These are Talc mines. I used to work for a geotechnical testing company and I had some photographic assignments there. I have been in some of those mines. The largest date from WWII era and are big and level enough to drive a truck into. I went into to one that I was told had an old locomotive way back in it, but I turned around as I did not have sufficient lighting with me. I assume that some mining was either going on or being proposed as I was there for subsurface drilling tests in the early 90's and I hitched a ride to the mine on a truckload of gelgenite ( Blasting gel) ( like dynamite).
The trails that these mines are found on are also accessible from the fort mountain stables trails which all connect to goldmine branch trail, etc. in the state park. This is literally my back yard. I grew up on fort mountain. My family bought property on the mountain in the 1980s and we are still there. Feel free to message me for any info about the trails or area
I’m a local and go up to fort mountain every other week and would love to see these mines, the only trail I’ve walked on thus far is the one with the Fire Tower. I was wondering if you knew which trails I should hike to see these entrances?
Just found you videos. Growing up in this area, my dad would tell me stories that my grandpa would tell him about the mines. My grandpa was raised on Grassy Mountain and said that Grassy and Fort Mountain had a lot of silver mines on them. These may be part of them.
Interesting to know! I am not real familiar with history in Georgia as much as I am in Florida but I really enjoy learning and discovering it there! Let me know if you want to see these I'll help you out.
I know your comment was from several years ago but I'll reply anyway. I grew up on fort mountain and still have a lot of family that lives on the mountain. The trail that he is on in the video is actually very close to my place. There are some horse stables and trails on a dead end and the trails there branch off into the state park and run along goldmine branch. The mines are actually abandoned talc mines. One road that is close to the area is called Cliffmine road but was previously called Talc mine road. Alot of talc was mined on the mountain. I used to go exploring in the 'caves' growing up which was a little irresponsible because they cave in frequently and people long ago have been killed in the mines from cave ins. There is a cave close by off the beaten path that two people died in and supposedly their bodies were never recovered and still inside the cave.
On a side note: I love that area around fort mountain and it will always have a place in my heart and it is where I call home. If anyone is in the area I urge them to check out a local area that's an amazing and beautiful place to hike, swim, camp etc. Its a civilian conservation Corp (CCC) area called Emery Creek. At the foot of the mountain there is a little convenience store called Stallions. Beside it is Holly Creek Road. Drive to the end then turn on CCC Camp Road. Follow it out until it turns into a gravel drive and that is the entrance to a long gravel drive that cuts around Fort and Grassy Mountains running the whole way along side holly and Emery creek. Where holly branches off into emery creek the trail begins that runs for 10 miles or so. A couple miles in on the trail is a great campsite atop a double waterfall with a pool at the top fall backdropped with a huge rock face with water flowing down into the pool. It looks like a giant sized fountain. There are several waterfalls along the trail. Back on ccc camp road there are several gravel drives that branch off leading to hwy52 outside fort mountain state park going to Ellijay, GA then onto to blue ridge, dalonegha, Helen( a little mountain village that is made to resemble a Bavarian village and the road names are actually written in German)....
@@u.sonomabeach6528 thank you for the information! I live in tunnel hill and really appreciate all your info! It’s amazing stuff that you can’t just google
@@Anonymous-ip4qx I go to tunnel hill pretty often. From time to time I go to Grumpy's right off exit 341. I also go to the little creek beside the old railroad tunnel that tunnel hill was named after and its pretty damn creepy. So many people were killed in the tunnel. Beside it is an old plantation(I believe its a plantation) with a lot of huge walnut trees and a random grave in which a Civil War soldier's arm is buried lol. I go to the creek beside there to look for arrowheads and soft shell tutles(just to photograph).
Been into a couple of the old mines on Grassy Mountain with my grandpa,he said the Fort Mountain mines were too dangerous to even attempt to explore.Apparently the sandstone there collapses at the drop of a hat.
If the mines are on public lands they should have told you where to find them. As long as you don't go inside the gated areas it is Your land. Sometimes, while working along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas we encountered old mine shafts that park personnel did not know about, we marked these as dangerous sites for them to gate up. But these huge mines with heavy gates they most certainly are aware of.
the big mine i have been in my father in law drove a dump truck in and out of it . it goes down to a big room deep in side fort mountain.by the looks of it they took tons and tons of talc out of it.
These are Talc mines. I used to work for a geotechnical testing company and I had some photographic assignments there. I have been in some of those mines. The largest date from WWII era and are big and level enough to drive a truck into. I went into to one that I was told had an old locomotive way back in it, but I turned around as I did not have sufficient lighting with me. I assume that some mining was either going on or being proposed as I was there for subsurface drilling tests in the early 90's and I hitched a ride to the mine on a truckload of gelgenite ( Blasting gel) ( like dynamite).
at 2:55 that's an old funnel!
The trails that these mines are found on are also accessible from the fort mountain stables trails which all connect to goldmine branch trail, etc. in the state park. This is literally my back yard. I grew up on fort mountain. My family bought property on the mountain in the 1980s and we are still there. Feel free to message me for any info about the trails or area
I’m a local and go up to fort mountain every other week and would love to see these mines, the only trail I’ve walked on thus far is the one with the Fire Tower.
I was wondering if you knew which trails I should hike to see these entrances?
Just found you videos. Growing up in this area, my dad would tell me stories that my grandpa would tell him about the mines. My grandpa was raised on Grassy Mountain and said that Grassy and Fort Mountain had a lot of silver mines on them. These may be part of them.
Interesting to know! I am not real familiar with history in Georgia as much as I am in Florida but I really enjoy learning and discovering it there! Let me know if you want to see these I'll help you out.
I know your comment was from several years ago but I'll reply anyway. I grew up on fort mountain and still have a lot of family that lives on the mountain. The trail that he is on in the video is actually very close to my place. There are some horse stables and trails on a dead end and the trails there branch off into the state park and run along goldmine branch. The mines are actually abandoned talc mines. One road that is close to the area is called Cliffmine road but was previously called Talc mine road. Alot of talc was mined on the mountain. I used to go exploring in the 'caves' growing up which was a little irresponsible because they cave in frequently and people long ago have been killed in the mines from cave ins. There is a cave close by off the beaten path that two people died in and supposedly their bodies were never recovered and still inside the cave.
On a side note: I love that area around fort mountain and it will always have a place in my heart and it is where I call home. If anyone is in the area I urge them to check out a local area that's an amazing and beautiful place to hike, swim, camp etc. Its a civilian conservation Corp (CCC) area called Emery Creek. At the foot of the mountain there is a little convenience store called Stallions. Beside it is Holly Creek Road. Drive to the end then turn on CCC Camp Road. Follow it out until it turns into a gravel drive and that is the entrance to a long gravel drive that cuts around Fort and Grassy Mountains running the whole way along side holly and Emery creek. Where holly branches off into emery creek the trail begins that runs for 10 miles or so. A couple miles in on the trail is a great campsite atop a double waterfall with a pool at the top fall backdropped with a huge rock face with water flowing down into the pool. It looks like a giant sized fountain. There are several waterfalls along the trail. Back on ccc camp road there are several gravel drives that branch off leading to hwy52 outside fort mountain state park going to Ellijay, GA then onto to blue ridge, dalonegha, Helen( a little mountain village that is made to resemble a Bavarian village and the road names are actually written in German)....
@@u.sonomabeach6528 thank you for the information! I live in tunnel hill and really appreciate all your info! It’s amazing stuff that you can’t just google
@@Anonymous-ip4qx I go to tunnel hill pretty often. From time to time I go to Grumpy's right off exit 341. I also go to the little creek beside the old railroad tunnel that tunnel hill was named after and its pretty damn creepy. So many people were killed in the tunnel. Beside it is an old plantation(I believe its a plantation) with a lot of huge walnut trees and a random grave in which a Civil War soldier's arm is buried lol. I go to the creek beside there to look for arrowheads and soft shell tutles(just to photograph).
wow I live in Murray county and never new that mine was there
On what trail i live i north Georgia and never seen these mines
407 Trail - www.fortmountainstateparkhiking.com/301-401-407-loop-trail/index.html
Been into a couple of the old mines on Grassy Mountain with my grandpa,he said the Fort Mountain mines were too dangerous to even attempt to explore.Apparently the sandstone there collapses at the drop of a hat.
Lonnie Walker where at on grassy mountian are the mines located and at fort mountain
Looks like a neat place.. staying in the park, and wondering how to get to the mine.. Here now and the park staff would not tell...
If the mines are on public lands they should have told you where to find them. As long as you don't go inside the gated areas it is Your land. Sometimes, while working along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas we encountered old mine shafts that park personnel did not know about, we marked these as dangerous sites for them to gate up. But these huge mines with heavy gates they most certainly are aware of.
the big mine i have been in my father in law drove a dump truck in and out of it . it goes down to a big room deep in side fort mountain.by the looks of it they took tons and tons of talc out of it.
those are actually the caves of the moon eyes peoples 😂
We are headed up there this weekend. Looking forward to some hiking and just relaxing in th N Ga mountains.
Thanks for the video.