Underground Exploration Of Mines In Historic Gold Mining District 🔦⛏️

For this abandoned mine explore we go to a Mojave Desert gold mining area to visit a few mines that we've been interested in for some time. While exploring underground we found colorful mineral veins, deep vertical shafts and steep and sketchy ladders. There is also a trestle for rail that was used to help haul ore up a steep grade with a winch, and some great roads for 4 wheelin'. We will return to this area again to explore deeper underground into some of the workings that we didn't have time to fully explore on this trip. We hope you enjoy the video!
Here is a link to one of our favorites:
• This Historic Mine Has...
Want to see an underground elevator or mine cage?
• Incredible Abandoned M...

[@TomBrucker-GoldenYears]

Good morning Tom and Julie !

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Good morning, Tom!

[@richardbeee]

Good morning! Y'all are so lucky to see all those beautiful areas. Thanks for passing it forward.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Good morning, Richard! We are lucky to be able to get out and see these places. Thanks for watching!👍👍

[@rickdale4921]

Enjoyed the adventure with my two favorite explorer's on my favorite youtube channel ❤️

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Aww, thanks for the nice comment, Rick. We certainly appreciate you!👍😁

[@jerryrichter4904]

good morning mine explorers thanks for sharing good day for a good video 15 degrees here going to 8 tonite brrrr

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Good morning, Jerry! Hope you stay warm.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

That Drift looks pretty tall for us ....hahhahahha....looks like the old Dale district ..... don't take the fast way down that shaft Tom.... love that string hold the ladders to the sets. Surprised you didn't drop to the bottom to check it out ....keep'em coming and be safe out there

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yep, Old Dale. I wanted to go to the bottom and will probably go back to do so. I was getting rocked a bit from the rope pulling things loose. That's not the best ladder I've ever seen. Thanks for watching, Jeff!😁👍

[@roperdon5939]

Thanks Tom and Julie! Since most wood does not change too much over the years in this dry environment, these ladders must look a lot as they did when the miners scurried up and down them. Be safe and thanks again! PS- I don’t know which was more dangerous the jeep path or the ladder.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome, Don. That ladder was worse than the roads. It's a really crummy ladder. Thanks for watching and commenting!👍👍

[@jeffgray4602]

I’m in awe of the beauty of our earth. You have taken me places I’ve never seen but sure do enjoy watching. I’m in West Texas now and it’s mostly pump jacks and prairie grass. Lol. Thanks Julie and Tom.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Glad that you enjoy the beauty of the desert mountains, Jeff! Hope all is well for you in Texas. 👍👍

[@scottsladeadventures1102]

During my placer mining days in and around the Mojave I often wondered what was down those shafts. You two have my respect... glad to see you take your safety seriously. Hope to see you this late spring.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You never know what you might find down some of these shafts. Sometimes they just follow a vein down and sometimes there are a few drift levels. Thanks, Scott. We'd love to run into you sometime. 👍👍

[@highdesertbill]

Great batch of clips. Thanks for sharing and as always for taking me along for the explore! you two are the best.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Glad that you enjoyed the explore, Bill. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍👍

[@tyleredwards7162]

Wow the logistics for moving the ore where it needed to go was amazing

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

It's always amazing to hink of the logistics of moving equipment in and ore out. The miners were great at getting the job done. Thanks for the comment, Tyler!👍👌

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Can u forgive me ? I missed the premier showtime !

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You are forgiven, Dave. Lol😁❤️

[@HikeCamp]

Boy some real beautiful views outside. A real Jeep workout... The rungs on that ladder look like 1 inch lath boards.. Gezzz

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Glad that you liked the views, Max. Yeah, that's a terrible ladder. The Jeep always takes a beating, but keeps on going. Thanks for watching!👍👍

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

I am thinking of getting another Jeep but I've had bad luck with some models in the past. FOOD FOR THOUGHT, How about a Video Tour of your Jeep, any Mods and your Pro's and Cons about owning and operating it?

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

I have two Jeeps. A 1962 Willys CJ5 which is tough as nails. It's too slow to be practical though. This one is a 1994 YJ, 4 cylinder mostly stock. I took off the sway bar and both track bars and it's much better off road. It's been pretty good for us. Of course there are much more capable vehicles, but, you're going to pay for them. It is underpowered for highway driving but fine off road. If it fell apart tomorrow I would still feel like I got my money's worth out of it. 👍👍

[@moparedtn]

That poor Jeep! Y'all sure show confidence in roads on the edge of cliffs....I'd be thinking "landslide" the whole time. 🙂 I forget - what model year is that Jeep anyways? Y'all be safe and thanks as always, - Ed on the (more stable) Ridge

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Ed, it's a 1994 YJ, 4 cylinder. It's a pretty tough little bugger. Think of hauling ore down those roads in an old truck. Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@AZRob56]

Tom & Julie, Interesting and historic mining area. Most of the workings appear to be quite old. Nice camera work and narrative both of you. Nice rope in Tom. That one took some cajones.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

This mines in this area were first discovered in the 1880's with not a lot of production happening before the 1890's. Peak production occurred between the 1920's-1940's. I'm glad that I didn't try free climbing that ladder. I think I would have ended up at the bottom of that shaft with the rest of the debris that's down there. Thanks for the comment, Rob, much appreciated!👍👍

[@jdean1851]

Love those colorful minerals! Thanks for posting" Great Content! jd

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

We love the colorful minerals, too. Thanks for the comment, JD!👍👍

[@davidsellars646]

That little four-banger just crawls up those roads. I expect that there is a high level of driver skill also. My experience is that taking your time and easing over obstacles beats high-balling. Could you bring a piece of that blue rock to the surface next time you find some so we can see what it looks like in the sunlight? dave

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You don't necessarily need a lot of HP to crawl up most of these roads. I will try to bring up a blue rock so you can see it in the sunshine. Thanks for the comment, David!👍👍

[@MarkMunro-y8f]

Thankyou Tom and Julie. I thank GOD Tom took the slow way😂❤

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Mark. Thanks for watching. You never want to take the fast way down a mineshaft. 😲👍

[@michaelstrong3634]

Hello from Indiana. Thanks guys so much for sharing your adventures. We look forward every week to you videos

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hello Michael, in Indiana. Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!👍👍

[@DisVietVetUSA]

Nomenclature is interesting waste pile, talings pile, over burden, waste rock

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

The waste rock, or mine dump, is different from a tailings pile. Tailings come from processed ore after being milled. Over burden is the material that needs to be removed to get to the desired material. I see a lot of people using the word tailings for waste rock. I guess it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Thanks, Richard!😁

[@jimmystockdale7555]

I really liked the blues in that first little mine. I knew you would find some ladders if there were any. Nice trip y'all took us on, I like the color of your jeep. God bless you both.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

That first mine did have some good colors. I'm glad I was roped in on that ladder. It was not very sturdy. Glad you like the Jeep color. Thanks as always, Jimmy!👌👍

[@TheShornak]

Hello Julie and Tom. Short but sweet video. I was surprised at the end you didn't say goodbye as usual. But that's okay, still nice to see you two.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Well there was a lot more to the video but I chopped it off a little early. We'll make sure to sign off next time. Thanks for the comment, Stephen!👍👌

[@georgesmith8113]

Awesome views! Very enjoyable. Thanks J&T! 👍👍👍👊😎

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, George!👍👍👊😎

[@tonyidle7813]

Thank-you for another great video , since Julie normally goes first into the mines does she ever worry about running into a wild animal.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, we always are thinking about running into an animal in the mines. We start by making our presence known before we enter. Burros are one of the animals I worry about the most because of their size and their fondness for the inside of mines. Thanks for the comment, Tony!👍👍

[@markm-ci6rj]

I watch these videos and wonder how do they not get multiple punctures? How old is the Jeep, have you modified it?

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

We haven't had any flats yet. The Jeep is a 1994 YJ that we don't mind beating on a bit. It's mostly stock except for removing the track bars and sway bar which greatly improves the suspension travel and traction. Thanks for the comment, Mark!👍👍

[@onrycodger]

Wow! That was quite a drop. Wore me out just watching.😁👍👍

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha, didn't mean to wear you out. Thanks for commenting!👍😁

[@edgarnes1863]

Another great adventure tom and julie you guys rock thx for taking this ole man in ohio on a 5degree day to a beautiful mine thx and be safe

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome, Ed! Thanks for watching and hope you stay warm!👍👍

[@RickNelsonMn]

Great terrain and built up road or path. Love that decrepit trestle! The cable hoist deep shaft and stope indicating more.That first delivered what you promised! 🤘🏻😎 -17f overnight and currently -7f. Good thing to have the Mojave to roam. The next week though, 32-40+, so nearly balmy shorts weather 😂

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

That old trestle was fun to see. I always see ore cars in my mind running on the tracks when I see those trestles. Hope you can stay warm up there, Rick. Thanks for commenting!👍👍

[@markmunro8753]

Thank you Tom and Julie. I wonder how many ounces per ton?😂❤❤

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome, Mark. I couldn't tell you about the production numbers for this one. Thanks for commenting!👍😁

[@jonryan5339]

I sure enjoy watching your videos and the next adventure you go on. Always stay safe

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Jon. We appreciate it!👍

[@billloutzenheiser5397]

interesting, and isee Julie is walking the road in stead of being shook up like a paint can if she was in the jeep. :-)

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha, that's about it. She would rather hike than bounce. Thanks for the comment, Bill!😁👍

[@treasurehunter7771]

Neat old mine, thanks for taking me with you on this cold winter morning :)

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome. I hope you stay warm.🔥 Thanks for the comment!👍

[@Ed_in_Md]

Great video guys. Thanks for sharing!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Ed. Glad that you enjoyed it!!!👍😁

[@bigal3617]

great keep em coming but take care love your both love alan.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks for the nice comment, Alan. We appreciate it!👍👍

[@williamwintemberg]

Beautiful views once again! I'm amazed everytime I see the Jeep effortlessly crawling up the rocky roads. Thanks Tom and Julie!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

The Jeep is still going. Almost 200,000 hard miles on it. Thanks for watching and commenting, William!👍👌

[@williamwintemberg]

@TomandJulieMineExploring Wow! That's amazing! If the hard miles were mostly off-road, that would translate into double or triple normal use miles. That is quite a record.

[@johnj4788]

You guys are amazing!! Hello from Salem or.!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, John! Hope all is well in Salem!👍😁

[@lesleyrobbins1137]

Oooh boy, future episodes on the horizon!!!!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

I'd like to go back here soon. Thanks, Lesley!👍👍

[@cheycasters]

Knarley roads !! Thanks for the tour!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome, Cheyenne. Thanks for watching!👌👍

[@VendettaProspecting]

Man that was out there 🚀🚀

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, it was. Thanks for watching!👌👍

[@pmae9010]

Hey Tom and Julie, thanks for the tour and all the views.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome, Mick. Sorry, no engines in this one. 🙄

[@pmae9010]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring Well it's a good thing we are not done yet,we being you two.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Tom & Julie, some cool areas to explore, that waste rock pile was a modest size. That ladder has to be the sketchiest in existence lol, at least you had rope to have a look see what was down there. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 💞

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Sue, good to hear from you. Yes, that's a terrible ladder. I think that without the rope I would have taken the fast way to the bottom of that shaft. Thanks as always for watching. Hope all is well with you!👍❤️

[@SueGirling68]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring brings a whole new meaning to the words fast track huh. We are all holding on, the price of our energy bill has doubled in one month which isn't funny when you are only just surviving on benefits, I wish I wasn't so disabled then I could at least work. I hope you guys are doing okay ??? much love to you both. xx 💞

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

@@SueGirling68 oh no, I hope your energy bill comes down soon. Hang it there until the warmer weather comes. All is well for us, thanks for asking.❤️

[@markattardo]

Awesome adventure!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Mark!👍👍

[@tedfuchs9132]

Very enjoyable video. Makes me wish for a time machine to go back there for a day. I'm always amazed at how much punishment wood will hold up to.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Glad that you enjoyed it, Ted. The wood in this one is pretty rough, but still holding on. Thanks for the comment!👌

[@ralphpatrick3071]

My biggest fear on those rocky roads would be a puncture in a sidewall. Ever happen to you? And the rings on that ladder were so thin, 3/4-1”? Thanks, T&J! Always an adventure..😊

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Well I do think about that and I make sure my spare is holding air. My tires are shredded from the sharp rocks and they only have about 10,000 miles on them. No sidewall tears though. That ladder was one of the worst I've seen. The only worse one that I can think of used thin dynamite box wood to replace broken rungs. Thanks for commenting, Ralph!👍👍

[@janblake9468]

Back in the 1990's, a protruding sharp rock hidden by a bush ripped open both right sidewalls on my 4x4. Had to back down the canyon for a mile to our camp after I put the spare on the right rear. Right front tire became shredded. Nearest town was 30 miles away so It took quite awhile to fix.

[@janblake9468]

At 3:57, that is a gantry headframe. A hoist on rollers ran back and forth on the central beam. The hoist could have been manual with a hand-over-hand chain or motor driven.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, and that is the first gantry style head frame that I can recall seeing. I'm guessing there was a powered hoist of some kind since that looks to be a deep shaft. Thanks for your input, F!👍👍

[@janblake9468]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring There is another gantry headframe in the Providence Mtns, Mojave National Preserve. It is over a shallow mine shaft so likely was manual.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

@@janblake9468 Now that you've refreshed my memory I did see that one when we were making this video.

[@ORYNDA1]

What beautiful scenery and view from the tops of those mountains. Those roads were steep and that first tailing pile went down into that canyon forever. The mines were fun and that ladder looked quite bouncy. Bottom of the last mine looked tore up, glad you decided to come out. What year is your jeep Tom? love the half doors with the soft top! Take care and stay safe.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

The desert scenery is beautiful if you like that type of landscape, which we do. That was a terrible ladder, glad I was roped in. The Jeep is a 1994 mostly stock 4 banger. Thanks for the comment!👍👍

[@lisaelzea2168]

Great video! Love the beautiful scenery. That tobacco can was really cool, also that ladder bridge was pretty sketchy, glad you made it across and back fine. I bet you weren't thinking of any bills when you crossed it! Lol. You do a great job making these videos, keep up the good work! Looking forward to next Friday 😀

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Haha, okay Lisa. 😉 The can was cool and the bridge was sketchy all right. I'm too old for this stuff, maybe I'll go live in Mexico on the beach. Thanks for the nice comment! 😘

[@papa_ledbetter]

It amazes me how these early miners made all this work. For instance, water? Were there wells? Did they have to carry water out to the mines? I wonder how many hours they worked per day and did they work every day? So many questions about just how they lived and made this hard work pay and survive.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

All good questions. I don't believe there were a lot of wells here. To this day they still haul water to the nearest residents to this area. I'm guessing that where possible they would impound water from washes by building a dam creating what is called a tank. Other times we have seen water pipelines that run miles across the landscape from a spring to the mines. The longest pipeline we have seen was eight miles long. Towns/camps would spring up as mines were developed and just as quickly dissappear as soon as the ore body played out. They probably worked fairly long hours and I'm guessing as many days per week as they could tolerate because of the remote locations. Thanks for commenting!👍👍

[@eddie9903]

It is crazy for me to see those miners digging straight down like that. Boy those of vertical shafts look scary and sketchy. Thank you for taking me along with you guys. I love and miss you guys. Be safe out there.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

They must have followed an ore vein straight down. It seems like it would be more work than a horizontal adit. Miss you too, brother Eddie! Hope all is well at Happy2gether.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello Tom Hello Julie Thank you for the Video I am sorry for the late Response but here in germsny is so much going on that it is hard to stay on the trak for my Favorite Channels . Take care Best wishes Yours Frank Galetzka

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hello Frank. No worries my friend. Come and catch up when you can. Thanks for watching!👍❤️

[@raiderman8431]

Lol, you guys see getting a lot of exploring in some rough country done, would be a nice commercial for your jeep, pretty deep shaft that last one, nice job

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

This is rugged country all right. The shaft was pretty un to see. Thanks for the comment!👍

[@Jake-yx7ct]

And Tom found a ladder!!! Nice rope work sir. Thanks folks for the tours of some interesting locales in the Mojave mining area. 🤠❤

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Yes, I found a ladder, Jake. Not a very sturdy one though. I was happy to be on a rope. Thanks for watching and commenting!👍👍

[@tonycraib5939]

Thanks once again Tom and Julie for another great mine explore in your trusty little jeep

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Hi Tony. This area is a little rough on our stock Wrangler, but we didn't have any problems. Glad that you enjoyed the explore, and thanks for commenting!👌😁

[@granthryze2694]

That was one sketchy ladder ! My sis is in Millersburg, where you all from ?

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

We spend the summers in Central Oregon, South of Bend. We travel during the winter months. That ladder was terrible. Thanks for watching, Grant!👌😁

[@Robert-qt9lg]

No working levels What the H it was fun anyway I love watching you two beautiful views

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

There might be a small level a bit lower than I went. I might go back to fi d out. Thanks for watching, Robert!👍

[@charlesmartin3277]

You my best experience I lived ca nv orag wa idaho cm

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks for the comment, Charles!👍😊

[@brucelester6918]

Great exploration - you two are fearless! Very happy that Tom roped up on that shaft.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Bruce. That was not a good ladder.👍👌

[@btcruiser]

Nice - you two find some interesting places to explore!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, BT! Glad you liked the explore. 👍👍

[@AUMINER1]

That jeep earned it's weight in GOLD :)

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

That little Jeep is pretty tough for mostly stock and having almost 200K miles on it. It almost always surprises me where it will go.🚙😁

[@wendellharker6690]

Thanks Tom and Julie for a nice video.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

You're welcome, Wendell. Thanks for watching!👍👍

[@johntuttle4486]

I'm getting caught up on some of your videos and did not see the one where Julie announced that she had cancer until just a few moments ago. Julie, I'd wear that t-shirt, too! You rock! I see more recent videos, so I assume Julie is doing well? I wish both of you guys all the best and look forward to more explorations!

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thank you for the nice comment, John! Julie is doing well and is cancer free as far as we know. She does still take an oral chemo type drug though.👍❤️

[@johntuttle4486]

@@TomandJulieMineExploring OK, good to know. I know you will tough it out! You guys are our rock stars!

[@michaelkaiser4674]

another go morning you two you're the best.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Michael!👍👍😁

[@ronniecardy]

I would save that Tobacco can

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

It's probably been there for 80 years so I think it's safe. If nobody steals the can it should be there for another 100 years. Thanks, Ronnie!👌

[@kevinhorning3624]

wow, deep one guys.

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Kevin!👍👍

[@tednisbeth3088]

my hat off to you two

[@TomandJulieMineExploring]

Thanks, Ted!❤️