It was great seeing you that day!!! 😎 Just as I was plugging in the coordinates for home, seen you drive in. But, at least you can say Mocanaqua better than me, lol! Thumbs up and great explore!
Was going the wrong way a few times while we were hiking...asking ATV riders for directions and helped us get on the right path. There was also 2 guys back there exploring the abandoned railroad portion who was really knowledgeable and passionate about what they were exploring (and they're fans of your channel ;-) ). Talked to them for a good hour. I learned a lot about the history from them. And it only took us 35 minutes to hike back once we found what we were looking for, lol.
Great video, my great grandfather was a miner in Mocanaqua. When I was younger I remember my great aunt offering to show me were some of the air shafts were, she said that the kids would hangout by the openings in the summer to catch some of the cold air coming from the mines.
I have hiked the loop trails MANY times. The area was mostly pit and strip mined. However there are some open holes that were probably illegal prospects. I don't have coords, but on the return portion of the green loop, there is a definite spider hole just off the trail. A constant cold draft comes out of it even on the hottest days. You've only scratched the surface of the ruins back there. And the rock climbers call that wall The Library. There is also an awesome overlook of the Susquehanna river on the top on the other side.
Great video my Sir! Just be careful of those rock outcrops and "caves"!!! This time of year the Timber Rattlers and Copperheads are just coming out of their dens, which are in those caves and rock crevices, and congregating on the rocks sunning themselves. Keep bringing us these nice adventures.
Been out there several times, I don’t remember seeing those buildings. If you came in from the other side near Glen Lyon, There’s the Bat Caves which were I believe workings, there’s also another set of ruins for another building with a concrete shed and a mine slope not too far away. The slope only goes down 50-100 feet before you hit a collapse. The former Teasdale Section of Newport Twp was that area.
I love these strolls through the woods. Down my way we have lots of Civil war and other historical locations. Near Camp David the Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Furnace, etc.
There were some ruins right behind you nearer the river at around the 0:24 mark in the video. Random Outdoor Fun explored them a bit in her video. Plus I distinctly recall seeing a much larger opening in her video that may or may not be the same spot JPVideos went into in their video.
If you end up back in that area be very careful Blue coal left vent shafts all over both sides of Penobscot mountain (my back yard) from Maqu up to Wilkes-Barre the Nanitcoke side was later strip-mined and then earth Conservancy did their thing but the Slocum township & Pondhill side is mostly untouched.
I think that the building you said looks like a church, it could be the power house. The "basement" area you saw looked to be the shape of a stationary engine they would use for power in the mines and homes.
I think my comments go erased by mistake. I am not good at computers at all. You do such a good job and love your shows, as they are so interesting. I can't get out as I am disabled, but in my younger years I did love to travel, but now its different. And I love your new hat, that you have to wear its so cool for that you are doing. I use to be an artist, but am loosing my sight, and its not fun at all. Good luch to you.
Don't think I could make it down there... Don't think I want to jump in there... Not sure I should crawl in there... Maybe I'll just leave that alone.... There he goes, every time!
Was just here yesterday. At 6:28 (ish) in your video your at a "rock" structure, that looks like it could go at any time.. go back and visit it again 😉 I took some pictures yesterday clearly showing block work. I'd be more than happy to share them with you if you're interested. Also check out Jon Levi's videos here on RUclips. Might give you a fresh set of eyes when looking at "rocks"
Edit again: listened to that section of video again, you didn't refer to it as anything. My bad. Either way, it is not just a rock for anyone that goes to visit here.. clear block work is visible. There's lots of evidence of buildings (rock, concrete and brick) that melted all over the world. I'm hoping to get back here in the spring to check out the larger "rock" structures to see what kinds of evidence can be found, if any.
Ugh.. clarification. Not just melted. In this particular case I'm not sure what happened. What you see though is something that looks like one, mostly solid rock. When inspecting it further though you see blocks, what looks like an almost collapsed opening, on the front of that you can see something similar to brick work in the shape of a column. Totally different from the other collapsed buildings/foundations around it. Also appearing more like the rock structure later in your video. Where you have a collapsed structure on top of a "rock" off the trail.. next time I get out there I'm going to check out that rock further to see if that shows signs similar to the "unsafe rock" around 6:28 in your video.
It was great seeing you that day!!! 😎
Just as I was plugging in the coordinates for home, seen you drive in.
But, at least you can say Mocanaqua better than me, lol!
Thumbs up and great explore!
I didn't think I would run into guys that day, I got there later than I thought I would.
Was going the wrong way a few times while we were hiking...asking ATV riders for directions and helped us get on the right path. There was also 2 guys back there exploring the abandoned railroad portion who was really knowledgeable and passionate about what they were exploring (and they're fans of your channel ;-) ). Talked to them for a good hour. I learned a lot about the history from them.
And it only took us 35 minutes to hike back once we found what we were looking for, lol.
@@RusticVentures my favorite hiking spot!! I live close and hike and fish here often as possible.
Great video, my great grandfather was a miner in Mocanaqua. When I was younger I remember my great aunt offering to show me were some of the air shafts were, she said that the kids would hangout by the openings in the summer to catch some of the cold air coming from the mines.
I truly appreciate and enjoy the video's that you do. Thank you my friend.
I have hiked the loop trails MANY times. The area was mostly pit and strip mined. However there are some open holes that were probably illegal prospects. I don't have coords, but on the return portion of the green loop, there is a definite spider hole just off the trail. A constant cold draft comes out of it even on the hottest days. You've only scratched the surface of the ruins back there. And the rock climbers call that wall The Library. There is also an awesome overlook of the Susquehanna river on the top on the other side.
Thanks for the info, I will be back there again someday
Great video my Sir! Just be careful of those rock outcrops and "caves"!!! This time of year the Timber Rattlers and Copperheads are just coming out of their dens, which are in those caves and rock crevices, and congregating on the rocks sunning themselves. Keep bringing us these nice adventures.
I'll keep my eyes open for them
love ur stuff man! don’t stop ur yappin! we like it
Been out there several times, I don’t remember seeing those buildings. If you came in from the other side near Glen Lyon, There’s the Bat Caves which were I believe workings, there’s also another set of ruins for another building with a concrete shed and a mine slope not too far away. The slope only goes down 50-100 feet before you hit a collapse. The former Teasdale Section of Newport Twp was that area.
I love these strolls through the woods. Down my way we have lots of Civil war and other historical locations. Near Camp David the Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Furnace, etc.
I hope to get down that way sometime
Make sure you go back there. One of your best vids. Awesome terrain...
I will be back
There were some ruins right behind you nearer the river at around the 0:24 mark in the video. Random Outdoor Fun explored them a bit in her video. Plus I distinctly recall seeing a much larger opening in her video that may or may not be the same spot JPVideos went into in their video.
I have talked with both of them and will back there someday again.
Incredible hike and ruins!! Thanks Cliff you find thr most amazing places!
Man, that was a really ambitious hike ! Surely not an easy one. Thanks for the effort.
Hiked that area in college nearly 50 years ago no maps then really takes me back thanks for another great video keep it up
Hi Cliff, what an interesting and pretty area, lots to explore with cool history too. Thanks for sharing. x
Hopefully I'll get back there someday again
Men, mules, mallets and dynamite. That's all they had. We would never have made it a day back then. Amazing!
If you end up back in that area be very careful Blue coal left vent shafts all over both sides of Penobscot mountain (my back yard) from Maqu up to Wilkes-Barre the Nanitcoke side was later strip-mined and then earth Conservancy did their thing but the Slocum township & Pondhill side is mostly untouched.
Lived in area all my life. This trail is on my list to do yet. We go on generational hikes with family. Ok for ages 9-12?
I think that the building you said looks like a church, it could be the power house. The "basement" area you saw looked to be the shape of a stationary engine they would use for power in the mines and homes.
Those are some interesting old mines.
Love all your explores 😊
Interesting adventure!
Iron bell tower. Funerals, weddings, etc...
One of these days you're going to shine your light in a badger's face and he won't like it.
I think my comments go erased by mistake. I am not good at computers at all. You do such a good job and love your shows, as they are so interesting. I can't get out as I am disabled, but in my younger years I did love to travel, but now its different. And I love your new hat, that you have to wear its so cool for that you are doing. I use to be an artist, but am loosing my sight, and its not fun at all. Good luch to you.
That's a tough hike. Just miles from me
I hate the degenerates who graffiti our beautiful landscape.
I love that place,,,,,,cool
Took a ride back that trail today found 2 mines.
Don't think I could make it down there... Don't think I want to jump in there... Not sure I should crawl in there... Maybe I'll just leave that alone.... There he goes, every time!
You should get a drone. In the fall and winter I'm sure it would increase your finds.
It's on my wish list
Was just here yesterday. At 6:28 (ish) in your video your at a "rock" structure, that looks like it could go at any time.. go back and visit it again 😉 I took some pictures yesterday clearly showing block work. I'd be more than happy to share them with you if you're interested. Also check out Jon Levi's videos here on RUclips. Might give you a fresh set of eyes when looking at "rocks"
Edit again: listened to that section of video again, you didn't refer to it as anything. My bad. Either way, it is not just a rock for anyone that goes to visit here.. clear block work is visible. There's lots of evidence of buildings (rock, concrete and brick) that melted all over the world. I'm hoping to get back here in the spring to check out the larger "rock" structures to see what kinds of evidence can be found, if any.
Ugh.. clarification. Not just melted. In this particular case I'm not sure what happened. What you see though is something that looks like one, mostly solid rock. When inspecting it further though you see blocks, what looks like an almost collapsed opening, on the front of that you can see something similar to brick work in the shape of a column. Totally different from the other collapsed buildings/foundations around it. Also appearing more like the rock structure later in your video. Where you have a collapsed structure on top of a "rock" off the trail.. next time I get out there I'm going to check out that rock further to see if that shows signs similar to the "unsafe rock" around 6:28 in your video.
Oh my goodness I live about 10 miles from there
Looked like a baptistry
Not all that is gold, glitters
Chapel?
that had to be a big mine for those buildings to be there not a small mine!!!!!!!!!
It's too bad we don't have information on what ruins were and what they looked like.