The Original Sixteen To One Mine

[fredmcain]

Group,

Is everyone on our list familiar with The Original Sixteen To One Mine
in Northern California?

This mine is absolutely and utterly unbelievable! I can't believe I
found this!!!

First of all, it is a HUGE mine with nearly 30 *MILES* (yes, that's
right MILES) of drifts and winzes. Parts of the mine are still in
operation today and best of all (for me anyhow) it has TRACKS! And
some of the tracks are still in active use!

You can actually buy stock in this mine, if you want to. I am very
seriously thinking about doing exactly that. The mine also has its
own online forum. If there is anybody on our list unfamiliar with
this, I strongly urge you to check this out.

Here is the URL for their website: http://www.origsix.com/index.asp

And here is a link to a schmatic of the mine:

http://www.origsix.com/f/Image/maps/map_big.jpg

Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable! But! it gets even better!

It is possible to sign up by special appointment for a three to four
hour underground tour of the mine. And for $600 they take you through
an "all day" tour.

Who in the world would pay $600 for a gold mine tour? Me! In a New York minute!

Does anybody on our list know if there are any more mines like this
around? I think this really is quite a find!

Be sure to check out their photo album, too!
Here is a nice shot of an underground, fully tracked junction:



And here is a photo of two guys pushing an ore cart:



Regards,
Fred M. Cain,
Topeka, Indiana

[Kiel]

I can take you on a mine tour with 20 miles of tunnels, winzes and drifts for 550.00 haha

[fredmcain]

I can take you on a mine tour with 20 miles of tunnels, winzes and drifts for 550.00 haha

Uh-oh, careful now! I might just take you up on that one! Shoot, why not? I'd do both mines and then some! I wonder what the current Amtrak fares are from northern Indiana to Utah and California?

By the way, another thing on the Sixteen To One that I failed to mention yesterday, I was looking at the online U.S. Geological Survey Topo map for that area yesterday and I was astounded to see that the hills and mountains around that area are absolutely riddled with mines. Furthermore, the area is so remote and "off the beaten path" that I doubt very many of them have been sealed. If I could go on a vacation there, I'd be like a small child in a candy store!

Regards,
Fred M. Cain

[Joanne]

Uh-oh, careful now! I might just take you up on that one! Shoot, why not? I'd do both mines and then some! I wonder what the current Amtrak fares are from northern Indiana to Utah and California?

Why not? I have a friend who flies here a couple times a year from London, England for 10 days of mine exploring our great dry mines.

Joanne

[fredmcain]

Joanne and Group,

I found a really cute YouTube video of the Sixteen To One Mine here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DZDQysk2XA

I almost put this under the "Mines With Tracks" thread because at the beginning there is some nice footage showing the operation of the mine's railway! Also, I just LOVE that "Ragtime" guitar pickin' in the background!

You mentioned having a friend from England who likes abandoned mines. Yesterday I found this new site on Ireland:

http://abandonedminesofireland.wordpress.com/tag/abandoned-mines-of-ireland/

Evidently, there are people fascinated with mines all over the world!

Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Topeka, Indiana