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July 2, 2023
7/2/23 - More Mines (Clear Creek and York Gulch)
So, today, I went for another motorcycle ride. I found so many mines I lost count. But, I'll try to document my ride so I can keep track of where the mines are.
So, I started out inspecting a mine that I found the other day on U.S. Hwy 6 at Mile Marker 258.50. So, I was able to gain access to the gated entrance to the mine, but it was locked up fairly well. So, I decided to move on and look for other mines.
Down U.S. Highwy 6 to Hwy 119, then north on Hwy 119 towards Black Hawk. At the Black Hawk City Limits, I found a new mine on the west side of the creek (North Clear Creek). I was not able to gain access to this mine, although I could see it. The mine has a cement face on it. It is approximately 60' above the creek. The trick is you've got to be able to cross the creek to get to it. And we've gotten a lot of rain lately. Also, there's a big drop from Hwy 119 down to the creek. I was able to ride my motorcycle down a trail to get to the creek, but once you're at the creek level, you can't see the mine at all anymore. So, I think you'd need to plan your ascent on the other side of the creek before you dropped down to creek level and waded across (if possible).
So, no pics of this mine, as I wasn't able to access it. Then, I continued up 119 to Black Hawk, then up to Central City, then I followed the signs to Columbine Campgrounds. Just before the Columbine Campgrounds, I turned left onto Forest Service Road 739.1 and took that up to Pisgah Lake Road. Then left on Pisgah Lake Road, which immediately turns into Clear Creek County Road 277 (York Gulch Road).
I didn't see any mines once I got into Black Hawk/Central City/Columbine Campgrounds, Forest Service Road 739.1. Once I got to York Gulch, the number of open mines was just like a bad Lassie episode. Open mines every 50 yards or so.
Posted by Rob Kiser on July 2, 2023 at 9:38 PM
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