Mojave Underground USA Wiki - User contributions [en]

Skin Diver Mine

2010-06-25T06:31:21Z

Stuart:

The Skin Diver (Silver Reef) 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 the Silver Reef Mine.

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 may connect to a lower level or to the mine lower on the mountain.
==Requirements==
High Clearance Vehicle

Mine Exploration Gear

Vertical Gear for the incline
==Location==
40.368455 -112.290144

----

'''Please view our [[Mine Safety]] article before exploring abandoned mines.'''

<googlemap version="0.9" lat="40.373621" lon="-112.291603" zoom="13">
(M)40.368455, -112.290144
SkinDiver Mine
(T)40.36624, -112.26481, Ophir, UT
Ophir, UT
</googlemap>

Skin Diver Mine

2010-06-25T06:30:46Z

Stuart:

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 the Silver Reef Mine.

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 may connect to a lower level or to the mine lower on the mountain.
==Requirements==
High Clearance Vehicle

Mine Exploration Gear

Vertical Gear for the incline
==Location==
40.368455 -112.290144

----

'''Please view our [[Mine Safety]] article before exploring abandoned mines.'''

<googlemap version="0.9" lat="40.373621" lon="-112.291603" zoom="13">
(M)40.368455, -112.290144
SkinDiver Mine
(T)40.36624, -112.26481, Ophir, UT
Ophir, UT
</googlemap>

Gold Hill

2008-06-08T05:49:58Z

Stuart:

[[Image:Goldhill_store.jpg|thumb|Gold Hill general store]]
Gold Hill is located on Gold Hill Wash. Gold Hill is a town that has come close to death and been revived many times. Gold Hill started with the arrival of California gold prospectors who first found riches on the hill in the form of copper, silver, lead, tungsten, arsenic, and bismuth. Established officially in 1892, Gold Hill was mostly a tent city that all but died at the turn of the century. The first world war breathed new life into Gold Hill with the rising demand for copper and arsenic. Several of Gold Hills mines were re-opened, but moving the ore was slow due to the lack of a railroad. The transportation problem was solved in 1917 when the Deep Creek Railroad arrived from Wendover. With the solid foundation of a rail system and a high demand produced by war the town boomed with a population of 3000. As is the way with all boom towns, the high demand for ore ceased and the town shriveled up in the desert heat. The last train from Wendover chugged out in 1938, and the tracks were removed in 1940. Gold Hill seemed to be a dead town until the second world war shook it back to life in the mid 1940's. This time arsenic was in demand again along with tungsten, idle mines began production and electricity was brought to the town. This boom lasted only a short time as the government ordered all the mines to stop production two years later. Gold Hill was once again abandoned by all but a few hardy citizens.

== Location ==
N 40°09.98' W 113°49.81'

== Map ==
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="40.167347" lon="-113.830161" zoom="16">40.167347,-113.830161,Gold Hill
</googlemap>

Gold Hill

2008-06-08T05:45:16Z

Stuart:

Gold Hill

2008-06-08T05:38:11Z

Stuart:

Gold Hill

2008-06-08T05:32:39Z

Stuart:

File:Goldhill store.jpg

2008-06-08T05:27:18Z

Stuart:

Gold Hill

2008-06-08T05:17:24Z

Stuart: New page: Gold Hill is located on Gold Hill Wash. Gold Hill is a town that has come close to death and been revived many times. Gold Hill started with the arrival of California gold prospectors who ...

Gold Hill is located on Gold Hill Wash. Gold Hill is a town that has come close to death and been revived many times. Gold Hill started with the arrival of California gold prospectors who first found riches on the hill in the form of copper, silver, lead, tungsten, arsenic, and bismuth. Established officially in 1892, Gold Hill was mostly a tent city that all but died at the turn of the century. The first world war breathed new life into Gold Hill with the rising demand for copper and arsenic. Several of Gold Hills mines were re-opened, but moving the ore was slow due to the lack of a railroad. The transportation problem was solved in 1917 when the Deep Creek Railroad arrived from Wendover. With the solid foundation of a rail system and a high demand produced by war the town boomed with a population of 3000. As is the way with all boom towns, the high demand for ore ceased and the town shriveled up in the desert heat. The last train from Wendover chugged out in 1938, and the tracks were removed in 1940. Gold Hill seemed to be a dead town until the second world war shook it back to life in the mid 1940's. This time arsenic was in demand again along with tungsten, idle mines began production and electricity was brought to the town. This boom lasted only a short time as the government ordered all the mines to stop production two years later. Gold Hill was once again abandoned by all but a few hardy citizens.

Thistle

2008-06-08T04:45:04Z

Stuart:

[[Image:thistle.jpg|thumb|Sunken Home in Thistle]]
Thistle, a small ranching and farming community in Spanish Fork canyon, was once an important stop along the north-south railroad from Salt Lake City to Marysvale. In 1890 a railroad junction that came down through the Sanpete Valley was built there and was used to transport food and livestock. In 1913 Thistle had about 600 residents and the prosperity of the town varied with the winds of the railroad. By 1972 the depot was finally closed and the town dwindled. A few residents toughed it out and lived a quit life until the winter of 1983.

== Disaster Strikes ==

On April 14, 1983, a massive landslide (known as a slump) moved part of the mountain and blocked two creeks, forming an earthen dam. The citizens were evacuated as nearly 65,000 acre-feet (80,000,000 m³) of water from the creeks backed up, flooding and destroying the town. Thistle was unable to recover from this natural disaster; to this day it remains a ghost town. Very little of the town is left; only the roofs of some buildings are still visible.

The landslide closed the railroad for months. U.S. Highway 6 was closed for almost a year. Both road and railroad were rerouted by blasting through the Billies Mountain to the north. Mitigation infrastructure was also put in place to redirect water flow past the landslide area, though a small pond remains. Two adjacent rest areas pay tribute to the town and the residents who lost everything.

The Thistle landslide is so far the only federal disaster area declared in Utah. The slide is considered the most costly single landslide in U.S. history.[1] In addition to destroying the town the landslide was devastating to the economy of Southern and Eastern Utah. With the major transportation arteries cut, it was infeasible to transport goods in or out of the area. Many coal miners, farmers, tourism and transportation workers lost their jobs. Estimates placed the damage to Utah's economy at 200+ million U.S. Dollars.[2]

A few small homes are still standing and can be explored. Most of them are filled with water and sunk into the earth.

== Location ==
39°59′29″N, 111°29′54″W
Thistle is located in Spanish Fork Canyon. Recommend looking up GPS coordinates first.

== Forum Link ==
http://www.mojaveunderground.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8

<googlemap lat="39.9897" lon="-111.499" zoom="10" controls="small">
39.9897,-111.499, Thistle
</googlemap>

Thistle

2008-06-08T04:44:38Z

Stuart:

Mercur

2008-06-08T04:29:45Z

Stuart:

[[Image:mercur2.jpg|thumb|Mercur, UT]]
Mercur, UT, is the western terminus of the Salt Lake & Mercur railroad, situated 58 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. In the old days it was a silver camp. Finally it was abandoned and remained in a deserted state until the cyanide process of extracting gold from low grade ore was given to the world. Then Mercur became a lively camp and finally was incorporated in 1896. It is famous as the home of the noted Mercur and Golden Gate mines. The town has enjoyed the reputation of being the most moral and quiet camp on the continent. It has a good school system and a number of churches. The census of 1900 fixed its population at 2351.
Mercur, UT was a ghost town located in the Tooele Mining District. The land where Mercur used to be is now controlled by Barrick Gold Corporation, they have completely destroyed all of the town and surrounding areas. Trespassing is not allowed and the site is posted as being watched under closed curcuit television.

[[Image:mercur1.jpg|thumb|Mercur, UT]]

== History ==
Mercur, UT, the great cyanide gold camp and the second largest mining town in Utah, was practically wiped out of existence by a large city fire. The origin of the fire remains a mystery beyond the fact that it began with an explosion of some kind about 9 o’clock in the upper story of the Preble block, in which the Oquirrh hotel and a saloon were located. A short time after the fire broke out, the telephone exchange was destroyed and all wire communication cut off.

===Courier's Report===
At 2:30 o’clock this afternoon a courier rode into Fairfield, a station on the Tintic branch of the Oregon Short Line railway and phoned that Mercur had been wiped off the map so far as the business district is concerned. Not less than 40 or 50 stores have been completely destroyed, and there is not a single store left in the camp. The people are in a destitute and pitiable condition. At least 1000 are without food and shelter. Governor Wells and Mayor Thompson of Salt Lake were appealed to for immediate assistance. Fully 80 per cent of the town has been destroyed. Not one business house remains and scores of dwellings have been completely destroyed.

===Great Confusion===
Shortly after the fire broke out it was realized that the entire town was in danger, and immediately the greatest confusion prevailed. All available vehicles of every description were pressed into service and every effort was made to save household goods and stores, but so rapidly did the flames spread that people were forced to flee for their lives and practically nothing was saved.

The streets became congested with teams and the excitement was increased by the frequent explosions of giant powder stored in the various portions of town. So far as known, however, no loss of life resulted. A conservative estimate places the total loss at between $800,000 and $1,000,000 and the insurance at $350,000.

===Buildings Destroyed===
Among the buildings destroyed are the McCormick & Co. bank; the largest structure of the Union Mercantile company; the Palmer House; the Catholic and Baptist churches and the telephone exchange.

The Mormon churches were not damaged and have been converted into places of refuge for the most helpless and destitute of the women and the children.

===Relief Train Started===
Governor Wells, Mayor Thompson of Salt Lake, Oregon Short Line railway officials and a number of prominent Salt Lake citizens late this afternoon arranged for a special train with needed supplies, which left Salt Lake early this evening for the stricken town.

Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise City, ID 26 Jun 1902

==Rebuilding Mercur==

None of the Mining Property was Destroyed. The work of rebuilding the section of this town destroyed by yesterday’s great fire was begun early today. It is the opinion of the most prominent citizens that the town will be rebuilt better and with more adequate protection against fire.

Provisions enough to last for several days arrived last night and today those made homeless have been provided for. None of the mining property was damaged and the mining industry will proceed without interruption.

==Location==
40.319256° -112.211197° @ 6800'
Mercur is located near Ophir, UT. It can be reached by traveling on Highway 73. Look for the Mercur Turnoff.

----
<googlemap lat="40.319256" lon="-112.211197" zoom="10" controls="small">
40.319256,-112.211197, Mercur, UT
</googlemap>

Lincoln Mine

2008-06-08T04:17:53Z

Stuart:

[[Image:lm1.jpg|thumb|Main Lincoln Mine Opening]]
The Lincoln Mine is part of a concentrated mining district in the Mineral Mountains, just north west of Minersville, Beaver County, UT.The Lincoln mine is possibly one of the oldest mines in America. It is believed that the Spanish began tunneling into the Lincoln mine during the 18th century. later discovered by Mormon bishop James Rollins in 1858, the ore of the old Spanish mine was used to make bullets that turned out to be nearly pure silver! The area is full of shafts, portals, mining equipment, and ponds. The mine is near the top of Bradshaw Mountain. There are several roads that meander off towards the mine; you can drive right to it in a 4WD truck. It also offers some nice hiking. Rail tracks come out the entrance of the mine, which opening is about 10' across.
A few hundred feet down the mountain and to the west, another tunnel cuts eastward into that mountain. This tunnel is full of water. about 20 feet in, it fills to about waist deep. A cave in has occurred about 1000' in, making passing very difficult. DO NOT ENTER THIS MINE WITHOUT PROPER GEAR. It has been suggested that this mine was dug to empty that actual lincoln mine, which is located above this adit. The water flowing out of this tunnel formed a nice little stream with a significant volume of flow. A water pipe runs though the tunnel, also suggesting that at one point, this tunnel was drained.

Further reading can be found in:
-George Thompson's book, ''Some Dreams Die'' (Highly recommended reading for all mines)
-Backcountry Adventures Utah (The ultimate guide to the Utah Backcountry)
[[Image:lm2.jpg|thumb|Second Lincoln Mine Opening]]
----

=== Forum Discussion ===
http://www.mojaveunderground.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38&highlight=Lincoln

----

=== Requirements ===
4x4 Vehicle Highly recommended, but not necessary.

Mine Exploration Gear
[[Image:lm3.jpg|thumb|Mike returning from exploring tunnel]]
----

=== Locations ===
Follow the Lincoln Gulch, just NW of Minersville. Its a dirt road. Look for a small stream on your south side. This should bring you to the approximate area.

38.267270° -112.887619° @ 6300'

----
[[Image:lm4.jpg|thumb|Flooded mine]]

<googlemap lat="38.267270" lon="-112.887619" zoom="12" controls="small">
38.267270,-112.887619, Lincoln Mining Area
</googlemap>

Lincoln Mine

2008-06-08T04:17:04Z

Stuart:

[[Image:lm1.jpg|thumb|Main Lincoln Mine Opening]]
The Lincoln Mine is part of a concentrated mining district in the Mineral Mountains, just north west of Minersville, Beaver County, UT.

The Lincoln mine is possibly one of the oldest mines in America. It is believed that the Spanish began tunneling into the Lincoln mine during the 18th century. later discovered by Mormon bishop James Rollins in 1858, the ore of the old Spanish mine was used to make bullets that turned out to be nearly pure silver! The area is full of shafts, portals, mining equipment, and ponds. The mine is near the top of Bradshaw Mountain. There are several roads that meander off towards the mine; you can drive right to it in a 4WD truck. It also offers some nice hiking. Rail tracks come out the entrance of the mine, which opening is about 10' across.
A few hundred feet down the mountain and to the west, another tunnel cuts eastward into that mountain. This tunnel is full of water. about 20 feet in, it fills to about waist deep. A cave in has occurred about 1000' in, making passing very difficult. DO NOT ENTER THIS MINE WITHOUT PROPER GEAR. It has been suggested that this mine was dug to empty that actual lincoln mine, which is located above this adit. The water flowing out of this tunnel formed a nice little stream with a significant volume of flow. A water pipe runs though the tunnel, also suggesting that at one point, this tunnel was drained.

Further reading can be found in:
-George Thompson's book, ''Some Dreams Die'' (Highly recommended reading for all mines)
-Backcountry Adventures Utah (The ultimate guide to the Utah Backcountry)
[[Image:lm2.jpg|thumb|Second Lincoln Mine Opening]]
----

=== Forum Discussion ===
http://www.mojaveunderground.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38&highlight=Lincoln

----

=== Requirements ===
4x4 Vehicle Highly recommended, but not necessary.

Mine Exploration Gear
[[Image:lm3.jpg|thumb|Mike returning from exploring tunnel]]
----

=== Locations ===
Follow the Lincoln Gulch, just NW of Minersville. Its a dirt road. Look for a small stream on your south side. This should bring you to the approximate area.

38.267270° -112.887619° @ 6300'

----
[[Image:lm4.jpg|thumb|Lower Lincoln Mine Opening]]

<googlemap lat="38.267270" lon="-112.887619" zoom="12" controls="small">
38.267270,-112.887619, Lincoln Mining Area
</googlemap>