Abandoned Mines?

[LauraA]

Does anyone know of a book or map showing the location of abandoned mines? We're looking for them in areas around Roosevelt Lake, Salome Wilderness, Sierra Anchas and Tonto Nat'l Forest. I've found very little information in my searches about some of the mines we've run across. (looking for history as well as figuring out what was being mined there) Also, can anyone tell me the exact location of Dupont Cabin? We've been to Greenback Valley several times but don't know which road leads to the cabin.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
LauraA
"Old Peep's Jeep"

[Wayco]

All "Patented" mines are shown on the USGS topo's. I have a copy of Terrain Mavigator that is a digitized version of the USGS Quads and they show all audits, prospects and down holes very accuratly.
I just looked at Greenback Valley with my search function in T.N. and no problem finding Dupont Cabin on the map. Sounds like you need a good mapping program that has the info you need, I can recommend Terrain Navigator, and National Geographic also has a similar product.
If you will send me your E-mail address, I may be able to send you the area of your interest. Can't say how it will look tho...

[xFallen]

Does anyone know of a book or map showing the location of abandoned mines? We're looking for them in areas around Roosevelt Lake, Salome Wilderness, Sierra Anchas and Tonto Nat'l Forest. I've found very little information in my searches about some of the mines we've run across. (looking for history as well as figuring out what was being mined there) Also, can anyone tell me the exact location of Dupont Cabin? We've been to Greenback Valley several times but don't know which road leads to the cabin.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
LauraA
"Old Peep's Jeep"

I use these sometimes.

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/mapdata/

http://www.mindat.org/

The USGS data come be freely downloaded in electronic format for processing if one is so inclined. I downloaded the AZ mine sites captured by USGS and converted them to GPX (an XML format) and plotted them. I might be able to dig that up if you can use it.


Barry

[LauraA]

Hey, you guys are great. Thanks so much for the response. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a bit of a computer/navigation dummy, but I get the gist.
My email is:
LPleas3333@aol.com

LauraA
"Old Peep's Jeep"

[CjCarl]

Topozone.com is another good bet for a mapping program, and it will have most mines that are of any interest listed. I know its really tempting to check out the old mines, beleive me ive done plenty of that. Seriously though, be careful if you go inside! Steer clear of any that have wooden support structures inside. Also, the ones with air blowing out of them are less likely to have poisonous air inside. Most of all, look out for people who own (or think they own) the mines. I got chased by a guy with a shovel near cleator, scariest thing ever!

[LauraA]

Topozone.com is another good bet for a mapping program, and it will have most mines that are of any interest listed. I know its really tempting to check out the old mines, beleive me ive done plenty of that. Seriously though, be careful if you go inside! Steer clear of any that have wooden support structures inside. Also, the ones with air blowing out of them are less likely to have poisonous air inside. Most of all, look out for people who own (or think they own) the mines. I got chased by a guy with a shovel near cleator, scariest thing ever!

Thanks for the words of caution Carl. Yep, guys with shovels would be scarey! :eek: This time of year, the scariest thing are the rattlers, the past three times we've driven A-Cross Road (FR60) there have been rattlers sunning themselves in the road Blechhhhhhhhh Actually, we're more curious to know some of the history connected with these old mines than actually risking life and limb to check out ones that appear threatening or unsafe. (the older we get, the more cautious we become) It's not easy to find much written about these places, but we're still trying. :) Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

LauraA
"Old Peep's Jeep"

[DREDnot]

Actually, we're more curious to know some of the history connected with these old mines. It's not easy to find much written about these places, but we're still trying. :) Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

You DO have all the books from the Map Store , dont you?
If not , that is the place to find books covering the history of the mines around here.
Start with History of Mining in Arizona vols. 1-3

[LauraA]

You DO have all the books from the Map Store , dont you?
If not , that is the place to find books covering the history of the mines around here.
Start with History of Mining in Arizona vols. 1-3

No, I don't, but I'll check into it right away. Thank you!

[rwhitbeck]

Another good way that I've found is to do a search for "Ghost Towns" on the internet...there is usually a lot of good info relating to old mining towns in and around Arizona.

[VIVIsectI]

Be conscious of the dates when reading information regarding ghost towns and mines in arizona. Several "ghost towns" and mines that I have gone to visit that were referenced on a web page or a book have been completely bulldozed or blown up by the time I got there.

[CrashDaMonkey]

There is a rest stop on the I-17 that has a fully illustrated map of the big main mines that were around arizona. Its the second rest stop outside of phoenix going north.

You probably know of those though

Just some input

[T.C.'S TOY]

Does anyone know of a book or map showing the location of abandoned mines? We're looking for them in areas around Roosevelt Lake, Salome Wilderness, Sierra Anchas and Tonto Nat'l Forest. I've found very little information in my searches about some of the mines we've run across. (looking for history as well as figuring out what was being mined there) Also, can anyone tell me the exact location of Dupont Cabin? We've been to Greenback Valley several times but don't know which road leads to the cabin.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
LauraA
"Old Peep's Jeep"

I could show you five or six mines up here in the high country but it would have to wait till the forest re-opens and thats not going to happen without rains,last summer we found one that you had to slide into on your back then opened up into a 1,500 square ft room with an uderground pool in it......Thom (T.C.'S TOY):)

[LauraA]

Thanks for the information. Since I last began this post I was able to get a great series of maps from the Arizona Department of Mines and Minerals. While they don't show the road names or numbers leading to the locations, it's quite easy to get the coordinates and go from there. I found out that Gila County has over 700 mines. The people at the ADMMR were very nice to deal with and their maps can be purchased through the mail using a form available online

http://www.admmr.state.az.us/

Also, the Ghost Town people have a good forum, not as active as this one, but quite informative.

http://forums.ghosttowns.com/index.php

[Cave Gimp]

Please please please use caution when going near mines. As a caver and an officer of the local affiliate of the NSS, I can't stress enough how dangrous mines can be. The history is very cool, but remember the mines are very unstable and constantly shifting. As a friend of mine says "Mines are a scare in the earth mother nature is trying to heal." You don't want to be near the mine when it heals. :(

If you want some tips PM me or e-mail me at tooleyg@cableaz.com.

[LauraA]

If you want some tips PM me or e-mail me at tooleyg@cableaz.com.

Thanks, email is on the way.

[LauraA]

I could show you five or six mines up here in the high country but it would have to wait till the forest re-opens and thats not going to happen without rains,last summer we found one that you had to slide into on your back then opened up into a 1,500 square ft room with an uderground pool in it......Thom (T.C.'S TOY):)

Yikes Thom :eek: I don't think I'd want to slither into a mine shaft not knowing what to expect on the other end. What kind of mine is it? So far, from what we've seen here, most mines are well guarded this time of year with rattlers and and bees who have set up housekeeping.
I hope our monsoons are productive this year, if not, I'm afraid there will be more closures in the Tonto Nat'l Forest, or even worse, more fires :(

[joedokes28]

All this talk about mines has got me excited. Any trips planned to go check some of them out?

[AzDiscovery]

I also stress Cave Gimps reply. WE (the off road community) do not need people getting killed in the caves. Cave-ins--both full or partial;gases;wildlife are just a few of the dangers. you may look like a jack-*** but use a helmet if you actually plan on going inside, doesnt take much of a rock to bust your mellon open if that doesnt kill maybe the drive out would, or lack of help. I must admit that caves can be fun though, with the right safety measures.

Good luck and be safe

[Digger]

I was dating a guy that lives on Greenback creek, I got to know the people that live back there. I also have a book I picked up years ago called Arizona place names. I enjoy exploring areas from the days of old. Found a lot of stuff and met some good folks. I just sat down for minute. I just got back from a 3 day camping trip, everything is dirty including my 4 dogs, work work. I have a room with books and maps of Arizona. I wouldn't mind researching or you researching your questions, but right now I have to clean up after camping. I'll pm my phone # to ya.

[ryangibson]

Hey, you guys are great. Thanks so much for the response. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a bit of a computer/navigation dummy, but I get the gist.
My email is:
LPleas3333@aol.com

LauraA
"Old Peep's Jeep"

Hey Laura,

If you're looking for the locations and some history about mining in Arizona I would recommend taking a trip to the Arizona Department of Mines and Minerals. The curator there is very helpful in pulling together information for you. This is where I found all of the information anout the old mining structure on my website.

Regards,
Ryan
http://www.arizonatrailways.com

[LauraA]

Since I first posted this back on 5/06, we've found several of the mines we were looking for and we've been able to research their history through our rapidly growing library of local books published on the subject. Yep, we know about the dangers of entering old mines and we do indeed try to exercise caution.
There is some historical significance related to some of them, for example, The Blue Bird Mine located above Roosevelt Lake in the Greenback Valley area was once owned by Maxie Anderson, the first person to fly a hot air balloon nonstop across the Atlantic. We had a hard time reaching the mine, but we were finally rewarded by finding some neat remains. The Forest Service has since "reclaimed" the mine, (that's government-speak for bulldoze that sucker) The mine adits are now closed, barred and foamed. They did leave in place the old assayers office, an ore conveyor and an ore bin, but that's about it. The road leading to the mine, which at one time was a challenge for us in our mostly stock jeep is now almost a superhighway, Sunday drive.
We've been in touch with the folks at the DMMR and they've been quite helpful in our research.
In my opinion, it's a shame that some of these sites are being lost by reclamation, it's a part of our history that we'll never get to see again.

Here's a small write-up with photos we put in our journal.


http://journals.aol.com/lpleas3333/AdensAdventures/entries/2006/11/18/bluebird-mine-success-at-last/469