would investigate and put it on KZbin I'd like to see them but I'm not crazy enough to do it myself.

[@TheDamageinc81]

Contact underground Birmingham