Great Mine At The Top Of A Desert Mountain

I don’t know why abandoned mines always must be on the tops of mountains and require a strenuous hike to reach, but that consistently seems to be the case. When it’s a great mine like this one though, I don’t mind all that much. Of course, any of the suffering involved in adventuring and exploring beats being stuck in a miserable, futile existence.
This particular abandoned mine was discovered in the late 1800s, but was not developed until the early 1900s. I have seen conflicting reports on whether the primary mineral mined here was lead or silver. Suffice it to say, there was an abundance of galena! Interestingly - at least to me - is that much of the host rock for that galena is limestone in this mine.
I didn’t see any sign of a bunkhouse on top of the mountain and so, presumably, the miners made their daily commute in a tram bucket. That would’ve been a hell of a way to commute to work up in the mountains… While we were stopped for lunch a bighorn sheep made his appearance next to the first tram tower that I pointed out on the video. I tried to capture a video of him, but it was too far away to turn out. Anyway, the point is that the mountains are serious enough to be home to bighorn sheep. So, those mountains are no joke.
Speaking of trams… In case you missed it because the wind was muffling the audio, I initially mistook the hoist house for a tram station since it was located so far away from the shaft. I have never seen a hoist located that far from a mine shaft and so it threw me off.
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You can see the full TVR Exploring playlist of abandoned mines here: goo.gl/TEKq9L
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD and here: bit.ly/2p6Jip6
Several kind viewers have asked about donating to help cover some of the many expenses associated with exploring these abandoned mines. Inspired by their generosity, I set up a Patreon account. So, if anyone would care to chip in, I’m under TVR Exploring on Patreon.
Thanks for watching!
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Growing up in California’s “Gold Rush Country” made it easy to take all of the history around us for granted. However, abandoned mine sites have a lot working against them - nature, vandals, scrappers and various government agencies… The old prospectors and miners that used to roam our lonely mountains and toil away deep underground are disappearing quickly as well.
These losses finally caught our attention and we felt compelled to make an effort to document as many of the ghost towns and abandoned mines that we could before that colorful niche of our history is gone forever.
I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines
#UndergroundMineExploring

[@rh5563]

Those dials on that ore chute were amazing! Never seen anything like that, ever. 👍👍👍

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, we were really impressed by that as well and also have never seen anything else like that before...

[@lizzyfrizzy4969]

Machinists use dials like that on certain workholding mechanisms, so you can set up an angled cut, rotate until the dial hits a stopper pin, reset the stopper pin, make your cut, rotate again. Its great for keeping track of two floating point figures while your reference moves around. The man running that station was a machinist or a math geek, and i have seen that technique before.

[@brucevanderzanden9638]

What a great mine to explore! Thank you for taking us with you Justin!

[@markattardo]

The boggle your mind mine....WOW!! Incredible workings and remaining artifacts. The amount of labor to set up the infrastructure is crazy when you think about it, never mind carving out the mountain. It was an extremely ambitious exploration and video production too! 👍👍

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this was an impressive mine!

[@brucevanderzanden9638]

What a great mine to explore! Thank you for taking us with you Mustin👏!

[@paulcooper2897]

Wow! Not much for artifacts inside, bot a LOT of workings, and incredible structures outside! Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[@Askjeffwilliams]

aaaah ...now you are in our backyard ....we know that mine and the owner well .... be careful out there ..... he can get a little upset sometimes.

[@russellsmith3825]

How cranky is he? Is he grumpier than Slim?

[@Askjeffwilliams]

@@russellsmith3825 only when he hasn't had his morning coffee

[@TVRExploring]

So, I've heard... It's a popular one on the exploring circuit (for understandable reasons).

[@russellsmith3825]

@@Askjeffwilliams so is it proper manners to leave some sort of peace offering, like Jameson's?

[@rogersmith7396]

In modern times COOP was a trade name for Farmland Industries since merged with Land O Lakes. They produced food products and owned Kansas oil wells and refineries and marketed oil, gas, batteries etc. I worked in their test labs in KC for 3.5 years. They had full engine test facilities.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for the additional details and background information.

[@97-20-media]

This is the best mine that you have taken us to thanks so much

[@nadeemnadaf843]

After I watch these amazing sites on your channel, I always end up thinking about how the hell these old-timers built these amazing mines. it gives me goosebumps every time Love and respect from India

[@TapRackBang72]

Love a good mountain mine video to get us through hump day!

[@georgeyandell323]

Wow, this explore started out slow, then boom all kinds of cool things to see. nice video.

[@TVRExploring]

Some of the best explores seem to go that way...

[@RustandDustExploration]

I'm so disappointed that we didn't see that note for the skip guys. That's pretty funny. Great find! This is still one of our absolute favorite mines.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it was a good one. The underground workings combined with the setting would make it one of my favorites as well... Definitely a popular one on the exploring circuit though and so I was surprised by even the few artifacts that were left (such as the note for the skip guys).

[@sideburngthepeacebringer27]

@@TVRExploring What is your number 1 favourite Mine?

[@volktales7005]

That was a very sweet mine, both inside and out. I envy you guys that can see this stuff in person. Thanks for bringing it to those of us that can't get out to places like this...

[@RussellNelson]

12:55 WOW! Double tracked mine! Amazing.

[@jerryfrohn9894]

Just think of it,this whole mine started out as just a rock face of a rock formation,blows your mind the work that went in to these mines,love your videos thank you.

[@67volksrodder]

It's amazing how they removed all that material from that mine. Wow. To think they didn't have the modern day stuff we have today. Great video. 👍

[@spencersutton7486]

I look forward to your videos so much! Thanks for taking us along. Your videos are the best!👌

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much.

[@roberttindale9012]

That was great explore. Thanks to you all. ;^)

[@cortrichards8179]

Lol! I remember those Dolly Madison Cherry Pie's with Charlie Brown on the label, like the one you guys found in the mine. They date from the early to mid 1970's, if anyone is interested. It definitely brings back memories of that time period. Thanks for sharing, as always! Keep up the explorations and find more cool, old stuff!

[@stevebaseley]

What a amazing mine cool video nice and long thanks for sharing 👍 🇬🇧

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Those old timers sure knew how to do things. I can’t even figure out they could dig shafts to different levels Thanks for filming it

[@tutekohe1361]

The machine at 59:00 appears to be the engine for driving the hoist winch, looks like an old ‘hit and miss’ type engine. The machine at 59:20 is an air compressor, probably drove off the same engine. Great mine, great video.

[@million_heir5298]

Good call. That’s definitely the engine.

[@russellsmith3825]

That hunk of iron that said champion I think was a drill press

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.

[@thanatoslives343]

10:47 - 10:48 below square cardboard maybe a stick of dynamite? And 10:52 - 10:57 looks like old battery cells perhaps for a lantern? To the left of the Hercules box there are still some cells sitting inside a rusted out container. Great Explore!

[@diggindiggenit6540]

That was a fricken cool mine 4 sure

[@williamwintemberg]

This explore was really worth the trip up the mountain! What a nice mine! The location of the winch, engine and air compressor? Was different to say the least. Very, very nice! Thanks Justin and Crew!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it was. "Different" is a good way to put it!

[@cameronmccreary4758]

That indeed was a very nice mine; thanks Justin. I hope all is going well with you and your family and I'm glad this Covid crap is almost over with.

[@jasonfitzpatrick414]

I'm glad I did not work there. Based on the tunneling which I know they blasted out of solid rock, they did a lot of hard work in those days. I'm glad we have heavy machinery. Thanks for the tour. I'm glad we still have some mining history sites out in the wilds.

[@erikjacobsen9861]

they call that the "Stope a Dope". Lol Funny miners. Thanks for ALL you Do!

[@rogersmith7396]

Deposits like gold are found at the top of mountains because they are stratified by weight when the earth was molten. Lead, gold, uranium being the heaviest sink to the bottom. The earth solidifies then continental drift create wrinkles in the surface we call mountains. The stratified layers push upwards above the plains. Eons of weathering expose the ore and typically carry it down stream with water which is what people pan for. They follow the stream uphill to the mother lode.

[@2002MX5]

Nice logic.😃

[@SueCooke]

Really interesting. Thank you.

[@chuckgibson1274]

Nice filming guys !!

[@autotek7930]

This is one of the most impressive explores I've seen from you. There's still good looking material left in there and my God just think how much they took out. Must have been really rich

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Justin, one amazing looking mine so far but at 10:52 what were those cannisters for to the left of the I assume dynamite box ???? Wow, I've never seen anything like those dials either to tally the loads, that's a very cool, neat find. That was one fantastic mine, not the normal type where they are very clear cut of drift, winze, drift, this one was way more interesting to look at and I imagine fascinating to actually clamber around. The ore bin and combined headframe showed some great craftsmanship in it's construction, very impressive looking too. A brilliant tour and as always you were a great tour guide, how on earth do you manage to narrate for that long lol, amazing. I haven't seen anything from Graham in a while, is he okay ???. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx ❤

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this was a good one - both for the setting and the extensive workings underground... Also, like you said, there were cool little features like the dials that made it special. Haha, I can assure you that sometimes narrating and filming for that long gets very old. Yes, Graham is doing well. He started a new job recently and hasn't had as much time off. We're plotting out a couple of trips in the coming months though...

[@SueGirling68]

@@TVRExploring Good to hear Graham is okay, it will be nice to see him back in the saddle so to speak. xx

[@rshutterbug47]

That's Cool That You Got All That DONE 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Ed_in_Md]

Cool mine. Love that ore car counter!

[@TVRExploring]

That was pretty amazing, huh?

[@jeffreyallen3796]

Thank you Brother these are fun.

[@jamesfohare]

Thanks Justin good video Cheers Guys ✌👍

[@bigmoney3405]

Freaking amazing,Thankyou for this!

[@chrisackerley1842]

It's amazing they hauled all that equipment to the top of a mountain. How much do you suppose that drill sharpener weighs? That must have been a ball breaker!

[@TVRExploring]

They would have hauled the equipment up in pieces with the aerial tram and then assembled them on site. Even with that being the case though, that drill sharpener in pieces would have been insanely heavy.

[@dereksmith1803]

How do you keep from getting lost in big, multi layer mines like this? I would be so turned around after a couple hours and a few level changes that someone like you would find my body a few years later. 🤪

[@TVRExploring]

It's a little easier when you're there in person. There's a logic to the layout.

[@The_Cultural_Historian_DrRGST]

I've watched all of your videos. . . no ghosts, no cryptids, no swinging chains. . . the only timer was that noise in Russia. . . makes you wonder about all those cave "discoveries."

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, I don't like all of that fake nonsense with the ghosts and such... And, to be clear, I don't think that scream I heard underground in Kyrgyzstan was something supernatural. It was just that I had no idea what caused it.

[@brittanylee4591]

I missed your videos! Wasn't seeing any notifications. Hope all is well keep trucking!

[@oubliette862]

I learned a trick for driving big nails usually without splitting the wood. Not sure about rail spikes but it may work on them. Turn the nail point up and blunt the tip really good with the hammer. Then drive it. Maybe your spikes are too sharp.

[@thomasbritton3376]

The cherry pie was of 70s vintage

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.

[@Teeveepicksures]

As a kid, driving up around Scottys Castle in the summer with my grandparents, I vividly remember staring out the back window at these black dots that littered the ridges and cliffs and always wondered what these caves held inside.

[@uwillnevahno6837]

Assuming there's no collapse, what might the presence or absence of tracks mean for a mine? If tracks are present then is it likely the mine was shutdown due to WW2 and therefore still have value? Perhaps it's equally like the mine was played out and it wasn't cost effective to pull up the track/these weren't recovered as part of the war effort? Maybe track presence/absence isn't a good indicator of anything in particular?

[@scottprather5645]

FYI silver is often associated with and in the Galena And is refined as a by-product of the lead mining.

[@sarahpovey6368]

These miners were genius builders amazing❤

[@rvman3359]

Man, that was a cool mine. Thanks

[@wes11bravo]

I can't think of a mine exploration channel I dislike but TVR is definitely my favorite. I'm possibly wrong but I get the suspicion that at least a few of you guys are vets or are active military, perhaps USAF? And yep, I say it every time, the 80+ year old timber that looks virtually new in some of these mines is amazing.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much, Wes. Yes, none of the guys that I go out with are currently active duty, but there are several vets. While never formally in the military myself, I spent a lot of time on the front lines in most of the world's conflicts when I was working as a war journalist.

[@davegrummett1263]

Neat mine. That had a lot of great features and a few bygone relics. Definitely looks like it doesn't get explored a lot. No spray paint tags or ribbons from surveyors either. Definitely a good solid looking mine that should be around a long time if the BLM doesn't close it up. Thanks Justin and friends. Stay safe and all the best to you and yours.

[@Korey47]

Was this mine dug by the slaves or something? What would BLM have to do with the prices of eggs in china?

[@davegrummett1263]

@@Korey47Hello, BLM as in "Bureau of Land Management" division of the U.S. Department Of The Interior who in part are responsible for closing, remediating and/or limiting access to abandoned mines.

[@Robb403]

An abandoned mine like this would be the perfect place for NASA to demonstrate how a large community could survive and thrive in the isolation of the Moon or Mars. It has lots of space for housing and farming and could be sealed off from outside influences. That would be a more realistic representation of how miners and scientists would live on a hostile world with little water.

[@TVRExploring]

I like it...

[@TheDamageinc81]

NASA is a complete waste of tax dollars ... however Space X is ahead by leaps and bounds. I mean ... they CAN'T go back to the moon??? 😂

[@joeveinot5642]

Awesome stuff

[@lorrinbarth1969]

Great explore! They had to have something other than a pull cord bell to command the hoist. Did you see any evidence of a phone line? Also, what do you think drove the hoist, steam or compressed air? If steam, where is the boiler? If compressed air, where did the compressor live?

[@worldtraveler930]

I am also curious to know?!? 🤔

[@TVRExploring]

I saw no evidence of a phone line... Your question about steam versus compressed air is a good one and I didn't see the infrastructure for either. Maybe some stuff went tumbling down the mountain? Maybe some stuff was hauled away? I wish I could tell you.

[@tutekohe1361]

The machine at 59:00 appears to be an old ‘hit and miss’ engine. They ran on gasoline. It looked big enough to drive that hoist winch and the air compressor.

[@michaelanthony8780]

Ive worked in many, many mines, and though there are underground phones, mine shaft conveyances are signaled by pull rope, or cord buzzers or bells.

[@cbonz7734]

The silver market collapsed before 1920 so my guess would be this mine suffered the same fate as most of the rest by 1920. Charlie Brown didn't come out until 1950 so the wrappers were probably other mine explores or surveyors. If the mine had been originally silver but changed to lead, the mine would probably have closed right after WWII, which would have prevented the steel salvaging seen during the war on earlier mines, which had closed before or right at the beginning of the war. If that's the case that puts it closing 80 or so years ago which seems consistent with some of the artifacts you saw. One great clue is the cardboard dynamite boxes which might put you in the correct time frame. I also noticed modern nails which dates some workings later.

[@brucevanderzanden9638]

We’ve missed you for two weeks Justin, but perhaps more urgent things came up that need your attention now! I am concerned for you and your family members you spoke about a few months back. I am praying for safety, peace, rest, healing, etc. for you and your family. Get back to us when it works for you. I am a loyal viewer and will wait for your return to your channel and always will be my friend!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much for your concern and kind support. No bad news on my end... I have been exceptionally busy for the past two weeks, but with good things! However, I carved out some time this evening and just finished editing and uploading a video, which I'll publish a little later this morning (Thursday).

[@2002MX5]

I've never heard the word "stope" used this many times in a video. That mountain was like Swiss cheese.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, they took a lot of material out of this one.

[@Ed_in_Md]

The outside is as awesome or more so than the inside!

[@TheSilmarillian]

Great explore hello from Australia

[@theogdirkdiggler]

Found this on Printerest..... (1970s Dolly Madison Pie - Cherry - Charlie Brown....) Old timers would use gobbing to hide their tools when they would leave, learned that from BC Jeff

[@davefredericks6133]

A great explore 👍👍

[@weedlboffer]

Awespme video!, amazing history... you guys got bigger "Cohone's" than me going into the places you do....LOL

[@cmpe43]

I can't afford to be a patron yet but adding the mundane would be cool.

[@garymucher4082]

Do you know what they were actually mining is such a mine? Was it precious metals or iron ore or whatever else? And depending on what they were mining, do you ever see more of the metal they were extracting when exploring? Thumbs Up!

[@bengtkorswing5279]

Charlie Brown was invented in 1950. Which means the mine was in use in the 1950´s. The lower axle of shipcar has been removed, you can see the bolts.

[@markcoulthard4692]

The piece of equipment labled 351 is an old steam engine, in this situation prbably powered by air.

[@parkerrowe4687]

"Try a full skip"

[@TVRExploring]

It made us laugh...

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello Justin Thank you for this great Video. I call this mine the stope mine . So much work and i wonder how they get all the Equipment up in the mountains. Do you have any Information about the mine . I hope the looters and Vandales dont find them . Take care stay safe Yours Frank Galetzka

[@mybetterhalf6373]

LOCATION?

[@mfree80286]

1:21 Dolly Madison sold those from the 70's to the early 1980's.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for dating those. Early mine explorers...

[@Charlie-wq1gi]

What is the longest period of time you were in a mine exploring it? Have you stayed overnight? A few days under ground exploring?

[@TVRExploring]

18 hours so far. Mine exploring is physically exhausting. So, I was extremely worn out after that 18 hours. We have one that is even more intense that we're working on and when we return again, it will likely require an overnight stay. Given how physically demanding it is to get out, I don't know how feasible a multi-day trip would be.

[@miqotelover]

I know you guys are experienced, and you're keeping safe. However, how can you tell if there's safe air to breath all so it's not a dead zone? Oxygen meters?

[@daveg2104]

Yes., they have meters.

[@miqotelover]

@@daveg2104 Thank you~

[@kevroodenman3283]

well preserved? a missed opportunity as structures started to crumble 👀 indeed a very photogenic mine

[@anthonysayle7409]

When u go through these shafts do u ever carry wond to see if there is gold on ground

[@jrogers24733]

Do you ever provide names? Not the locations or coordinate but just the name. I love exploring mines and have traveled a lot of Nevada but you have some really cool mines I would love to look into.

[@moonbear1st]

i looked up charlie brown after you said 1720 a few times :) his 1st appearance was 1948 in a cartoon called lil kids and then peanuts 1950 both were done by schultz the creator..always been a favourite cartoon of mine ..and talking of mines cant wait for the next part..

[@phillipswain4942]

Any updates on the mine restoration that you a part of?

[@kennyrester1032]

How long would it take to dig a mine like that?

[@darinday6930]

Nice one!

[@markduncan6690]

I want to see the Buildings!

[@lidrec]

You need to explain more of what they were mining!

[@TVRExploring]

Read the description below the video.

[@scotttaylor8498]

Dolly Madison cherry pie package. That style was used in the 70s.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for dating those.

[@scotttaylor8498]

Your welcome

[@markduncan6690]

Where are all of the tools?

[@lumberjaxe8910]

Great Video. You should of capitalised and made part 1 n 2 . An hr is to long.

[@colbyt4098]

Not sure if you've ever made it around carbon county utah or not but the place is littered with old coal mines (in case the county name didn't give it away). Many have been wiped out by the Bureau of historical annihilation but between carbon county utah and the deserts around delta utah you might have a chance to find some good ones, or at least see some cool above ground remains.

[@lidrec]

What were they mining?! A lot of effort equals wealth !!

[@powerhouseonline1747]

Have you town good?

[@Jyarber102]

Love hearing that souped up Volkswagen if I was rich as you brother I have me 1 jus so we could Ryan could video us in the latest episode of Dukes of Hazzard Takes Fentress County!!!

[@murdoch451]

Cool mine, pretty worked out, being so dry and grey was it a zink mine. David UK..

[@lorrinbarth1969]

See above - lead and silver.

[@cryptopooper509]

Impressive discovery , but it boggles min mind as to how they got the heavy equipment up there 🙃

[@TVRExploring]

They would have taken the equipment up there in pieces with the aerial tram and assembled them on site.

[@cryptopooper509]

@@TVRExploring The aerial tram ? No big pieces there !! Sure it wasn't aliens ? 😁

[@Dwendele]

Your buddy should have explored into that hole in the other mine better, huh? Lol you did say in the other vid he would be punished by having to do all the checking out sketchy spots. Lol But.... Did he learn his lesson?

[@TVRExploring]

Indeed, he was penalized multiple turns for his misleading use of "just a little hole" and leaving the impression that that side drift was not worth exploring in the other mine! Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, he never seems to learn the lessons that we try to impart to him.

[@sosanation714]

Wow how do you find these places😲

[@lidrec]

I see pillars of ore??

[@graydonjones6912]

You allmost have to be part mountain goat to be there nice one

[@mfree80286]

10:49 "lots of paper"..... camera frame centers on a fully intact stick of dynamite sitting right there, time to watch the ground walking!

[@josephseibert4662]

You ever find any gold I’d carry a cheap metel detector just for kicks

[@lesbendo6363]

A Swiss Cheese mine! 🇨🇦

[@TVRExploring]

It felt like it!

[@SuperMika70]

🤘🤘

[@rayh.williamsiii]

So what am I going to say