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This was a great trip! I think it was definitely one of our best so far.
Yesterday afternoon we packed up all our gear and met at the Wal-Mart parking lot in south Orem. As soon as everyone got everything situated in the vehicles we headed out to Eureka. On the way we stopped on the road just outside of Goshen and looked at the Tintic Reduction Mill , I took some time and explained the importance of the mill to the area. When we reached Eureka we stopped down on the Historic main street and looked at the artifacts and old buildings. We then drove up the hill to the Eagle-Bluebell shaft to peer down into the depths and cool off in the mist coming out of it. We explored the shaft house and some of the other surrounding support buildings, then we suited up to go into the mine. Luckily there we no owls or stormtroopers waiting in the portal to attack us this time. We explored all the tunnels on the main level and studied a headframe deep inside the mine, which was being eaten away by the moisture. We found some interesting rocks to study on our way out of the mine.
As we headed out of Eureka we stopped by the fake Bullion Beck headframe to discuss the damage done to the structure and laugh at DOGM. The small community of Mammoth was quiet, with the exception of a few dozen barking dogs, as we passed through it on the way up to the Hey Stevens adit. Likewise to the Eagle-Bluebell portal, the Hey Stevens was fairly small on the main level, but contained a large internal headframe. This headframe is the treasure of the mine with big spools of cable and an interesting staircase that I climbed up. I did a little balancing act while taking pictures from the top of the headframe, but I managed to get at least one decent one. After leaving the Hey Stevens we drooled over the Mammoth portal and imagined what it would look like inside.
Getting to the Little Sahara proved to be a little bit of a challenge as half the group flew past the turnoff and headed off toward Delta. Crystal and I patiently waited for the group to realize their folly and turn around. We decided to ditch the sand, wind, and ATV's so we drove back on the dirt road and found a nice quiet place to camp for the night. Jeremiah and I prepared a tasty Steak, Potatoes, and grilled asparagus dinner as the rest of the group set up camp. After dinner we put a few dozen rounds of lead into the hill and lit a nice "little" camp fire. I told stories and we chit-chatted a bit then we headed off to bed. Coyotes howled at the full moon and we slept through a little rainfall. In the morning Crystal cooked us blueberry pancakes and bacon while Mike prepared a hearty mountain man breakfast. A three course breakfast is a wonderful way to start the day.
Topaz Mountain proved to be a little bit longer of a drive than the signs portrayed it to be. After stopping to discuss directions a few times we reached the mountain and began to chisel away at the rocks. We looked for about an hour then decided to try a new spot where we found small topaz crystals allover the ground. We spent the next few hours here prying rocks apart and getting rained on. When the rain subsided we pulled out the guns again so Bradley, Mike, Chris, and the other Mike could put a few more rounds into the hillside. The drive out to the mountain was worth it as we did find a few good topaz specimens.
On the way home we enjoyed the scenic sage brush and juniper as we drove back into the storm that had just passed over us. The rain was refreshing and kept the dust down. After another stop for a refuel in downtown Eureka we headed home. This was a really fun trip and I think we all had a great time. I can't wait to go again!
-Mojave
Yesterday afternoon we packed up all our gear and met at the Wal-Mart parking lot in south Orem. As soon as everyone got everything situated in the vehicles we headed out to Eureka. On the way we stopped on the road just outside of Goshen and looked at the Tintic Reduction Mill , I took some time and explained the importance of the mill to the area. When we reached Eureka we stopped down on the Historic main street and looked at the artifacts and old buildings. We then drove up the hill to the Eagle-Bluebell shaft to peer down into the depths and cool off in the mist coming out of it. We explored the shaft house and some of the other surrounding support buildings, then we suited up to go into the mine. Luckily there we no owls or stormtroopers waiting in the portal to attack us this time. We explored all the tunnels on the main level and studied a headframe deep inside the mine, which was being eaten away by the moisture. We found some interesting rocks to study on our way out of the mine.
As we headed out of Eureka we stopped by the fake Bullion Beck headframe to discuss the damage done to the structure and laugh at DOGM. The small community of Mammoth was quiet, with the exception of a few dozen barking dogs, as we passed through it on the way up to the Hey Stevens adit. Likewise to the Eagle-Bluebell portal, the Hey Stevens was fairly small on the main level, but contained a large internal headframe. This headframe is the treasure of the mine with big spools of cable and an interesting staircase that I climbed up. I did a little balancing act while taking pictures from the top of the headframe, but I managed to get at least one decent one. After leaving the Hey Stevens we drooled over the Mammoth portal and imagined what it would look like inside.
Getting to the Little Sahara proved to be a little bit of a challenge as half the group flew past the turnoff and headed off toward Delta. Crystal and I patiently waited for the group to realize their folly and turn around. We decided to ditch the sand, wind, and ATV's so we drove back on the dirt road and found a nice quiet place to camp for the night. Jeremiah and I prepared a tasty Steak, Potatoes, and grilled asparagus dinner as the rest of the group set up camp. After dinner we put a few dozen rounds of lead into the hill and lit a nice "little" camp fire. I told stories and we chit-chatted a bit then we headed off to bed. Coyotes howled at the full moon and we slept through a little rainfall. In the morning Crystal cooked us blueberry pancakes and bacon while Mike prepared a hearty mountain man breakfast. A three course breakfast is a wonderful way to start the day.
Topaz Mountain proved to be a little bit longer of a drive than the signs portrayed it to be. After stopping to discuss directions a few times we reached the mountain and began to chisel away at the rocks. We looked for about an hour then decided to try a new spot where we found small topaz crystals allover the ground. We spent the next few hours here prying rocks apart and getting rained on. When the rain subsided we pulled out the guns again so Bradley, Mike, Chris, and the other Mike could put a few more rounds into the hillside. The drive out to the mountain was worth it as we did find a few good topaz specimens.
On the way home we enjoyed the scenic sage brush and juniper as we drove back into the storm that had just passed over us. The rain was refreshing and kept the dust down. After another stop for a refuel in downtown Eureka we headed home. This was a really fun trip and I think we all had a great time. I can't wait to go again!
-Mojave
Good report there mr. stuart.
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