Scott! Now that's pretty sweet! You just need one of those Dukes of Hazzard air horns as you launch! lol

My truck should be ready end of November or early December, just waiting on a check and looking for a front axle!

Dennis

 

Just got around to viewing this whole thread thought I would share my photos from a few weeks back. Scott thank you for showing us this its an expeierience like no other and its hard to comprehend the history behind it all, I had an awesome time out there and can't wait to go find some more new mines and new terrain to explore enjoy the pics.

 

More pics

 

More pics 2

 

More pics 3

 

Great idea of a trip. I stumbled across your site just last night and it's really awesome. I'm out to sea for the rest of October, but I was wondering if you guys had a plan for the weekend of the 26/27 in November. I'd really like to go and take my truck. I have a stock 2002 Tacoma v6 4wd w/TRD package. Being out to sea just takes away quality time with my baby. Do you think my ride can keep up with you guys?

 

Well another great trip to add to the collection. We headed out past Dumont Dunes this time to do a portion of the Old Spanish Trail, check out a couple big Talc (sp?) mines as well as the biggest mines we have ever been in. Got to check out the War Eagle Mine, Columbian Mine and another one, forgot the name. Anyways. Here are the pics...

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Thought this looked like an old castle

 

This is coming up to the War Eagle Mine.

 

All the outcroppings had multible levels and tunnel systems that we have yet to explore, as well as an old bridge for transportation of material

 

The bridge...

We hiked to the other side to the tunnel enterance and found some messages from previous visitors saying "made it to the other side 10-?-2001 - Mark & Jen" as well as some others. Im guessing it went all the way through. Definatly coming back to explore this!

 

This is at the Columbian Mine hiking up the path to the mine entances

 

Inside the mine.

This mine had to many lefts, rights, ups, downs it was crazy. We made it all the way to the end on the level we were on but wernt able to get to the other levels without some type of repelling equipment.

 

Another...

During the first 100 or so feet, the mine had a lot of openings, im guessing they extracted the vain all the way to the top and continued to go inside the mountain

 

Freakin' Saaaaweet.

 

Found this all by itself away from all the mines and foundations. Wonder why?

 

An old air compressor. I cant imagine the noise this and the machine powering it made during operation. Then all the blasting and extracting. Hope they had ear plugs.

 

And the worst part of the whole trip, going home...

At least there is halloween (get to go bash the truck) then the Death Valley run following that so I think my dezert withdraws will be at a minimum.

 

These are the mines I told Scott about! These are some of the best ones I've been to. This whole district has some of the longest, accessable and best preserved mines. Did you guys check out the mine with the carbon writing on the timbers? Sayings like "boil me like an egg", "soak me like a sponge" . I just can't remeber the mine names right now lol. That same mine had a pretty sweet dump also, we found a few cool bottles buried in with the cans and stuff. We had always called them something a little different then their REAL name to hide there location(War eagle we called Peace Dove ect.)....it was in one of these mines you guys just came from on one of the lower levels where we found BOXES of crystalized dynomite! Like I said some of the best and most preserved mines I've been to are in that district!

Dennis

 

Yeah your truck won't have any problem keeping up. We really don't go flying through the desert on these trips, It's important to bring you and your truck home. And if anything, It's more about respect for the desert and your fellow off roaders for us.
We may plan a trip around that time and your welcome to come along for some Mine Hunting. Scott

 

Dude, that area was the best so far!. I can't believe I went pass these mines 10 years ago and didn't stop (thanks to my now ex-wife who didn't want to check them out).

This was one of the largest mine area's I have been to other then the silver mines in Calico. But unlike Calico these mines have been left alone. I think mainly because of there location (middle of no-where) and the fact there also some of the most Dangerous mines in the desert. There are hidden shafts everywhere and tunnel cave-in's which I think keeps most people away.
So how's the 4Runner doing and when'ya ready for another one. Scott

Pic1 Sign
pic2 Old train depot foundation. You can also see the grade in the back ground
pic3 High ground clearance is a must