Tecopa, CA February Trip Report

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  • Mike
    Administrator
    True Mojave
    • Sep 2007
    • 1050

    Tecopa, CA February Trip Report

    TECOPA, CALIFORNIA
    February, 2009

    We just returned from Tecopa, CA, and what an amazing trip it was. The mines were deep, intricate, and were in very good condition. Tecopa, CA is an old mining town located on the south east border of California, just outside Death Valley. We visited some of the larger mines, such as the War Eagle, Columbia, Gunsight, and Noonday mines. The California based Underground Explorers also joined us for the explorations. Many of us were expecting warm 40-75F weather, but it turned out to be quite cold and wet. We saw more rain in the 4 days we were there than I have in a long while.

    We departed from Orem, UT bright and early Thursday morning. Everybody showed up prepared and ready for the 8 hour drive. Once all the gear and seats were situated, we started out long drive out. We almost made it to Vegas without issues, but one of the vehicles started having some massive drive train issues. We left the vehicle, along with its capable crew and passangers, to fix the vehicle while the rest of the caravan headed off to the mines to set up camp.

    Tecopa is a tiny little town, mostly full of hippies, chinamen, retirees, and hot-springers. The actual mines are located about 10 minute south of town. We spent a good 2 hours searching the area looking for our War Eagle campsite; After determining we were nowhere near the area, we attempted a new area just south of where we were exploring, and happened do drive directly to the mine. Each of us set up as much of camp as we could while we waited for the other vehicle to finish repairs and join us.

    While waiting for the other vehicles, we decided to head into the War Eagle to do some initial exploring. The main portion of the mine has been picked over pretty heavily. Signs of ‘The Mine’ filmcrew could be seen here and there in the main haulage tunnel. I poked around some supports and found a glass soda bottle from the 50’s-60s and some miners equipment I’ve never seen before. The rest of the crew eventually showed up a couple hours later. While setting up, I managed to convince Stu to take a peek inside the mine with me and see if we couldn’t find anything. On our return, Crystal scolded us like our mothers might have, and we repented of our ways by helping out with what we could

    The next morning, Jeremiah and Robert took the Utah crew into the War Eagle to do some exploring, while Stu, Crystal, and I joined the Underground Explorers for some adventure in the Gunsight. Miah and Roberts team managed to find several levels, some excellent condition dynamite, and some intricate rock formations.

    Inside the Gunsight, we shot out the entire main level and lower levels of the mine pretty quickly. Two sets of ladders led up to the upper working of the mine. The first ladder reached about 75’ up, while the second reached about 125’ up. At the 75’ level, Stu, Crystal, and a few UE members shot out the tunnels and stopes of the level they were on, while Mike S, some of his UE members, and I hit up the second level. The first explorers to the top immediately began scoping out the levels up top, and found some high quality dynamite, a miners pick and shovel, and a few other mining gears. We also found an exposed high grade galena vein along an igneous dike. There was also trace amounts of copper sulfides oxidized on the exposed rock. We extracted samples of ore for later examination.



    By Saturday, many of us were already beginning to be extremely sore and tired from the strenuous activities. It happened that this day was going to be our hardest yet. While the UE explored the Noonday areas, MU decided to investigate the Columbia mine in search for ride-able ore carts on the lower levels. The journey down required three descends. The first was an inclined shaft with a ladder to support. This was fairly easy to navigate. The second descend was a 150’ ladder climb down a cribbed shaft. The ladder was tightly build against the cribbing, making it hard to obtain a strong arm hold. After passing each explorer through the shaft, we followed tunnels to the last descend. Only Stuart made it down to the bottom. This last ladder reached appx 200’, and required far more endurance and strength to reach the bottom than the other ladders did. With only a 150’ rope, we decided to take the safe route and call off the ore carts until we could explore with proper gear. The climb back out to the surface was a difficult one, and required patience and endurance.



    After the Columbia, we decided to head into the northern War Eagle entrance, and try to make a connection to the haulage tunnel where we were camped. We shot out the entire main level of the mine, and turned to the lower levels of the mine. We came to a steep and loose rocked incline, where Robert and Miah took point. We waited for a report from them before continuing further down the incline. Once we heard word from them that a possible connection had been found, we all carefully ran down the incline. The bottom of the incline opened up into a fairly large stope, where an aluminum ladder had been placed to allow entrance up a wall to the levels of the haulage tunnel. In this tunnel we found some intense ‘Lincoln log’ like cribbing. We wove through this maze until we came out in the haulage tunnel of the War Eagle Mine. Fifteen minutes later, we excited the other side of the mountain. What an amazing feeling it is to enter one side of the mountain and exit the other.




    To celebrate our successful explorations, we decided to head to the Tecopa Hot Springs Delights Resort to warm up and clean up. The water was amazing; just the perfect temperature. Some of us remembered swim suits, while those that did not were forced to enter in their underwear. The ladies did not seem to mind. After tainting the water with our mine bodies, we all returned to camp for our last nights sleep.



    Overall, the February trip was a success. Everybody enjoyed themselves and had a great time. We made new friends, found new places, saw new things, and each of us learned a little more in regards to our mining history, and a more proper way to relive the lives of those who made the west what it is.

    The entire photo gallery can be viewed here:
    Photo Gallery
    -Fish
    Mojave Mine Team
    MU Web Administrator

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  • joegibbs
    Junior Member
    Mojave Child
    • Sep 2007
    • 16

    #2
    Wow this sounds like a blast! I haven't checked this site in almost a year. In my old age, I'm not so much up on the techno gadgets. Thanks for the trip report Mike. I really wish I could be young again and join all ya'll.
    Who hides in the shadows? Who lurks beneath? Who is a puppet, who grinds his teeth? Joe Gibbs

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    • Mike
      Administrator
      True Mojave
      • Sep 2007
      • 1050

      #3
      Hey Joe good to see you on here again! We haven't seen you out at Ophir yet, thats a mine about anybody can handle.
      -Fish
      Mojave Mine Team
      MU Web Administrator

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      • CaverStretch
        Advanced Explorer
        Mojave Miner
        • Oct 2008
        • 130

        #4
        Good trip report. Very well done!!
        Robert Cranney
        Mojave Mine Team
        The "Dude with the Trailer"

        "It's time to put on your big girl panties and climb that ladder."

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        • ExpUt
          Senior Member
          True Mojave
          • Jul 2008
          • 557

          #5
          Great trip report. Looks like you guys & gals had a great time... really wishing I could have made it. Next time!

          PS. Who was driving the 4Runner? I think I know him Mojave Member?
          Kurt Williams
          CruiserOutfitters.com
          ExpeditionUtah.com
          MojaveUnderground.com

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          • TooeleCherokee
            Member
            Mojave Teen
            • Jan 2009
            • 46

            #6
            Great write up..

            Kurt you should know him he also has a scrambler and is a member of Big Horn 4X4.. named Mike

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            • ExpUt
              Senior Member
              True Mojave
              • Jul 2008
              • 557

              #7
              Originally posted by TooeleCherokee
              ...Kurt you should know him he also has a scrambler and is a member of Big Horn 4X4.. named Mike
              Ah yes, I do know him. Really a nice guy, I think I sold him the suspension kit thats on his 4Runner too. Is Mike a Mojave member?
              Kurt Williams
              CruiserOutfitters.com
              ExpeditionUtah.com
              MojaveUnderground.com

              Comment

              • TooeleCherokee
                Member
                Mojave Teen
                • Jan 2009
                • 46

                #8
                Originally posted by ExpUt
                Originally posted by TooeleCherokee
                ...Kurt you should know him he also has a scrambler and is a member of Big Horn 4X4.. named Mike
                Ah yes, I do know him. Really a nice guy, I think I sold him the suspension kit thats on his 4Runner too. Is Mike a Mojave member?
                Very nice guy.. he let me drive his runner for a bit.. Do you remember what Kit you sold him? My moms 4 runner needs a lift and that thing rode SMOOOOOOTH...

                Opps Hyjack

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                • Mike
                  Administrator
                  True Mojave
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 1050

                  #9
                  I don't know if Mike has registered on MU. I believe he said he did, but I don't recall his username.
                  -Fish
                  Mojave Mine Team
                  MU Web Administrator

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                  • Stuart
                    Administrator
                    True Mojave
                    • Sep 2007
                    • 828

                    #10
                    Great writeup fish!

                    That second ladder drop in the Columbia was quite an adventure, I think it would not be so bad if I didn't climb out so fast. Can't wait to get back down there this fall.
                    -Stuart Burgess
                    Mojave Mine Team

                    Project Manager
                    Burgess Exploration LLC
                    http://www.burgex.com

                    Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MineExplorer
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                    • ExpUt
                      Senior Member
                      True Mojave
                      • Jul 2008
                      • 557

                      #11
                      Originally posted by TooeleCherokee
                      Originally posted by ExpUt
                      Originally posted by TooeleCherokee
                      ...Kurt you should know him he also has a scrambler and is a member of Big Horn 4X4.. named Mike
                      Ah yes, I do know him. Really a nice guy, I think I sold him the suspension kit thats on his 4Runner too. Is Mike a Mojave member?
                      Very nice guy.. he let me drive his runner for a bit.. Do you remember what Kit you sold him? My moms 4 runner needs a lift and that thing rode SMOOOOOOTH...

                      Opps Hyjack
                      Old Man Emu - Medium
                      Kurt Williams
                      CruiserOutfitters.com
                      ExpeditionUtah.com
                      MojaveUnderground.com

                      Comment

                      • Mike
                        Administrator
                        True Mojave
                        • Sep 2007
                        • 1050

                        #12
                        Did anybody grab one of the Tecopa history books?
                        -Fish
                        Mojave Mine Team
                        MU Web Administrator

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                        • Mike
                          Administrator
                          True Mojave
                          • Sep 2007
                          • 1050

                          #13
                          Also, Roberts video is up:



                          We recommend muting the audio track and playing your favorite station on pandora.
                          -Fish
                          Mojave Mine Team
                          MU Web Administrator

                          Follow us on Facebook

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                          • TooeleCherokee
                            Member
                            Mojave Teen
                            • Jan 2009
                            • 46

                            #14
                            Cool movie Rob

                            I now have more understanding of your deep dark secret that you told us of on the way down after hearing your music choice .

                            Just let us know and we will get that scout master for you :P

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                            • one_bad_rover

                              #15
                              So the guys under the rover, they were probably looking for some great inspiration of how to fix the truck that broke down, right?

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