| Soledad Mountain, Mojave, Ca Golden Queen Mines |
| Part One: In southeastern Kern County, there’s a small town with a large mountain on the south side. On this mountain, there are a lot of mines. A lot of mines is actually an understatement. The mountain appears to be honeycombed with tunnels and shafts. Being by myself on this trip, there was no dark time. This was more of a recon trip to see what was there and what I could get away with. Several of these sites look to be very promising. If I never get back to this area, all is not lost. The purpose of this is to document as well as explore. As you will see, a good portion of a 20 stamp mill was destroyed by fire. The fire seems to have been set by vandals because only a small part of the area around it was burnt. Fortunately, some very picturesque buildings still remain. Please enjoy these pictures. |
| On a sunny Saturday morning in early January, myself and my friend Tony and his son Jonathan, went off to explore some mines. We gathered up the necessary equipment and headed for the hill. Having been here back in November by myself, I was hoping to now explore the mines and areas that common sense told me not to explore by myself. The first mine we reached is the 600 Portal of the Golden Queen mine. While this was open back in November, it was now locked. I was somewhat disappointed at this because I had found some pictures and information about this mine. Those photos are included as well as photos from the 1930’s. I discovered that over 4000’ of tunnels were rehabilitated and over 2000’ of new tunnels were installed. Oh well, on to the next mine. The next two mines were at the head frame area to the east of the main Golden Queen mine. Here there is obviously the head frame, but additionally, there is an adit directly behind the head frame. In this area are several ore carts without the wheels. This area is really neat because the tracks come out of the adit, past the hoist house and head frame, and merge with the tracks from the head frame and out to the ore bin. There is also what appears to be an assay office. There is a blower, that would duct into the furnace, dating to 1909 just outside the office. We entered the adit and discovered a birdcage. Without analyzing droppings, I’d guess that it was for Canaries. There were hoses, pipes and ducting near the entrance. As we progressed deeper, approximately 350’, we came to a doorway. Beyond the doorway, was a hoisting room. It was different in that it had two hoists, a standard decline winze and a windlass. What wasn’t readily apparent was the floor. As we approached the collar of the decline and looked down, we could see back underneath us. Back underneath us, the entire floor of this hoisting room, was suspended/supported. Looking down the decline, you could see the next “level” below, but upon closer examination, you could see that it was suspended/supported also. What was going on was readily apparent. The vein that was being worked ran north/south and was at least 5’-10’ thick. In this mine it was north/south, in the next mine (Elephant mine), it appeared to be running east/west. If you look at the pictures in “Part One” you can see the way the veins are running. In picture #16 you can see it breaks the surface in numerous areas. In pictures #79 & #85, it shows the adit and the areas that the vein breaks the surface running parallel to the tunnel. This vein was 5’-10’ wide, but it was even taller. As we were leaving the hoisting room, Tony noticed a dim light from above. We shut off our lights and could see light coming from the outside. From the outside of the mine, you could look up the hill past the entrance and see where the vein had broken the surface in numerous places. If you look at the pictures from “Part One” you can see the way the veins are running. In picture #16 you can see it breaks the surface in numerous areas. In pictures #79 & #85, it shows the adit and the areas that the vein breaks the surface running parallel to the tunnel. The depths were unknown. The floor being what it was is reason enough to stay out of mines. You never know what you’re getting into. Did Luke listen to his dad? Did Timmy listen to Lassie? No and no. I tried. From here we went to the Elephant (CoCa) mine. Being much more careful, and again not listening to Lassie, we entered the mine. At the entrance, we found numerous sample bags dating to 1988. As stated, I believed this to be the Elephant mine, but upon further research, I think the name may have been changed. I found that CoCa actually listed a profit and loss on the NYSE and is located in Denver, Co. At the entrance, the tunnel T’d. The main tunnel continued west, the left went south and back southwest; the right went to a decline that was headed east. The decline was very crumbly. Going to the left first, we past the racks of sample bags, and came to a short winze and a stoped out area with an ore chute. This tunnel went into some areas that seem very unstable so we backtracked to the main tunnel. Following the main tunnel back approximately 200’, the tunnel T’d again. West dead ended about 30’ past the intersection. North dropped off into the abyss as did south after crossing the “bridge”. We approached this intersection much more carefully this time. Staying to the edges, we stayed on solid ground. As you look at the pictures in Part Two, you’ ll see the things we were confronted with. The southern tunnel floor/walkway/bridge was suspended from bolts in the sides of the tunnel. Again, you can see which way the veins were running. Also we turned the lights out, and were able to see daylight leaking in from above. All in all this was a good day. Everyone had fun and we all returned safe. The great thing about this web site is that we take the risks and bring you the pictures. As always, we have a person on the outside with the longitude, latitude and detailed descriptions of the locations. Explore safe. |