@KingsnakeSince1986 yeah that's a pretty shitty area lol. I used to live in Phoenix. Since 1986 huh? Me too. If that's your birthday. We're birthday year buddies.
this video actually some what as got me dreaming looks like a great place to bring the whole family you no like why not make a day outing of it as they go their ways i go mine as on with my life leaving them deeply thought of as far from my mind as left behind like canaries in a coal mine literally speaking but of course i am i guess just joking as well yes its just a dream inacents enough said on by part but then to mind what at times its like thinking as its so darn nice to dream a bit just to find some peace of my own mine after all things said and done in my day i worked my ass off for it yet i never see any of it as the family take care of it all for me but as what be it what if the money was all mine like almost free for me as once to feel for one time in my life what it must be like to strike it so rich lol all the way to the bank well thats my wife i mean i meant my life as please excuse me as while i mine my thoughts and dreams
Every so often, a viewer will make a similar request like you just made. I'm afraid, though, that an unedited video would be boring. It would be a lot of footage of me walking through tunnels or bushwhacking through dense vegetation or hiking up an old dirt road, etc.. I don't know -- maybe sometime I'll try it out. Thanks for the interesting suggestion!
@@AbandonedMines11 I love the live stream idea, you would be surprised how much the walk in and quieter moments would enhance the mine exploration. Breath before the plunge into the abyss.
Safety has always been paramount during the last 10 or 12 years that I have been doing this. I really don’t explore and document mines much anymore since I announced my retirement back in May 2017. However, I’m still getting out there once in a long while. And, yes, safety is still paramount. Always has been. Always will be. Thanks for your comment, and thanks for checking out the video!
Hi Frank! Another awesome video of another awesome abandoned mine! I'm very happy you're adding more mines to your adventures, you're the one who got me interested in them, thank you! Looks like Drew was having a great time and I hope you were too!! Take care and stay safe out there!! xoxo
It was Drew's first time in an abandoned mine so, yes, he had a blast despite the lack of extensive "tunnel time." Glad to hear that my videos got you interested in exploring abandoned mines. Always cool to hear that. By the way, I forgot to mention in my last reply to your last comment that I like your new avatar here. Cute picture!
Been a subscriber for ~3 years. I'm genuinely surprised that you haven't gone missing on some of these remote areas. Even more so considering you've experienced paranormal activity on more than one occasion. Are you familiar with David Paulides' work? I notice that you carry a SPOT beacon on your journeys, do you also carry a firearm? Love the content by the way. I live in Southern California and plan on joining the NPS out of Sonoma later this year. I dream of being able to do the sort of things you do here on this channel; can't stand city life.
Thank you for being a subscriber for these last few years! I really appreciate that. I’m not familiar with that gentleman’s work that you mentioned. I’ll have to look him up. I’m assuming he’s a fellow explorer, right? Sounds like you are enjoying the videos here on my channel, so thank you for that. I applaud your efforts to join the National Park Service. Sounds like you have a passion for that sort of thing.
@@AbandonedMines11 David Paulides is a former Police Officer who covers the shocking amount of strange disappearances in National Parks. Look up missing 411 if your interested
The flooded mines aren't my favorites either. But, as an abandoned mine explorer, sometimes you have to do them and make the best of it. At the end of the day, I was so glad I had brought a clean change of clothes. You mentioned falling down a shaft. In the first mine in this video, I show that pipe and drill bit sticking up out of the water next to the ore cart tracks. As I mentioned in the video in a caption, those might've been marking where a shaft (winze) was in the tunnel floor. The old map we saw of that mine showed a winze not too far inside the tunnel entrance. Looking at the footage, I don't see a winze there under the water, but it could've been all filled in with silt and mud over the past century.
nick rogers Hey, thanks Nick for your comment! Not sure when that metal door was installed but I would think it was installed when the mine closed down in the 1930s or thereabouts. Back then, I’m sure the mine was completely dry because they probably had to use pumps continually to keep it from flooding. Once they closed down, the mine gradually filled up with water to the state that it is today. It’s my guess that all of the lower workings are probably underwater. The upper workings above the main tunnel where the door is might possibly still be dry. It’s reported that there were about 10 miles of tunnels in this particular mine, so that’s a lot of tunneling! It would be cool to see some of it if not most of it.
@@AbandonedMines11 Now you have me wondering what's behind the door and when your going back to have a look-see also I was wondering if you think that there might be another entrance to the mine? I really enjoy your videos and the only other one I watch is Frank's channel Exploring Abandoned Mines up in BC Canada where I am from. I was wondering if you guys have ever met? It would be wild to see you guys do an explore together. Take care n' Cheers
As usual it’s a fantastic video, it’s a shame conditions didn’t allow for further exploration that day. I was impressed with the old equipment outside the mine, I had no idea IR has been around that long. Thanks for sharing, stay safe.
Thanks for your comment, Dan! If I can remember correctly, Ingersoll-Rand invented the first mining drill or something like that back in 1871. The rest is history.
I have this dream every year where my mom drives me to this mountain with my friends at night and we explore these abandoned sewer tunnels that leads to a giant gave and this looks exactly like it
Is your name really Jonah? Because if it is, I saw the name “Jonah” scratched into the flooded tunnel wall next to that partially open door. LOL! Just kidding!
If I can remember correctly, the second mine has not been worked since the 1930s. I have been in flooded mines before but have never encountered silt like what we found in the second tunnel. I can appreciate when you say that the sheer amount of silt in the second mine entrance makes it very dangerous. When I stepped into the silt to see if we could make our way over to the door, both of my feet sank in up to my knees. It was extremely difficult to pull my feet free from that. I now have a newfound respect for such conditions considering that I have never experienced silt and mud like that before in abandoned mines. I had asked in another reply to someone else’s comment if there have been cases where people have actually gotten stuck in deep silt like that and required rescue. That would be a hell of a thing to experience! I think my idea of using an innertube and floating over to the door to see what’s behind it is a good idea. Like I said in the video, I think there is a major collapse behind that door due to the absence of any airflow and from what I could glimpse beyond the door when I zoomed-in with my camera.
I went to explore a mine the othe week. Was told that we wouldnt need our caving suits as there was no water. Before I knew it, we were upto our navals in water, in jeans and jumper. Nice to see you do one with water in for a change.
I didn't recognize your channel name. Looks like you're new on RUclips as of a few months ago! Welcome! Looks like you've been busy exploring mines in the UK. Awesome! I'll add your channel's link to my RUclips channel's homepage on the right-hand side where it says "Check Out These Other Awesome Channels!" Thanks for stopping by and commenting, man! Yes, I'm not accustomed to flooded mines, that's for sure. Definitely was a change of pace for me.
Thanks very much. I actually had the mining videos on another channel but these were now and again and the main content is unrelated, so decided to move them to their own channel. These are upto 3 years old. Been following your adventures since the early days. Thanks again, appreciated.
Hey, Zachary! Drew had already hiked down to the mine a couple months ago, so he warned me about the poison oak. It was everywhere as we bushwhacked down the hillside. For some reason, though, I didn't get any on me. It really was everywhere. Guess I lucked out.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Pharraoh! The unknown and unexplored mines are the best ones for obvious reasons. I'm still not totally comfortable with flooded mines, but the more of them I do, the better I feel about them. Good luck exploring the unknown mind you found. Will be interested to see your video of it.
Your channel is so outstanding! I'd like to do that kind of exploration, but unfortunately I don't neither have enough money nor the situation in my country allows me to do that activity. However I'd like to know what equipment you use to explore mines. I'll be really happy If you answer me. Thanks for reading!
I always have a Camelback full of water and other supplies. Those supplies include things like extra batteries, extra lights, my SPOT beacon, first aid kit, and things like that. Also, I always wear a helmet and sturdy boots. I’m also outfitted, as I show in this video, with an oxygen detector and a hydrogen sulfide gas detector. Thanks for checking out the vids here, Aaron! And thanks for your comment!
Really neat how there’s an open metal door in a flooded mine/cave. I don’t know, but that just seems like the beginning of so many horror and fantasy tales haha.
I agree! Drew and I were so curious as to whether or not the tunnel behind the door was unblocked or not. This mine has over 10 miles of interconnected tunnels, so it would be a doozy to explore and document. Granted, I think most of those tunnels (especially the lower ones) are probably completely flooded, but we still don't know for sure....
Frank , thank you for using your head with the detectors . This Week TVR posted his 3rd video about the Soviet Lead mine and had a Detector go off . Hydrogen sulfide and he retreated quickly . He is very brave but did not stick around when that happened , No Delay he left . He wants to make videos for us to see so he did not fool around at all with that warning . I am glad you guys take precautions . You are more valuable then all of the Gold that they took out of that mine ! Nice meeting Drew .
Yes, the detectors are very valuable to have. Being that I’m basically retired from this hobby, there was really no need for me to get a hydrogen sulfide gas detector. However, I had some extra money laying around so I thought I’d get one for the hell of it. I’m glad I did because it came in handy on this trip. Flooded and wet mines definitely have a higher risk of hydrogen sulfide gas, that’s for sure. Normally I never found myself in flooded mines back when I was doing this regularly, so the need for a hydrogen sulfide gas detector was never really that imperative. At any rate, thanks for your comment, Mark!
Hey, Mark! Thanks for your comment and question! In this particular mine, I would say the tunnel was about 7 to 8 feet tall from what I can remember. Pretty typical. Some mines have narrower tunnels with lower ceilings. It just depends. More modern mines from the 1980s and on can have huge tunnels that were dug to accommodate large dump trucks and things like that. Regardless, we all wear helmets because head bumps are quite common! Thanks again for checking out this video -- I appreciate it!
Yes, I think at the end of this video I show footage of us attempting to enter the Pine Tree Mine. That was a tight squeeze to get into the entry tunnel, and there was a steel door partially open not too far inside. However, I sank down in all of the mud and silt that is in that entry tunnel. It was up to my knees! Almost got stuck in there, as a matter of fact! Drew went back by himself a week or two later and took an inner tube in there and floated over to the steel door. He said there was a giant collapse behind it blocking the way which is what I had surmised as well even though I didn’t get a good look at it when I was in there. It would be also impossible to open that steel door any further than it already is due to the mud and silt. I have partially located some other entrances that are much higher up on the hillside but haven’t gotten back there yet to check them out. Do you remember how you entered the mine? Was that main portal with the steel door open when you were there?
There's another entrance further back on the mountain down in the canyon that was still open. Although there is water in there also, it didn't appear to be as deep as what you encountered. Next time you go out that way, I would be more than happy to show you where I saw it.
Drew went back to this mine by himself and found another entrance off to the side which we think leads to the level above the flooded level that you see in this video. He didn’t go in very far because he was by himself. I need to get back up there and finish off the exploration one of these days.
Thanks for your comment and suggestion, Ben! I had heard of the Alvord Mine a long time ago - like 10 years ago. But I had always assumed that it was closed up and no longer accessible. Are you thinking of the Waterman Mine instead?
Just got back from there today, a friend from work recommend it to me. Alvord Mine California goo.gl/maps/SH3XY2cNXH4r9Hr78 High clearance vehicle/ 4x4 recommended. We were able to drive almost to one of the entrances, we parked the truck at the ruined build south of the marker on the link, it’s a huge gold mine! Tons of quartz, I think there’s still gold ore up there if you know what to look for.
I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Thank you! Yes, Drew earned +1000 experience points on his first abandoned mine exploration. LOL
Me too! There were lots of little frogs of different colors in the first flooded mine tunnel. Quite a change for me since I'm used to encountering only bats and pack-rats in the dry mines in the desert southwest where I'm usually exploring at.
The ones in this video were found by the other guy who was with me. Otherwise, it's best to scour Google Earth and topographic maps looking for mines. Old mining reports are also another great resource. And use other explorers' websites, videos, photographs, and trip reports.
Hey, Paul! The old mining report I saw wasn't too specific. It mentioned the 9000 tons of crushed ore in the first year. After that, it says that the present operator crushed another 1300 tons. That's all the information that was given on production. Other reports might have more detailed information, but I haven't found those yet. Also, the report says that a compressor was the only equipment onsite and was used to power three drills inside the mine.
I know of an old mine near Placerville CA that goes into a mountain of solid quartz. It has the look of an ice cave inside. Very cool! You can see the bottom of what's left of blast holes with cracks going outward like spider webs.
Thanks for your comment. It's too bad Drew and I were unable to access the upper levels in the first mine. However, the air blowing at us from behind that collapse means there is another opening somewhere else that we don't know about -- yet.
Simon Tay That’s a pretty substantial collapse. I would be afraid that by removing rocks, more rocks might fall down from above. I don’t know - the fact that air was blowing through it means that it can’t be that substantial of a collapse or that thick. However, I think it would be easier to try to find the other opening higher on the hillside.
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places I think that a shovel is a bad idea. Those places are to old to dig, at least in my opinion. I would be scared even to talk in those places :P
@@AbandonedMines11 Frank first and foremost I wish you health and happiness, your exploration videos are outstanding, as long as you make them I'll be here watching them!!!!!!
I've run across a set of open mines sort of in that area but didn't venture very far in with just my phone flashlight. They are between Oakhurst and Mariposa
I think that Western "Compressor" may actually be the engine to drive the I-R compressor. Western made big engines that looked like that, and it has a clutch handle on the flywheel pulley. If you have any pictures of the head area, (the opposite end of the cylinder from the flywheel), and any other valve linkage or other fittings on the head it should be possible to tell if it's an engine or a compressor. If that's an engine, I would guess it would be between 20 and 30 horsepower.
Thanks for the detailed information on that piece of machinery. I have no idea what I’m looking at sometimes at some of these abandon mines. I always appreciate it when you viewers share your knowledge about these things. Thanks for doing that!
@@AbandonedMines11here's a video of what looks very similar. ruclips.net/video/t19DRKx1cck/видео.html I have run up to a 200 horsepower Western engine lol If you ever want to see the old engines like that running, including some from various mines in California and Nevada etc, look up the Great Oregon Steam Up, up just north of Salem at the Powerland Heritage Park. It's over 2 weekends towards the end of summer. We have a large collection of old stationary engines that are run during the steam up, and various other events there, as well as all sorts of other old equipment from steam tractors to a steam sawmill, and ancient tractors, logging equipment, etc, nearly all of it rebuilt and being run and demonstrated. That engine looks still in excellent shape and pretty easily returned to running condition most likely, and I know a bunch of people who would love to aquire it lol
@@AbandonedMines11 the second one, that first one is actually quite hard to spot unless you're someone with a good eye, it's very overgrown and most would probably not see those tailings at first glance especially from a distance.
Cool! Thanks for the reply. Yes, the first mine is really overgrown. Had to bushwhack down to it which was kind of tough. The airflow coming through that collapse means there is another opening somewhere else on the hillside. Would love to find that and access the uppermost workings.
It was surprising to see the frogs. Normally I am in abandoned mines out in the desert where there is no life-sustaining water or moisture whatsoever. This renders the mines virtually lifeless except for pack rats and the occasional bat.
Frank, you didn't use waders? You must have had frozen feet! Also, the frogs were a good indicator of the atmosphere in mine #1: Live frog, good air; dead frog ---
I don’t own a pair of waders, Stan. Santa Claus never brought me a pair at Christmas. I prefer to use an old pair of hiking boots anyway and just tough it out. Drew had waders, though, but the water came up to and just above our knees, so his waders were full of water to the brim. In that second mine tunnel, I really did sink into the mud up to the bottom of my kneecaps! For a few seconds there I thought I was going to be stuck in there forever. It was really difficult to pull my feet out of all of that muck. I wonder if anybody has ever gotten stuck in mud like that? I suppose if you sunk in all the way up to your groin, yes, that could immobilize you completely. Scary thought! The experience of me sinking into the mud up to my kneecaps gave me a newfound respect for such conditions in abandoned mines.
Yeah, I picked up the hydrogen sulfide gas detector a couple months ago. Being that I’m basically retired from this hobby, there was really no need to buy it. I had some extra money laying around, so I thought I would get one for the hell of it. Sure enough, it came in handy on this spur-of-the-moment trip. Thanks for checking out the video, man! I appreciate it.
Frank, great video as usual! That deep water is a bit sketchy, especially with the possibility of winzes. Just curious where you find the tunnel maps? All I've been able to find locally is total tunnel workings, one of which was 23 miles!
Thanks for your comment, Douglas! I don’t know if you heard in the video but the map we saw of this mine sort of indicated a possible winze not too far inside the entrance. I think maybe those metal rods that were on the right hand side of the tunnel might have been marking where that winze was. I looked at the footage again up close and I don’t see any winze there under the water, but if there was one it may have filled up over time with mud and silt. These mines go way back to the late 1800s, so they have had more than a century to fill up any such winze or vertical shafts with silt and mud. Maps of the mines can sometimes be found in old mining reports. That’s where I get all of mine.
That’s a good way of looking at that! I never considered that perspective before. But I think you’re right! Hey, thanks for checking out the video and for leaving your insightful comment.
This reminds me of the Tubal Cain mine that’s a couple hours away from me. It’s an old manganese mine from about 1909, and it has a stream flowing out of it. The hooks in the wall reminded me since Tubal Cain still has those left to hang the old ventilation ducts. I want to explore and document it like this.
I’ve been in many abandoned mines that date back to the late 1800s like this one does, but I have never seen a metal hook like I did in this one. I think they are quite rare! I would guess that they usually don’t last too long due to the moisture content and other environmental factors. The one in this video looked like it was ready to fall off the wall.
Sure you know this already, but the presence of frogs is a good indicator for clean water, as amphibians are particularly sensitive to pollution.. What a great video. Very interesting. Cheers
Not sure. I read that a compressor was used to power the drills, so who knows! Big pieces of machinery, though, that were probably brought to the mine site by horse and wagon. No cars back in the 1870s!
You need to get up into the Red Dog and UBet areas around Grass Valley and Nevada City, CA. Not only hard rock mining shafts everywhere but hydraulic mining areas also, AND, still plenty of GOLD!!!
When? I lived way up past Greenhorn Creek, do you know where the waterfall was on the creek about 4 miles or so up?? We built a 16x32 ft cabin and gold mined back in 1979! Went to Seven Hills Elementary and Nevada Union my freshman year
@@jamesdougherty7702 1997 to 2008, just before the bridge. The Greenhorn creek area got really trashy unfortunately. People burning cars and such. Originally from Colfax, now in Minnesota
We lived there from 79-81, we used to get our water every morning right under the bridge! They had dig out a big pit that summer to make a swimming hole. You know where the big area was where they hydralic mined up there? My brother fell into a cavern back in there, broke his back, took us 3 hours to find a way in to get him!!
Thanks for your comment, Jake! Jeremy and I explored the nine levels in the abandoned Black Mine a few years ago. As I was crawling past a clogged ore chute, the rocks in the chute suddenly gave way and started tumbling out of the chute onto my head. I thought for a second I was going to buried alive -- or at least my head and upper torso. The footage of the tumbling rocks is in the first minute or two of that video, and the video is here if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/p6akuzMpVF4/видео.html
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places thanks for the reply! I’ll definitely check that video out. Edit: Ended up watching the video and that looked pretty sketchy. However it was probably one of the coolest mines I’ve seen with all of the old artifacts. The grease for the rail karts still being in the bucket was amazing.
Some of us who explore abandoned mines have gone back to mines we have already visited and have found collapses both big and small that have occurred in the intervening years. So, yes - they can and still do collapse gradually over time. A lot of these older mines from the 1800s still have ore left in them that the miners just didn’t have the technology and equipment that we have today to extract it. That’s why a lot of modern mining companies buy up these old claims and then go in there and dig a huge, open-pit mine to extract all the remaining ore that the old miners left behind. Thanks for your questions!
Navy veteran here, too! I was stationed on the USS Nassau (LHA 4) which was decommissioned several years ago. Not as big as an aircraft carrier. Mainly had helicopters onboard. Thanks for your comment, man!
Hello, I have watched all of your videos and big fan. I have left comments before and think you have John Cusaks voice which is soo cool. Please never show your face as it would ruin it for me. I am glad you are back making videos as I have missed you. You have taken me places that I could never see before. Thanks! 8-)
Thanks for the comment, Brad! I appreciate you watching my videos and hopefully being a subscriber. Thank you for that! It’s always nice when an enthusiastic and dedicated viewer such as yourself lets me know that they are really enjoying my videos. While I’m not uploading as many as I used to a few years ago, I’m still getting out there once in a great while. I’ll have more new videos coming soon, so stay tuned (as if I really need to tell you that! LOL).
What im wondering watching all these videos of yours is: do you sometimes have the urge to take old stuff with you? Or do you keep everything as is and just explore. Wondering because some stuff you find in there is pretty cool.
Not into artifact hunting. Most of the stuff found in these mines is junk anyway. All of the good, valuable artifacts were taken long ago back in the 1950s or earlier when these mines were first abandoned. We are all the late-comers to the show, unfortunately. Thanks for your comment and question!
You are absolutely correct about that! The hillside is so overgrown, though, that finding other entrances would be very difficult. We even had a hand-drawn map of the mine’s workings taken from an old mining report, but even that offers no real geographical accuracy or anything like that as to where the other openings might be. I know Drew has already scouted the area on his own and didn’t find anything.
They certainly are eerie! Glad you picked up on that. They definitely are not my most favorite mines to explore and document. Sounds like you enjoyed the video! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
Hey, Trevor! Thank you for your comment. It’s always nice when someone lets me know that they are getting something out of the videos and are enjoying them like you are.
Thanks for your comment! To be honest, that second mine tunnel with all of the silt and mud was the deepest I have ever come across. As a matter fact, the few flooded tunnels I have been in have never really had a problem with mud like that. That was exceptionally rare in my case, and it shows just how dangerous flooded mines can be. I really did sink in up to my knees! Luckily I was able to pull my legs free and get out of there unscathed. Will go back with an innertube or something to float over to the door to see what’s behind it and whether the tunnel is passable or not. There are reportedly 10 miles of tunnels in that mine on various levels. Of course, I believe that all of the lower levels are probably filled with water, so hopefully there would be some upper levels that would still be dry.
Drew had said that was poison oak. In fact, it was everywhere as we bushwhacked down the steep hillside in the forest. For some reason, though, I did not break out in a rash this time around like I did a couple years ago when I unknowingly hiked through it.
@@AbandonedMines11 I'm my time in the military much of our training sites were thick with it. They'd give us Prednisone afterwards. But the equipment you couldn't wash easy like rucksack straps and other common equipment would hold the sap and give you rashes if you handled it. Good times
@@AbandonedMines11 Little known fact, reaction to Poison Oak/Ivy is actually an allergy, not everyone reacts to it. Allergies can also disappear between the years, so maybe you aren't allergic to it anymore! I wouldn't go testing it though, lol.
The flooded mines are always sort of creepy in a way, Sally Sue. They definitely aren't my forte, that's for sure. I got to be so accustomed to the dry, well-preserved abandoned mines in the deserts. It's fun, though, to do a flooded mine once in a while. Thanks for your comment!
The white crystals you saw are Potassium-nitrate / Salt peter. Main ingredient for black powder . The small holes are for venting and fresh air. The door was a storage room for explosives. You should really learn more about what's down in thee old mines. This looked to blasted from solid rock so it would be safe to explore . There are thousands of mines in northern Cal some still have claims so be careful you are not trespassing. I live in Foresthill and these 8 within walking distance from my house.
If you’re referring to what I call “blasting holes” in the first mine tunnel, you are incorrect. Those ARE blasting holes - not holes for fresh air or ventilation. Ventilation tubing would have been hung in the tunnel and fresh air supplied that way. The metal door in the second tunnel COULD be the door to an explosives storage locker. I hadn’t thought of that until I read your comment. Now that I’ve read your comment, I can see where that might be a possibility. There was no airflow coming out of that tunnel which suggests either a major collapse is blocking the tunnel or it really is, as you said, a dead-end storage area. If it is an explosives storage room, I have never seen one that far inside a tunnel before. We do know that the main entrance to that second mine was in the small gully several feet below that particular tunnel we were in that had the metal door. However, the mining report stated that there were several horizontal entrances to the mine due to its sheer size. The only way we will know whether or not that metal door leads to a dead-end storage room or leads to the labyrinth of tunnels is to actually get up to it and look behind it. Not unless, of course, you have already done that yourself. Have you? Thanks for your comment, man! Very intriguing….
I would drink it if it was coming out of the wall and I had a cup to catch it. Otherwise, scooping up the water from the tunnel floor probably isn’t the best idea considering that it has flowed throughout the mine past debris, those frogs I showed and their waste, and who knows what else. I do have an ultraviolet water purifier that I carry with me, so that would kill any germs and organisms that are in the water. What it won’t do is eliminate any harmful chemicals or things like that that might be in the water.
Bodie is one place that I have never been, if you can believe that. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Glad you were able to get there and check it out. Will have to research the gold mine that you said is in that area. Sounds interesting! Hey, thanks for watching and commenting!
@@AbandonedMines11 As someone who's been to Bodie before, I don't believe any of the mines themselves are open due to concerns of public safety but the mill itself is open for guided tours and there are plenty of buildings to check out! I believe its $5 per person for the tour and lasts about 30 minutes. It's a wonderful place and I might actually be returning to Bodie with the next week and a half!
You welcome, Please find time to go to Bodie, (biggest ghost town in USA)is really WORTH IT to do the drive crossing the Sierras (Tioga Pass) The area is so mystic like Mono Lake.
Always look forward to your videos! Just wondering but what's all the gear you take with you? I'd imagine it's more than just a flashlight and a camera right? Edit: lol I commented too soon 😅
Yes, you commented too soon. LOL I also wear a camelback that's full of water along with some bottles of extra water. I also have an extra flashlight, extra batteries, SPOT beacon, etc..
Hey, it's my neck of the woods. I live in Coarsegold. There's supposedly an old mine up on the hill to my south. But it's gold country, mines being everywhere doesn't surprise me.
I used to do that myself. Now I look in them and say, "Why not?" LOL Seriously, when I first started exploring and documenting these abandoned mines, I would only hike up to the entrance, look in, but never enter them. Too scared. Check out my earliest videos from 11 or 12 years ago -- you'll see what I mean!
Hey, Alek! Thanks for your comment. Sounds like you’re excited to see a new video from me. I’m still semi-retired from this hobby, but as I promised back in May 2017, I would still be uploading abandoned mine videos from time to time. I put a few up this past week or so. This most recent one features some flooded gold mines. Definitely out of my element in the wet ones, that’s for sure. Thanks again for taking the time to watch and comment!
I think you filmed this like in the mountains closer to yosemite theres lots of mines there. I say like three hours from san jose, ca where i live. But great video anyways. I hope you make another video to see whats on the other side of that mine door.
Same here! Fortunately, nearly all the mines in the desert are bone dry. Flooded mines are exciting, though, and do change things up a bit. But I prefer to stay dry, if possible.
There are supposedly mines near where my mom grew up in Illinois but I have no idea where they are. I don’t think I’d dare to venture into one as I am a clutz and would probably trip and cause a collapse lol
Hey, Brian! Thanks for stopping by and checking out some of my videos! I appreciate your support and interest. You know, I have been very lucky because in over a decade of exploring abandoned mines all over the place, I have never encountered rattlesnakes inside a mine. I have seen a few outside of mines but not more than six or seven altogether over the last 12 years or so. There is another guy here on RUclips with the channel by the name of Adrian Unknown who just started exploring abandoned mines in New Mexico and other places. He already has a bunch of videos on his channel where he has found several rattlesnakes inside abandoned mines. I can’t believe the amount of rattlesnakes he has come across in such a short time! In one of his videos, there were two rattlesnakes right inside the mine! So I must have been pretty lucky to have never encountered snakes after all these years. A part of me, however, thinks that I probably walked by many of them and was unaware of their presence because they chose to remain silent and not bother me.
Drew, who was with me on this exploration, did return to this mine by himself a week or two later. He used a flotation device and floated to the door. As I suspected, he confirmed that there is, indeed, a massive collapse about 25 feet beyond the door. Thanks for your comment!
When I worked in Placer county, CA. We had to deal with small mines all over. Sometimes, we'd get calls of people or pets falling in. Occasionally, we get calls of sweating road flares, lol...........ya, not flares but dynamite.
There are many small mines hidden up in the mountains and in the deserts - they are everywhere! Apparently the first mine in this video has another opening or two somewhere on that steep hillside that we bushwhacked down to reach the main entrance. Whatever other openings are there, they are NOT marked on any topographic map that I have seen.
The new guy Drew was the one who informed me about the two mines in this video. He had already been to them but never in them. Otherwise, I just do a lot of research.
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places no I grew up there never went into them just was told about them was super excited you were there so I could finally see them 20 years later.
Good reply! I can imagine that finally seeing the inside of these mines that you grew up with in your backyard, so to speak, but never explored yourself would be kind of cool. Thanks for your comments!
Thanks, man! Not really into flooded mines, but they are a nice change of pace. In fact, I think this was the first flooded mine I've been in since I announced my semi-permanent retirement over two years ago!
Believe it or not, I may return to this mine with an innertube or something like that so I can float to the door to see what’s behind it and whether the rest of the mine is explorable or not.
@@AbandonedMines11 Thank you sir. I appreciate your heart, your courage and lastly but mostly your voice. You know 3years ago I had a drastic change both in my professional life and personal life. It was like I've borned twice. What others may misses out. My childhood was not that normal. I grew up with many unusual circumstances. Later I able to figure it out the reason behind all of this. I can read vibes as well as energy. You're someone very rare in this planet. I know there are tons of channel out here on RUclips. But trust me or not you're very different among all. Please never shut down this channel. A warrior is never tired nor wounded , if the purpose is greater than his own life. Blessed be
Same here, Miles. We might go back there with an inflatable raft and float over to the door to peek behind it. Supposedly that second mine has ten miles of tunnels -- it was massive! Would be cool to access it if possible. However, as I mentioned in the video, I think I could see a collapse behind the door when I zoomed-in with my camera. Also, the lack of airflow coming from the door area might mean it's collapsed back there, too.
@@AbandonedMines11 Unfortunate if that's the case, but I guess a future endeavor will answer the question on all our minds! I look forward to hearing and seeing more from your channel! Would also be curious to see some more Colorado Mines in the future if you come back out this way!
I never really spent a lot of time in Colorado. It's only accessible in the summer months, and I always found myself spending the summers in the deserts of the Southwest. Maybe I'll get out there to Colorado one of these days. There are a couple other mine explorers who document Colorado Mines. Have you checked out David Garzas' RUclips channel at ruclips.net/channel/UCObWdkpfYrqZ3_vkDou4m8g? He's got a lot of Colorado mines on there. Drop by and pay him a visit!
@@AbandonedMines11 I can see that you enjoy the deserts lol, I'll be sure to check out David's channel but I still look forward to seeing more from your own! Thanks! Keep us all updated on your explorations!
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
The history of the Pine Tree/Josephine Mine and its founder John C. Freemont is now up!
Great video, Drew! Quite an interesting history regarding those mines and John Fremont. ruclips.net/video/1wBPZJjSxuE/видео.html
You need a TV show!
you're watching it :)
BILO SAGATIEVE
National Geographic needs to hire him!
You mean like TV? The old dying media?
I has tv show person man
abandoned mines are full of traps, bad air, sharp objects, and dangerous explosives...
OP: *LETS GO CHECK IT OUT*
And frogs 🐸
@KingsnakeSince1986 , traps, bad air, sharp objects in Sunnyslope?
@KingsnakeSince1986 yeah that's a pretty shitty area lol. I used to live in Phoenix. Since 1986 huh? Me too. If that's your birthday. We're birthday year buddies.
this is minecraft?
this video actually some what as got me dreaming
looks like a great place to bring the whole family
you no like why not make a day outing of it
as they go their ways i go mine
as on with my life leaving them deeply thought of as
far from my mind as left behind like canaries in a coal mine
literally speaking but of course i am i guess just joking
as well yes its just a dream inacents enough said on by part
but then to mind what at times its like thinking as its so darn nice to dream a bit
just to find some peace of my own mine
after all things said and done in my day i worked my ass off for it
yet i never see any of it as the family take care of it all for me
but as what be it what if the money was all mine like almost free for me as once to feel
for one time in my life what it must be like to strike it so rich lol all the way to the bank
well thats my wife i mean i meant my life as please excuse me as while i mine my thoughts and dreams
you should do a live stream ive always wanted to see the whole hike to the time and everything in the mine just raw unedited video
Every so often, a viewer will make a similar request like you just made. I'm afraid, though, that an unedited video would be boring. It would be a lot of footage of me walking through tunnels or bushwhacking through dense vegetation or hiking up an old dirt road, etc.. I don't know -- maybe sometime I'll try it out. Thanks for the interesting suggestion!
@@AbandonedMines11 I love the live stream idea, you would be surprised how much the walk in and quieter moments would enhance the mine exploration. Breath before the plunge
into the abyss.
Stream from a cave? Probably will be laggy :)
@@AbandonedMines11 Perhaps pair the [Edited] versions with [Raw] or [Unedited] footage uploads?
scrubydor sure yeah, just use the tunnels WiFi
That's responsible mine exploration. Using H2S and Oxygen monitors and deciding to stop when it's too flooded. Sign me up for the next tour.
Safety has always been paramount during the last 10 or 12 years that I have been doing this. I really don’t explore and document mines much anymore since I announced my retirement back in May 2017. However, I’m still getting out there once in a long while. And, yes, safety is still paramount. Always has been. Always will be. Thanks for your comment, and thanks for checking out the video!
Hi Frank! Another awesome video of another awesome abandoned mine! I'm very happy you're adding more mines to your adventures, you're the one who got me interested in them, thank you! Looks like Drew was having a great time and I hope you were too!! Take care and stay safe out there!! xoxo
It was Drew's first time in an abandoned mine so, yes, he had a blast despite the lack of extensive "tunnel time." Glad to hear that my videos got you interested in exploring abandoned mines. Always cool to hear that. By the way, I forgot to mention in my last reply to your last comment that I like your new avatar here. Cute picture!
@@AbandonedMines11 Thanks for the compliment, that pic was taken in Golden Gate Park a few years ago. You made my day!!
Justin and Chuck will be jealous, they seam to love those water filled mines... thanks for sharing another great site Frank!
Thanks, man, for your comment! And thanks for watching the video, too. You've been a long-time supporter here, so I thank you for that.
Been a subscriber for ~3 years. I'm genuinely surprised that you haven't gone missing on some of these remote areas. Even more so considering you've experienced paranormal activity on more than one occasion.
Are you familiar with David Paulides' work? I notice that you carry a SPOT beacon on your journeys, do you also carry a firearm?
Love the content by the way. I live in Southern California and plan on joining the NPS out of Sonoma later this year. I dream of being able to do the sort of things you do here on this channel; can't stand city life.
Thank you for being a subscriber for these last few years! I really appreciate that. I’m not familiar with that gentleman’s work that you mentioned. I’ll have to look him up. I’m assuming he’s a fellow explorer, right? Sounds like you are enjoying the videos here on my channel, so thank you for that. I applaud your efforts to join the National Park Service. Sounds like you have a passion for that sort of thing.
@@AbandonedMines11 David Paulides is a former Police Officer who covers the shocking amount of strange disappearances in National Parks. Look up missing 411 if your interested
Chad Bro Chill I am definitely going to look that up! Now that you mentioned it, I remember reading something vaguely about it a few years back.
Walking in flooded tunnels gives me the shits, just can't do it, I feel like I'm going to fall down a shaft any moment. Love your videos,stay safe.
The flooded mines aren't my favorites either. But, as an abandoned mine explorer, sometimes you have to do them and make the best of it. At the end of the day, I was so glad I had brought a clean change of clothes. You mentioned falling down a shaft. In the first mine in this video, I show that pipe and drill bit sticking up out of the water next to the ore cart tracks. As I mentioned in the video in a caption, those might've been marking where a shaft (winze) was in the tunnel floor. The old map we saw of that mine showed a winze not too far inside the tunnel entrance. Looking at the footage, I don't see a winze there under the water, but it could've been all filled in with silt and mud over the past century.
At least you can swim..... and wear a life jacket, lol.
Great video Frank! You continue to give a historical view of mines that no one else does. Keep ‘em coming!
I appreciate your support! Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and comment. And thank you for the feedback, too.
I find exploring mines is so interesting thank you for sharing ❤️😊✌🏻
Glad you're enjoying my videos, Paige! Thanks for your interest and support.
That was cool looking metal door for over 100 years old. Cant wait for the return. Another great video! Thanks for the great content .
nick rogers Hey, thanks Nick for your comment! Not sure when that metal door was installed but I would think it was installed when the mine closed down in the 1930s or thereabouts. Back then, I’m sure the mine was completely dry because they probably had to use pumps continually to keep it from flooding. Once they closed down, the mine gradually filled up with water to the state that it is today. It’s my guess that all of the lower workings are probably underwater. The upper workings above the main tunnel where the door is might possibly still be dry. It’s reported that there were about 10 miles of tunnels in this particular mine, so that’s a lot of tunneling! It would be cool to see some of it if not most of it.
@@AbandonedMines11
Now you have me wondering what's behind the door and when your going back to have a look-see also I was wondering if you think that there might be another entrance to the mine? I really enjoy your videos and the only other one I watch is Frank's channel Exploring Abandoned Mines up in BC Canada where I am from. I was wondering if you guys have ever met? It would be wild to see you guys do an explore together. Take care n' Cheers
As usual it’s a fantastic video, it’s a shame conditions didn’t allow for further exploration that day. I was impressed with the old equipment outside the mine, I had no idea IR has been around that long. Thanks for sharing, stay safe.
Thanks for your comment, Dan! If I can remember correctly, Ingersoll-Rand invented the first mining drill or something like that back in 1871. The rest is history.
I have this dream every year where my mom drives me to this mountain with my friends at night and we explore these abandoned sewer tunnels that leads to a giant gave and this looks exactly like it
Is your name really Jonah? Because if it is, I saw the name “Jonah” scratched into the flooded tunnel wall next to that partially open door.
LOL! Just kidding!
I love flooded tunnels :D
You certainly do have your fair share of them over there, don’t you? You would have definitely been in your element in this abandoned mine!
Wow, you’ve done it again seems like it’s been awhile? Once again a great video. Stay safe have lots of mine adventures.
Good to hear from you again, too, Beverly! Thanks for watching and commenting.
The sheer amount of silt in the 2nd mine entrance makes it very dangerous. When did they stop working in the 2nd gold mine?
If I can remember correctly, the second mine has not been worked since the 1930s. I have been in flooded mines before but have never encountered silt like what we found in the second tunnel. I can appreciate when you say that the sheer amount of silt in the second mine entrance makes it very dangerous. When I stepped into the silt to see if we could make our way over to the door, both of my feet sank in up to my knees. It was extremely difficult to pull my feet free from that. I now have a newfound respect for such conditions considering that I have never experienced silt and mud like that before in abandoned mines. I had asked in another reply to someone else’s comment if there have been cases where people have actually gotten stuck in deep silt like that and required rescue. That would be a hell of a thing to experience! I think my idea of using an innertube and floating over to the door to see what’s behind it is a good idea. Like I said in the video, I think there is a major collapse behind that door due to the absence of any airflow and from what I could glimpse beyond the door when I zoomed-in with my camera.
I went to explore a mine the othe week. Was told that we wouldnt need our caving suits as there was no water. Before I knew it, we were upto our navals in water, in jeans and jumper. Nice to see you do one with water in for a change.
I didn't recognize your channel name. Looks like you're new on RUclips as of a few months ago! Welcome! Looks like you've been busy exploring mines in the UK. Awesome! I'll add your channel's link to my RUclips channel's homepage on the right-hand side where it says "Check Out These Other Awesome Channels!" Thanks for stopping by and commenting, man! Yes, I'm not accustomed to flooded mines, that's for sure. Definitely was a change of pace for me.
Thanks very much. I actually had the mining videos on another channel but these were now and again and the main content is unrelated, so decided to move them to their own channel. These are upto 3 years old. Been following your adventures since the early days. Thanks again, appreciated.
Excellent exploration Frank and Drew! Many thanks!
Thanks for your comment!
damn, be careful walking through that poison oak!
Hey, Zachary! Drew had already hiked down to the mine a couple months ago, so he warned me about the poison oak. It was everywhere as we bushwhacked down the hillside. For some reason, though, I didn't get any on me. It really was everywhere. Guess I lucked out.
ya, I have actually explored a few mines in northern california and ended up with poison oak once or twice.
Great video. Glad we could explore with you. Can’t wait for the next video
Thanks for your enthusiasm! I appreciate that very much. Glad to have you along for all of the adventures whether above-ground or underground.
I found another unexplored unknown mine that looks alot like this one back in the san Gabriels. going to try to make it back there weekend of the
Thanks for watching and commenting, Pharraoh! The unknown and unexplored mines are the best ones for obvious reasons. I'm still not totally comfortable with flooded mines, but the more of them I do, the better I feel about them. Good luck exploring the unknown mind you found. Will be interested to see your video of it.
Your channel is so outstanding! I'd like to do that kind of exploration, but unfortunately I don't neither have enough money nor the situation in my country allows me to do that activity. However I'd like to know what equipment you use to explore mines.
I'll be really happy If you answer me.
Thanks for reading!
I always have a Camelback full of water and other supplies. Those supplies include things like extra batteries, extra lights, my SPOT beacon, first aid kit, and things like that. Also, I always wear a helmet and sturdy boots. I’m also outfitted, as I show in this video, with an oxygen detector and a hydrogen sulfide gas detector. Thanks for checking out the vids here, Aaron! And thanks for your comment!
@@AbandonedMines11 Thanks for answering! I already know what yo bring with me!
Really neat how there’s an open metal door in a flooded mine/cave. I don’t know, but that just seems like the beginning of so many horror and fantasy tales haha.
I agree! Drew and I were so curious as to whether or not the tunnel behind the door was unblocked or not. This mine has over 10 miles of interconnected tunnels, so it would be a doozy to explore and document. Granted, I think most of those tunnels (especially the lower ones) are probably completely flooded, but we still don't know for sure....
Frank , thank you for using your head with the detectors . This Week TVR posted his 3rd video about the Soviet Lead mine and had a Detector go off . Hydrogen sulfide and he retreated quickly . He is very brave but did not stick around when that happened , No Delay he left . He wants to make videos for us to see so he did not fool around at all with that warning . I am glad you guys take precautions . You are more valuable then all of the Gold that they took out of that mine ! Nice meeting Drew .
Yes, the detectors are very valuable to have. Being that I’m basically retired from this hobby, there was really no need for me to get a hydrogen sulfide gas detector. However, I had some extra money laying around so I thought I’d get one for the hell of it. I’m glad I did because it came in handy on this trip. Flooded and wet mines definitely have a higher risk of hydrogen sulfide gas, that’s for sure. Normally I never found myself in flooded mines back when I was doing this regularly, so the need for a hydrogen sulfide gas detector was never really that imperative. At any rate, thanks for your comment, Mark!
Very interesting videos. Really kool to watch. What is the head room in these mines?
Hey, Mark! Thanks for your comment and question! In this particular mine, I would say the tunnel was about 7 to 8 feet tall from what I can remember. Pretty typical. Some mines have narrower tunnels with lower ceilings. It just depends. More modern mines from the 1980s and on can have huge tunnels that were dug to accommodate large dump trucks and things like that. Regardless, we all wear helmets because head bumps are quite common! Thanks again for checking out this video -- I appreciate it!
Good video guys thanks for taking us along.
Thank you, Tom!
Ah I see you're in my neck of the woods. We used to always explore the pine tree mine when I was younger, but stayed out because of the water
Yes, I think at the end of this video I show footage of us attempting to enter the Pine Tree Mine. That was a tight squeeze to get into the entry tunnel, and there was a steel door partially open not too far inside. However, I sank down in all of the mud and silt that is in that entry tunnel. It was up to my knees! Almost got stuck in there, as a matter of fact! Drew went back by himself a week or two later and took an inner tube in there and floated over to the steel door. He said there was a giant collapse behind it blocking the way which is what I had surmised as well even though I didn’t get a good look at it when I was in there. It would be also impossible to open that steel door any further than it already is due to the mud and silt. I have partially located some other entrances that are much higher up on the hillside but haven’t gotten back there yet to check them out. Do you remember how you entered the mine? Was that main portal with the steel door open when you were there?
There's another entrance further back on the mountain down in the canyon that was still open. Although there is water in there also, it didn't appear to be as deep as what you encountered. Next time you go out that way, I would be more than happy to show you where I saw it.
I've been subscribed to you and TVR for years, much Love for all the great content!🤗
Cool! Thanks for subscribing! Justin (TVR) and I explored a handful of mines a couple of years ago. Haven’t been out with him since, though.
@@AbandonedMines11 I've been subscribed since you went into the Horton tunnel. Scary shite!
Bar's and Bar's of Gold Behind those Metal Doors !!!!!!!!!!!
Or something else! We might just head back up there and float in there and check it all out.
Yay !!!
Yes, please go back there with a boat.
Crazy to think of the work involved day in an out an man power love to have some of the old equipment as yard decoration cool stuff as always be safe
Drew went back to this mine by himself and found another entrance off to the side which we think leads to the level above the flooded level that you see in this video. He didn’t go in very far because he was by himself. I need to get back up there and finish off the exploration one of these days.
Another great vid! An old gold mine you should goto next is alvord mine in California near Barstow. It’s a big old mine tons of entrances
Thanks for your comment and suggestion, Ben! I had heard of the Alvord Mine a long time ago - like 10 years ago. But I had always assumed that it was closed up and no longer accessible. Are you thinking of the Waterman Mine instead?
Just got back from there today, a friend from work recommend it to me.
Alvord Mine
California
goo.gl/maps/SH3XY2cNXH4r9Hr78
High clearance vehicle/ 4x4 recommended. We were able to drive almost to one of the entrances, we parked the truck at the ruined build south of the marker on the link, it’s a huge gold mine! Tons of quartz, I think there’s still gold ore up there if you know what to look for.
Forgot to add its public land BLM and if you like to rock hound there’s tons of rocks to find.
Thanks for that information, Ben! Duly noted. Looks like there is an old mill there.
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places can’t wait for that episode :-)
Thanks for the quality work! Cool creepy tunnel! 👍 drew earned +1000 exp. You are now lvl.2 noob hehe ✌️
I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Thank you! Yes, Drew earned +1000 experience points on his first abandoned mine exploration. LOL
I like the froggies 🐸🐸
Me too! There were lots of little frogs of different colors in the first flooded mine tunnel. Quite a change for me since I'm used to encountering only bats and pack-rats in the dry mines in the desert southwest where I'm usually exploring at.
How do you find these mines? I want to begin responsibly exploring them but am having a hard time finding them.
The ones in this video were found by the other guy who was with me. Otherwise, it's best to scour Google Earth and topographic maps looking for mines. Old mining reports are also another great resource. And use other explorers' websites, videos, photographs, and trip reports.
Have u gentlemen ever plan on doing a tour of Iron mountain mine in Redding California?
I'm not familiar with that mine, John. Isn't Redding up there in northern California? I haven't spent much time up there.
@@AbandonedMines11 yes 2 hours north of Sacramento
Ingersol-Rand merged in 1905 so what was the later gold production from your listing in this mine?
Hey, Paul! The old mining report I saw wasn't too specific. It mentioned the 9000 tons of crushed ore in the first year. After that, it says that the present operator crushed another 1300 tons. That's all the information that was given on production. Other reports might have more detailed information, but I haven't found those yet. Also, the report says that a compressor was the only equipment onsite and was used to power three drills inside the mine.
I know of an old mine near Placerville CA that goes into a mountain of solid quartz. It has the look of an ice cave inside. Very cool! You can see the bottom of what's left of blast holes with cracks going outward like spider webs.
That sounds pretty interesting!
Such a creepy and long mine. Impressive find. Also nice to see that you have good company with you. Thanks for uploading.
Thanks for your comment. It's too bad Drew and I were unable to access the upper levels in the first mine. However, the air blowing at us from behind that collapse means there is another opening somewhere else that we don't know about -- yet.
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places Yeah if air is coming then there’s definitely another entrance to the mine. Just be careful.
Would bringing tools to dig out the collapse be possible? Could it be dug out with a shovel or is it too difficult?
Simon Tay That’s a pretty substantial collapse. I would be afraid that by removing rocks, more rocks might fall down from above. I don’t know - the fact that air was blowing through it means that it can’t be that substantial of a collapse or that thick. However, I think it would be easier to try to find the other opening higher on the hillside.
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places I think that a shovel is a bad idea. Those places are to old to dig, at least in my opinion. I would be scared even to talk in those places :P
Thanks again for another great exploration!!!!
I appreciate you stopping by again, George, and taking a look and leaving a comment. Always appreciate your support. Thank you!
@@AbandonedMines11 Frank first and foremost I wish you health and happiness, your exploration videos are outstanding, as long as you make them I'll be here watching them!!!!!!
I've run across a set of open mines sort of in that area but didn't venture very far in with just my phone flashlight. They are between Oakhurst and Mariposa
That’s awesome, Shane! Thanks for checking out this video and for commenting!
I think that Western "Compressor" may actually be the engine to drive the I-R compressor.
Western made big engines that looked like that, and it has a clutch handle on the flywheel pulley.
If you have any pictures of the head area, (the opposite end of the cylinder from the flywheel), and any other valve linkage or other fittings on the head it should be possible to tell if it's an engine or a compressor.
If that's an engine, I would guess it would be between 20 and 30 horsepower.
Thanks for the detailed information on that piece of machinery. I have no idea what I’m looking at sometimes at some of these abandon mines. I always appreciate it when you viewers share your knowledge about these things. Thanks for doing that!
@@AbandonedMines11here's a video of what looks very similar.
ruclips.net/video/t19DRKx1cck/видео.html
I have run up to a 200 horsepower Western engine lol
If you ever want to see the old engines like that running, including some from various mines in California and Nevada etc, look up the Great Oregon Steam Up, up just north of Salem at the Powerland Heritage Park. It's over 2 weekends towards the end of summer.
We have a large collection of old stationary engines that are run during the steam up, and various other events there, as well as all sorts of other old equipment from steam tractors to a steam sawmill, and ancient tractors, logging equipment, etc, nearly all of it rebuilt and being run and demonstrated.
That engine looks still in excellent shape and pretty easily returned to running condition most likely, and I know a bunch of people who would love to aquire it lol
Have a friend who lives in the area, showed him this video and he recognizes the place, he's never dared going in there however. :) Great video!
Which mine in the video did he recognize? The first one or the second one?
@@AbandonedMines11 the second one, that first one is actually quite hard to spot unless you're someone with a good eye, it's very overgrown and most would probably not see those tailings at first glance especially from a distance.
Cool! Thanks for the reply. Yes, the first mine is really overgrown. Had to bushwhack down to it which was kind of tough. The airflow coming through that collapse means there is another opening somewhere else on the hillside. Would love to find that and access the uppermost workings.
Two dudes being bros. Pretty cool
Found your channel about a month ago and I’m hooked! Love your channel man!
Well, I'm certainly glad you found my channel and are here enjoying my videos! Thank you for watching and commenting!
love the frogs in there.... I'm sure they keep the spiders down
It was surprising to see the frogs. Normally I am in abandoned mines out in the desert where there is no life-sustaining water or moisture whatsoever. This renders the mines virtually lifeless except for pack rats and the occasional bat.
Frank, you didn't use waders? You must have had frozen feet! Also, the frogs were a good indicator of the atmosphere in mine #1: Live frog, good air; dead frog ---
I don’t own a pair of waders, Stan. Santa Claus never brought me a pair at Christmas. I prefer to use an old pair of hiking boots anyway and just tough it out. Drew had waders, though, but the water came up to and just above our knees, so his waders were full of water to the brim. In that second mine tunnel, I really did sink into the mud up to the bottom of my kneecaps! For a few seconds there I thought I was going to be stuck in there forever. It was really difficult to pull my feet out of all of that muck. I wonder if anybody has ever gotten stuck in mud like that? I suppose if you sunk in all the way up to your groin, yes, that could immobilize you completely. Scary thought! The experience of me sinking into the mud up to my kneecaps gave me a newfound respect for such conditions in abandoned mines.
Nice mine! You've actually got the exact same pair of BW gas detectors that I own. They ride on my mine belt any time I go underground.
Yeah, I picked up the hydrogen sulfide gas detector a couple months ago. Being that I’m basically retired from this hobby, there was really no need to buy it. I had some extra money laying around, so I thought I would get one for the hell of it. Sure enough, it came in handy on this spur-of-the-moment trip. Thanks for checking out the video, man! I appreciate it.
Frank, great video as usual! That deep water is a bit sketchy, especially with the possibility of winzes. Just curious where you find the tunnel maps? All I've been able to find locally is total tunnel workings, one of which was 23 miles!
Thanks for your comment, Douglas! I don’t know if you heard in the video but the map we saw of this mine sort of indicated a possible winze not too far inside the entrance. I think maybe those metal rods that were on the right hand side of the tunnel might have been marking where that winze was. I looked at the footage again up close and I don’t see any winze there under the water, but if there was one it may have filled up over time with mud and silt. These mines go way back to the late 1800s, so they have had more than a century to fill up any such winze or vertical shafts with silt and mud. Maps of the mines can sometimes be found in old mining reports. That’s where I get all of mine.
The waters constantly dripping, life is forming, with no human intervention, this mine is becoming a haven.
That’s a good way of looking at that! I never considered that perspective before. But I think you’re right! Hey, thanks for checking out the video and for leaving your insightful comment.
This reminds me of the Tubal Cain mine that’s a couple hours away from me. It’s an old manganese mine from about 1909, and it has a stream flowing out of it. The hooks in the wall reminded me since Tubal Cain still has those left to hang the old ventilation ducts. I want to explore and document it like this.
I’ve been in many abandoned mines that date back to the late 1800s like this one does, but I have never seen a metal hook like I did in this one. I think they are quite rare! I would guess that they usually don’t last too long due to the moisture content and other environmental factors. The one in this video looked like it was ready to fall off the wall.
Sure you know this already, but the presence of frogs is a good indicator for clean water, as amphibians are particularly sensitive to pollution.. What a great video. Very interesting. Cheers
The compresor was used to pump fresh air from outside to inside for the miners? Or it was used to give air to the ore boil?
Not sure. I read that a compressor was used to power the drills, so who knows! Big pieces of machinery, though, that were probably brought to the mine site by horse and wagon. No cars back in the 1870s!
Your lucky im awake late so I can see this before bed ❤️ been waiting all day!
Thanks, Sean! Hope you enjoyed the video!
Sean T same lol it’s midnight my time
You need to get up into the Red Dog and UBet areas around Grass Valley and Nevada City, CA. Not only hard rock mining shafts everywhere but hydraulic mining areas also, AND, still plenty of GOLD!!!
Justin from TVR Exploring has covered a lot of northern California on his RUclips channel. Check it out!
I lived off You Bet rd, on Greenhorn creek.
When? I lived way up past Greenhorn Creek, do you know where the waterfall was on the creek about 4 miles or so up?? We built a 16x32 ft cabin and gold mined back in 1979! Went to Seven Hills Elementary and Nevada Union my freshman year
@@jamesdougherty7702 1997 to 2008, just before the bridge. The Greenhorn creek area got really trashy unfortunately. People burning cars and such. Originally from Colfax, now in Minnesota
We lived there from 79-81, we used to get our water every morning right under the bridge! They had dig out a big pit that summer to make a swimming hole. You know where the big area was where they hydralic mined up there? My brother fell into a cavern back in there, broke his back, took us 3 hours to find a way in to get him!!
Quality video as always! Quick question, what was the scariest moment you’ve had in a mine?
Thanks for your comment, Jake! Jeremy and I explored the nine levels in the abandoned Black Mine a few years ago. As I was crawling past a clogged ore chute, the rocks in the chute suddenly gave way and started tumbling out of the chute onto my head. I thought for a second I was going to buried alive -- or at least my head and upper torso. The footage of the tumbling rocks is in the first minute or two of that video, and the video is here if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/p6akuzMpVF4/видео.html
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places thanks for the reply! I’ll definitely check that video out.
Edit: Ended up watching the video and that looked pretty sketchy. However it was probably one of the coolest mines I’ve seen with all of the old artifacts. The grease for the rail karts still being in the bucket was amazing.
Do these mines still collapse or have gold in the areas rocks?
Some of us who explore abandoned mines have gone back to mines we have already visited and have found collapses both big and small that have occurred in the intervening years. So, yes - they can and still do collapse gradually over time. A lot of these older mines from the 1800s still have ore left in them that the miners just didn’t have the technology and equipment that we have today to extract it. That’s why a lot of modern mining companies buy up these old claims and then go in there and dig a huge, open-pit mine to extract all the remaining ore that the old miners left behind. Thanks for your questions!
I work on a US aircraft carrier, and Ingersoll Rand makes our compressors, too.
Navy veteran here, too! I was stationed on the USS Nassau (LHA 4) which was decommissioned several years ago. Not as big as an aircraft carrier. Mainly had helicopters onboard. Thanks for your comment, man!
Hello, I have watched all of your videos and big fan. I have left comments before and think you have John Cusaks voice which is soo cool. Please never show your face as it would ruin it for me. I am glad you are back making videos as I have missed you. You have taken me places that I could never see before. Thanks! 8-)
Thanks for the comment, Brad! I appreciate you watching my videos and hopefully being a subscriber. Thank you for that! It’s always nice when an enthusiastic and dedicated viewer such as yourself lets me know that they are really enjoying my videos. While I’m not uploading as many as I used to a few years ago, I’m still getting out there once in a great while. I’ll have more new videos coming soon, so stay tuned (as if I really need to tell you that! LOL).
What im wondering watching all these videos of yours is: do you sometimes have the urge to take old stuff with you? Or do you keep everything as is and just explore. Wondering because some stuff you find in there is pretty cool.
Not into artifact hunting. Most of the stuff found in these mines is junk anyway. All of the good, valuable artifacts were taken long ago back in the 1950s or earlier when these mines were first abandoned. We are all the late-comers to the show, unfortunately. Thanks for your comment and question!
Cool beans look in my notifications and boom a video from the OG
There had to be other adits or a huge open stope with all that air
You are absolutely correct about that! The hillside is so overgrown, though, that finding other entrances would be very difficult. We even had a hand-drawn map of the mine’s workings taken from an old mining report, but even that offers no real geographical accuracy or anything like that as to where the other openings might be. I know Drew has already scouted the area on his own and didn’t find anything.
This was one of the coolest so far. Flooded mines are particularly eerie.
They certainly are eerie! Glad you picked up on that. They definitely are not my most favorite mines to explore and document. Sounds like you enjoyed the video! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
I love your channel very interesting and great history lessons.
Hey, Trevor! Thank you for your comment. It’s always nice when someone lets me know that they are getting something out of the videos and are enjoying them like you are.
Never thought out of all the dangers in mines, sinking into the mud would be one of them.
Thanks for your comment! To be honest, that second mine tunnel with all of the silt and mud was the deepest I have ever come across. As a matter fact, the few flooded tunnels I have been in have never really had a problem with mud like that. That was exceptionally rare in my case, and it shows just how dangerous flooded mines can be. I really did sink in up to my knees! Luckily I was able to pull my legs free and get out of there unscathed. Will go back with an innertube or something to float over to the door to see what’s behind it and whether the tunnel is passable or not. There are reportedly 10 miles of tunnels in that mine on various levels. Of course, I believe that all of the lower levels are probably filled with water, so hopefully there would be some upper levels that would still be dry.
hello to Drew you lucky :) looking forward to see more vids
Hello.
The portal surrounded by poison oak! Hope you washed your stuff well afterwards.
Drew had said that was poison oak. In fact, it was everywhere as we bushwhacked down the steep hillside in the forest. For some reason, though, I did not break out in a rash this time around like I did a couple years ago when I unknowingly hiked through it.
@@AbandonedMines11 I'm my time in the military much of our training sites were thick with it. They'd give us Prednisone afterwards. But the equipment you couldn't wash easy like rucksack straps and other common equipment would hold the sap and give you rashes if you handled it. Good times
@@AbandonedMines11 Little known fact, reaction to Poison Oak/Ivy is actually an allergy, not everyone reacts to it. Allergies can also disappear between the years, so maybe you aren't allergic to it anymore! I wouldn't go testing it though, lol.
Wow the inside of this mine has such a creepy/cool look to it! Love that!
The flooded mines are always sort of creepy in a way, Sally Sue. They definitely aren't my forte, that's for sure. I got to be so accustomed to the dry, well-preserved abandoned mines in the deserts. It's fun, though, to do a flooded mine once in a while. Thanks for your comment!
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places 😊 I totally understand every person has their own niche.
The white crystals you saw are Potassium-nitrate / Salt peter. Main ingredient for black powder .
The small holes are for venting and fresh air.
The door was a storage room for explosives.
You should really learn more about what's down in thee old mines.
This looked to blasted from solid rock so it would be safe to explore .
There are thousands of mines in northern Cal some still have claims so be careful you are not trespassing.
I live in Foresthill and these 8 within walking distance from my house.
If you’re referring to what I call “blasting holes” in the first mine tunnel, you are incorrect. Those ARE blasting holes - not holes for fresh air or ventilation. Ventilation tubing would have been hung in the tunnel and fresh air supplied that way. The metal door in the second tunnel COULD be the door to an explosives storage locker. I hadn’t thought of that until I read your comment. Now that I’ve read your comment, I can see where that might be a possibility. There was no airflow coming out of that tunnel which suggests either a major collapse is blocking the tunnel or it really is, as you said, a dead-end storage area. If it is an explosives storage room, I have never seen one that far inside a tunnel before. We do know that the main entrance to that second mine was in the small gully several feet below that particular tunnel we were in that had the metal door. However, the mining report stated that there were several horizontal entrances to the mine due to its sheer size. The only way we will know whether or not that metal door leads to a dead-end storage room or leads to the labyrinth of tunnels is to actually get up to it and look behind it. Not unless, of course, you have already done that yourself. Have you? Thanks for your comment, man! Very intriguing….
Dam glad to see you back.
Thanks, Joseph!
Would the water be safe to drink in the tunnel?
I would drink it if it was coming out of the wall and I had a cup to catch it. Otherwise, scooping up the water from the tunnel floor probably isn’t the best idea considering that it has flowed throughout the mine past debris, those frogs I showed and their waste, and who knows what else. I do have an ultraviolet water purifier that I carry with me, so that would kill any germs and organisms that are in the water. What it won’t do is eliminate any harmful chemicals or things like that that might be in the water.
Thanks for sharing. Been at Bodie gold mine, east side of the Sierras
Bodie is one place that I have never been, if you can believe that. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Glad you were able to get there and check it out. Will have to research the gold mine that you said is in that area. Sounds interesting! Hey, thanks for watching and commenting!
@@AbandonedMines11 As someone who's been to Bodie before, I don't believe any of the mines themselves are open due to concerns of public safety but the mill itself is open for guided tours and there are plenty of buildings to check out! I believe its $5 per person for the tour and lasts about 30 minutes. It's a wonderful place and I might actually be returning to Bodie with the next week and a half!
You welcome, Please find time to go to Bodie, (biggest ghost town in USA)is really WORTH IT to do the drive crossing the Sierras (Tioga Pass) The area is so mystic like Mono Lake.
Always look forward to your videos! Just wondering but what's all the gear you take with you? I'd imagine it's more than just a flashlight and a camera right?
Edit: lol I commented too soon 😅
Yes, you commented too soon. LOL I also wear a camelback that's full of water along with some bottles of extra water. I also have an extra flashlight, extra batteries, SPOT beacon, etc..
Hey, it's my neck of the woods. I live in Coarsegold. There's supposedly an old mine up on the hill to my south. But it's gold country, mines being everywhere doesn't surprise me.
That whole general area is pretty nice. You chose a scenic place to live!
I was just watching your channel, happy to get a new upload
Great! I love hearing that! Hope you enjoyed the latest video.
I have looked in a few abandoned mines and said forget about that.
I used to do that myself. Now I look in them and say, "Why not?" LOL Seriously, when I first started exploring and documenting these abandoned mines, I would only hike up to the entrance, look in, but never enter them. Too scared. Check out my earliest videos from 11 or 12 years ago -- you'll see what I mean!
Holy shit Frank’s back baby!
Hey, Alek! Thanks for your comment. Sounds like you’re excited to see a new video from me. I’m still semi-retired from this hobby, but as I promised back in May 2017, I would still be uploading abandoned mine videos from time to time. I put a few up this past week or so. This most recent one features some flooded gold mines. Definitely out of my element in the wet ones, that’s for sure. Thanks again for taking the time to watch and comment!
Passing on the torch.
Keep the past alive.
"I'M A NOOB"
Damn your a brave guy going into these mines . Thanks for sharing very interesting.
Thanks, Luiz! Glad you enjoyed the video.
This is so awesome. Way to scared to do it on my own but it's so cool to see it
Glad you enjoyed the video and saw something that you otherwise wouldn't see. Thanks for your comment!
I think you filmed this like in the mountains closer to yosemite theres lots of mines there. I say like three hours from san jose, ca where i live. But great video anyways. I hope you make another video to see whats on the other side of that mine door.
I think you might be right. ;-)
Looking down the flooded tunnel gives me horror movie vibes
Same here! Fortunately, nearly all the mines in the desert are bone dry. Flooded mines are exciting, though, and do change things up a bit. But I prefer to stay dry, if possible.
There are supposedly mines near where my mom grew up in Illinois but I have no idea where they are. I don’t think I’d dare to venture into one as I am a clutz and would probably trip and cause a collapse lol
How often do you guys run into rattlesnakes in these mines? Just found your channel. 😁
Hey, Brian! Thanks for stopping by and checking out some of my videos! I appreciate your support and interest. You know, I have been very lucky because in over a decade of exploring abandoned mines all over the place, I have never encountered rattlesnakes inside a mine. I have seen a few outside of mines but not more than six or seven altogether over the last 12 years or so. There is another guy here on RUclips with the channel by the name of Adrian Unknown who just started exploring abandoned mines in New Mexico and other places. He already has a bunch of videos on his channel where he has found several rattlesnakes inside abandoned mines. I can’t believe the amount of rattlesnakes he has come across in such a short time! In one of his videos, there were two rattlesnakes right inside the mine! So I must have been pretty lucky to have never encountered snakes after all these years. A part of me, however, thinks that I probably walked by many of them and was unaware of their presence because they chose to remain silent and not bother me.
I wonder if using a RV boat, or a small drone, with a camera would be a viable way to see behind the door.
Drew, who was with me on this exploration, did return to this mine by himself a week or two later. He used a flotation device and floated to the door. As I suspected, he confirmed that there is, indeed, a massive collapse about 25 feet beyond the door. Thanks for your comment!
Great mine really enjoyed this explore keep it up stay safe
Got it, Raymond! Thanks for your comment!
When I worked in Placer county, CA. We had to deal with small mines all over. Sometimes, we'd get calls of people or pets falling in. Occasionally, we get calls of sweating road flares, lol...........ya, not flares but dynamite.
There are many small mines hidden up in the mountains and in the deserts - they are everywhere! Apparently the first mine in this video has another opening or two somewhere on that steep hillside that we bushwhacked down to reach the main entrance. Whatever other openings are there, they are NOT marked on any topographic map that I have seen.
Yah there is a lot of mines here in mariposa. The copper mines are amazing in Raymond. Most mines here are not flooded but there are big drops
Ingersoll Rand is still in Phillipsburg NJ. It was transported all the way there but left.
Seeing it kinda makes me wanna get a flat bed and winch to yank it out
Hi good Sr. thanks for another great video!!!
You're welcome! Thank you for your comment!
How far is it from san francisco bay area?
Several hours. Four, maybe. Not sure.
3 1/2 hour trip.
This guy is the nicest explorer ever
Thank you for your videos. How do you find these mines?
The new guy Drew was the one who informed me about the two mines in this video. He had already been to them but never in them. Otherwise, I just do a lot of research.
@@AbandonedMines11 oh wow thanks for the reply 😁 I love your videos keep exploring and stay safe out there 🙏
I used to live back there I know where you are! Very cool!!
Cool! Maybe you know some other ways into these mines then? LOL
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places no I grew up there never went into them just was told about them was super excited you were there so I could finally see them 20 years later.
Good reply! I can imagine that finally seeing the inside of these mines that you grew up with in your backyard, so to speak, but never explored yourself would be kind of cool. Thanks for your comments!
Awesome video !!!
Thanks, man! Not really into flooded mines, but they are a nice change of pace. In fact, I think this was the first flooded mine I've been in since I announced my semi-permanent retirement over two years ago!
How much was the hydrogen sulfide detector I’m going to get me one, great video
On Amazon for around $127, I believe. Was so glad to see they came out with a hydrogen sulfide detector. Thanks for watching and commenting, David!
You should bring a canoe next time, now that would be fun!
Believe it or not, I may return to this mine with an innertube or something like that so I can float to the door to see what’s behind it and whether the rest of the mine is explorable or not.
A great mine explore..
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Should have taken a gold pan down to that little stream in that mine!!!
That sounds like a good idea! Unfortunately, I don’t own nor do I carry any mining equipment with me on these expeditions.
One word "Awesome"
Thanks for commenting, Pratt! Good to hear from you again. Killer name you’ve got. :-)
@@AbandonedMines11 Thank you sir. I appreciate your heart, your courage and lastly but mostly your voice. You know 3years ago I had a drastic change both in my professional life and personal life. It was like I've borned twice. What others may misses out. My childhood was not that normal. I grew up with many unusual circumstances. Later I able to figure it out the reason behind all of this. I can read vibes as well as energy. You're someone very rare in this planet. I know there are tons of channel out here on RUclips. But trust me or not you're very different among all. Please never shut down this channel.
A warrior is never tired nor wounded , if the purpose is greater than his own life. Blessed be
Definitely would love to see what's beyond that door, i wonder if a gopro on a remote boat would work...hmmm
Same here, Miles. We might go back there with an inflatable raft and float over to the door to peek behind it. Supposedly that second mine has ten miles of tunnels -- it was massive! Would be cool to access it if possible. However, as I mentioned in the video, I think I could see a collapse behind the door when I zoomed-in with my camera. Also, the lack of airflow coming from the door area might mean it's collapsed back there, too.
@@AbandonedMines11 Unfortunate if that's the case, but I guess a future endeavor will answer the question on all our minds! I look forward to hearing and seeing more from your channel! Would also be curious to see some more Colorado Mines in the future if you come back out this way!
I never really spent a lot of time in Colorado. It's only accessible in the summer months, and I always found myself spending the summers in the deserts of the Southwest. Maybe I'll get out there to Colorado one of these days. There are a couple other mine explorers who document Colorado Mines. Have you checked out David Garzas' RUclips channel at ruclips.net/channel/UCObWdkpfYrqZ3_vkDou4m8g? He's got a lot of Colorado mines on there. Drop by and pay him a visit!
@@AbandonedMines11 I can see that you enjoy the deserts lol, I'll be sure to check out David's channel but I still look forward to seeing more from your own! Thanks! Keep us all updated on your explorations!