Hidden Falls Mine

[dwurst]

Was wondering if anyone knew the name of the mine entrance at the base of hidden falls in big cottonwood canyon just above the S curve, I think i may have found another way into this mine but don't know anything about it and don't want to go exploring without a little background info, any help would be great.

thanks.

[ExpUt]

The one at N 40° 38' 6.979", W 111° 43' 22.048"?

Nothing named or notable that I can find. A drain tunnel for the Maxfield Mine was started but only extended a short distance. Another tunnel extends ~35' NE from the base of Hidden Falls. The only prospect name I see is the 'Squirrel' prospect, operated around the turn of the century by Sam McNutt, a local hermit. Lady in the Ore Bucket might detail a bit more? All my info comes from the USGS Big Cottonwood Mining District history/survey published in 1979.

[dwurst]

Thanks for the information i was having trouble finding anything at all on it other than it was there.

[Danb]

Growing up at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, I have been in this tunnel many times years ago. It goes in a few hundred feet and ends.

I haven’t been there in years and it may be closed now?

And I was just thinking of the Maxfield mine a few days ago and remembered the 2 guys that where lost in there for a few days and where rescued. About 1987 ? The lower entrance is now closed but a short hike will take you to the upper entrance. Don’t know if it is open. If you lost your lighting like they did, it would be very difficult to find your way back out.

Dan

[ExpUt]

...And I was just thinking of the Maxfield mine a few days ago and remembered the 2 guys that where lost in there for a few days and where rescued. About 1987 ? The lower entrance is now closed but a short hike will take you to the upper entrance. Don’t know if it is open. If you lost your lighting like they did, it would be very difficult to find your way back out....

The lower entrance has all the water pouring out of it right? Do you know 'how' they closed it? I'd be interested to know more about the upper entrance... anyone?

[Danb]

Yes, the lower entrance has the pipe with water draining out. Not the one further up the canyon also with water draining out (no pipe).
Years ago you could climb above the pipe and look down into the tunnel. We went in/down about 10 feet to find the tunnel with about
4 feet of ice cold water. I didn’t have a wet suit at the time. Then a few years later we found it had caved. Natural or man made, I don’t know.

The upper entrance is up Mill A Gulch. About here: N 40° 38’43.74” W 111° 40’ 58.96. About a 30 min. hike. We went in about 100-200 ft. Then droped down about 10 ft. over back filled rocks. The whole lower tunnel was lined with back filled rocks. You had to see the painted arrows or other signs to know where to climb up to get out.

Danb

[ExpUt]

Yes, the lower entrance has the pipe with water draining out. Not the one further up the canyon also with water draining out (no pipe).
Years ago you could climb above the pipe and look down into the tunnel. We went in/down about 10 feet to find the tunnel with about
4 feet of ice cold water. I didn’t have a wet suit at the time. Then a few years later we found it had caved. Natural or man made, I don’t know.

The upper entrance is up Mill A Gulch. About here: N 40° 38’43.74” W 111° 40’ 58.96. About a 30 min. hike. We went in about 100-200 ft. Then droped down about 10 ft. over back filled rocks. The whole lower tunnel was lined with back filled rocks. You had to see the painted arrows or other signs to know where to climb up to get out.

Danb

Cool, I'll have to get up there and check that out. I've got workings maps of the Maxfield and they show it as a fairy extensive mine.

I've been digging for more info on those stuck in the Maxfield Mine, came up with one of their names from a DOGM webpage "Dennis Workman, a Salt Lake resident trapped in the Maxfield mine for 56 hours". Given it happened pre-Internet days I'd likely have to do some archive digging to find more info.

[$ alex $]

is the Maxfield Tunnel the one near the hidden falls, or is it the one at the base of Mineral Fork? just wondering... i would love to hear more about secondary entrances!!!