https://mojaveunderground.com/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=71.219.7.85Mojave Underground USA Wiki - User contributions [en]2026-09-28T08:01:03ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.9https://mojaveunderground.com/wiki/index.php?title=Skin_Diver_Mine&diff=850Skin Diver Mine2008-08-10T23:36:26Z<p>71.219.7.85: </p>
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<div>The Skin Diver mine is located in Dry Canyon, just north of Ophir, UT. The mine's modern name was derived from its tight squeeze to enter through the gate. Its actual name is unknown. <br />
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The mine is very stable and offers a good 1/2 - 1 hour worth of exploring. It's safety concerns are minimal. There is a steep incline inside that has anchor points for dropping in with rope. <br />
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==Requirements==<br />
High Clearance Vehicle<br />
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Mine Exploration Gear<br />
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==Location==<br />
40.368455 -112.290144<br />
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'''Please view our [[Mine Safety]] article before exploring abandoned mines.'''<br />
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<googlemap version="0.9" lat="40.373621" lon="-112.291603" zoom="13"><br />
(M)40.368455, -112.290144<br />
SkinDiver Mine<br />
(T)40.36624, -112.26481, Ophir, UT<br />
Ophir, UT<br />
</googlemap></div>71.219.7.85https://mojaveunderground.com/wiki/index.php?title=Ophir_Hill_Mine&diff=849Ophir Hill Mine2008-08-10T23:31:52Z<p>71.219.7.85: </p>
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<div>The Ophir Hill Mine was the last mine to operate in the Ophir District. Stopping production in the 1970's, Ophir Hill was primarily a lead-zinc producer. It is in immaculate condition, full of artifacts, and makes for quite an adventure. <br />
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One of the most notable areas inside the mine is a massive subterranean lake, 600-700 ft in depth, and several football fields in extent. Perched about 250 ft above the above the summer water level is a mine tunnel where you can peer far below into the depths one of the most fascinating hydrological mysteries of the west. The lake drains in the winter, several hundreds of feet down, into a gravelly sand flat 'beachy' area. Many believe that in this 'beach' there are hidden fissures that may be hiding quicksand-like traps with upwelling water. <br />
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The Mine is currently owned by the Ault family. It is strongly gated and closely watched. Please do not attempt entering this mine within permission. The residents of the canyon have taken a lot of time to make the town a nice place to visit. Please respect their efforts.<br />
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==Location==<br />
40.369395 -112.258789<br />
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<googlemap version="0.9" lat="40.369243" lon="-112.258682" zoom="17"><br />
40.369395, -112.258789<br />
Ophir Hill Mine<br />
</googlemap></div>71.219.7.85https://mojaveunderground.com/wiki/index.php?title=Ophir&diff=848Ophir2008-08-10T23:15:19Z<p>71.219.7.85: /* Mine Closures */</p>
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<div>'''Ophir''' Utah is a small semi ghost town just off highway 73. The Ophir Hill mine has many artifacts that have been removed from the mine and placed outside. It makes for a good tourist destination. The land owners do not take lightly finding people on their property without permission; if traveling through the area, please respect any Private Property and No Trespassing signs.<br />
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[[Image:Ophir0.jpg|thumb]]<br />
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== History ==<br />
Named after the King Solomon's (of the Bible) mines, Ophir got its start from army men looking for mineral wealth. General Patrick Connor and his troops made some of the first claims in the area which would become Ophir in 1865. The Ophir mining district was organized in 1870 and by 1871 more than 2,500 mining claims had been staked with the town population reaching 1,200. Most of these mines help very shallow lodes, causing many to eventually leave. A drop in silver prices eventually led to the slow and stop of most production in Ophir. High amounts of silver is still held within the larger mines, and the claims are still held, showing mining might one day begin again within these hills.<br />
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Ophir's profits from silver and gold were record breaking. Within a few weeks, over $1,000,000 of nearly pure silver was dug from the Kearsage Mine. Other high producing mines included the Velocipede, Shamrock, Miner's Delight, Wild Delirium, and the massive producer, The Ophir Hill Mine. The Ophir Hill Mine boasted an average 20,000 ounces of ore per ton. <br />
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"This was the typical mining town - saloons, gambling and dance halls, red-light houses, hotels [The Pioneer, built 1870], cafes, stores, and living quarters".<br />
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==Mine Closures==<br />
In late 2007, many of the mines in the Ophir area were either gated or backfilled by the Utah Department of Oil, Gas, and Mining. A few attempts have been made by the property owners and others to remove these illegally placed gates. When speaking to a representative about the removal of these gates, it was stated that nothing could be or would be done to stop the removal; somewhere along the lines, eventually another gate might by put back up.<br />
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==Requirements==<br />
4x4 vehicle is exploring outside of city<br />
Mine Exploration Gear<br />
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[[Image:Ophir.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Ophir, Utah in winter.]]<br />
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==Forum Link==<br />
http://www.mojaveunderground.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44<br />
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==Demographics==<br />
As of the census of 2000, there were 23 people, 10 households, and 6 families residing in the town. The population density was 143.0 people per square mile (55.5/km²). There were 33 housing units at an average density of 205.1/sq&nbsp;mi (79.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.65% White and 4.35% Asian.<br />
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There were 10 households out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, and 40.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.17.<br />
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In the town the population was spread out with 8.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 8.7% from 25 to 44, 43.5% from 45 to 64, and 30.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.<br />
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The median income for a household in the town was $50,000, and the median income for a family was $49,167. Males had a median income of $46,875 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,906. None of the population or families were below the poverty line.<br />
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==Location==<br />
40.369102, -112.258534<br />
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==References==<br />
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Carr, Stephen L. The Historical Guide to Utah Ghost Towns<br />
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Carter, Kate B. Our Pioneer Heritage Vol 14. Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1971 Salt Lake City, Utah<br />
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Thompson, George A. Some Dreams Die: Utah's Ghost Towns and Lost Treasures<br />
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Please respect the property of the Ophir Canyon area. <br />
<googlemap lat="40.3689" lon="-112.257" zoom="10" width='800' controls="small"><br />
40.3689,-112.257, Ophir, UT<br />
</googlemap></div>71.219.7.85