Impossible
Mine
Tino and I joined up with Dave from California Mine Explorers for another trip to the deep
dark.  From the info Dave passed on to me earlier, and research that I had done, I figured this
mine to be a lot of fun.

We met up early Saturday morning and headed 31 miles out into the desert in search of the
“Impossible” mine.  Upon arriving at the mine site, we found all types of equipment left at this
site.  A truck, an excavator, generators, compressors, and buildings, all sitting there waiting to
be explored.  

While exploring the buildings, an air shaft was discovered about 100 yards north of the main
shaft.  Discussions were had as to which way to go down in to the mine.  It was finally decided
to enter through the air shaft.

A group photo was taken to help identify the bodies later, and down we went.

The ladders alternated back and forth down the shaft, until reaching the 125’ level.  Once there,
we found a winze continuing downward.  We sent Dave down the winze first with Ryan
following and myself third.  After going down about 100’ further, Dave found the winze
continuing down for several hundred feet.  We decided to save this for another trip.

Back on the 125, we headed south and came to the main shaft.  There we found intercoms, work
clothes, parts, and electronics.  Did I mention that this mine had a caretaker until several years
ago? And there was a plan in place to re-open the mine in 2007, but that didn’t happen.  South
of the main shaft the tunnel became impassable and showed signs of water damage.    

The main shaft was attempted by Dave, myself and Ryan.  Dave went down approximately 120
feet, I was down around 90’, and Ryan at 70’.  Again Dave found the ladders alternating back
and forth, going down into oblivion with no apparent levels.   We found out later that there
were several levels below us at 300’ and 600’.  Next trip. We then went up the main shaft,
returning to the surface.

At the surface, we ran into members of the Desert Dog Troglodytes. http://www.desertdogs.
org/index.php  They are into caving/mine exploring, and desert exploration.  They gave us a
brief history of the mine and let us know that until about a year ago, you could bring your own
can of diesel, fire up the generators, and run the mine, hoist and all.  I wish I could have been
there for that.  

It is sad to see what has happened to this site in such a short time.  Part of the vandalism is due
to people stealing the copper out of the generators, the other part is just pure destructiveness.  
It amazes me that people would travel that far out into the middle of nowhere to steal copper.  
But then again it makes me wonder if people say to themselves “Oh, we’re going to the desert,
make sure you pack the spray paint.”  Stupid huh.

This is why we guard our sites and don’t give out turn by turn directions to them.
February 2008
Impossible Mine
pictures
Links to web sites of those on this trip.  

California Mine Explorers - Dave “Dezrat”
http://mineexplorers.tripod.com/californiamineexplorers/

Ryan
http://www.socalfunplaces.com/asp/content_Desert.asp

Desert Dog Troglodytes
http://www.desertdogs.org/index.php

Please visit them and let the know what you think.
Pictures below