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A Wonder
We had plans
to venture into a new area for us on Sunday. That was until I remembered. We
were having lunch at Erv's place.
"You
know, I just remembered," I said to the Lady.
"Yes?"
She looked up from peanut butter and jelly.
"I
mentioned it to you earlier this week. The Park's website noted that Keane
Wonder Mine reopened for public visits on November 7th."
"That's
right! Let's go there tomorrow!" The Lady exclaimed.
We set up
for the night at a favorite spot near Hole in the Wall.
As I climbed
to a high point for photos, I happened upon a little critter.
A beautiful
one button Mojave Desert Sidewinder. This intriguing
rattlesnake subspecies hunt from ambush, staying completely still. This little
tyke did a commendable job and never moved.
When staying
along Hole In The Wall Road, we always take a sunset walk up on the bajada to
the north of the gully. Here you can find one of the finest displays of desert pavement.
Hike east
toward the Hole In The Wall and you will find a use trail that takes you back
down into the wash.
Bighorn
sheep are a common sight here.
We slept well. Silence surrounded us. Desert tales coursed through our dreams
until dawn.
The Keane Wonder Mine was truly a
wonder in the Death Valley area. A wonder because it actually produced a good
deal of riches. We last visited in
April 2007, prior to the closure for safety and stability concerns. We were
anxious to return.
Most people
visit the massive mill site at the base of the mountains and look up at the
aerial tramway working its way up to the mine.
A steep
miner's trail climbs up to the top of the tram and the bottom adit for the
mine.
The top of
the tram and the bin for filling the buckets are amazing to decipher the
engineering. It reminded us of the top of a ski lift.
The
construction to stabilize these structures was very well done; unobtrusive, and
obviously working hand in hand with the archeology staff.
Arrested
decay.
We climbed higher to the top of the Keane Wonder Mine. Many safety barriers that
allow for passage of bats have been installed.
The quartz
ledge is wide and slopes into the entire mountain side.
Across the
canyon it dips down into the mountain. Several small prospects are evident to
test out its gold content. This side was not developed.
We continued
up to the main mine entrance.
Since the
gold bearing quartz ledge is horizontal through the mountain, the mine is
pillar and post.
This
mountain has been hollowed out.
Further east
are more adits and drifts into the hollow mountain.
We worked
our way back down to the tram - straight down from the Lady in the following
photo.
One auxiliary
cable drum fascinated us.
It was
powered by a one piston engine run by either steam or compressed air.
The braking system
was most interesting as it used sections of two by four pine for brake shoes.
From our
perspective, the National Park Service did a excellent job with Keane Wonder
and should be commended. It is great to see the site open to the public again.
It was time
for us to return home. This trip was coming to an end. But, we had time to go
in search of one more special place on our "list."
Our
adventure continues in Part Four - Please Click Here
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