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Did you know that Death Valley has more abandoned mines than any other national park? Thousands of abandoned mines are scattered across the park’s 5,200+ square miles.  It’s not surprising when you consider that gold, silver, lead, zinc, antimony, flourspar, cinnabar, Epsom salts, mercury, tungsten, copper, borax, talc, sodium chloride, and manganese all have been mined here over the years. Most mines are closed to the public and in need of safety improvements, but the Eureka Mine has been stabilized, making it easy to follow in the path of the early gold prospectors. Take two flashlights when you enter the tunnels, one for use and one for backup.

Old-time gold prospectors got started the same way— they looked for veins of quartz or seams of red or yellow iron-stained rock. Miners followed these veins, drilling and blasting to break the ore loose, they then sent the ore to mills to extract the gold. A profitable mine would yield about an ounce of gold per ton of ore. Too bad the old-timers didn't have the modern-day gold prospecting equipment and technology we enjoy today!

Of all the prospectors and miners who toiled here, only one— Pete Aguereberry— persisted. Born in France in 1874, at an early age he read about the wonderful gold discoveries in California and couldn’t wait to become a prospector. He realized his dream at age 16 when he set sail for America and made his way to California. Beginning in 1907, Pete worked his claim for 40 years, mostly by himself. Historians estimate that he extracted about $175,000 worth of gold (then valued at $20 per ounce) during his lifetime (he died in 1945). Aguereberry camp still stands in a state of decay, so stop and take a look around when you explore the Eureka Mine. Pete’s original two-room house, including an antique gas stove and refrigerator, are still in their places. Outbuildings and two other “guest” cabins are next to it.

Not far from the Eureka Mine is Mr. Aguereberry’s Cashier Mill (shown in photo). Powered by gasoline engines, the mill pulverized the ore, then chemical processes using mercury and cyanide extracted the gold. To reach this area in Death Valley National Park, take Hwy. 190 past Stovepipe Wells and up Emigrant Campground. Turn left following the signs to Wildrose. In about 10 miles there will be a turn off for Aguereberry Point. Turn here and you’ll arrive at Aguereberry camp a mile down the road. Eureka Mine is within walking distance; Cashier Mill is a short drive. The park’s interpretive signs and maps point the way. The Eureka Mine is closed by a bat gate in the winter due to hibernating Townsend's long eared bats. The mine reopens again in spring.

Touring mines and ghost towns is a great way for families to have fun and connect to America's mining history!  Travel safe!

Story by GoldRushTradingPost.com

 Yes we did a good job with emails stopping the bill in OR.

 Now we need your help here in CA changeing some new rules in the dredge reg. Please go to the CDFG web site and read these. Put your thoughts in an email to them and help us change these.

 Just remember we as a state suck. But we have to stand together or some of these regs may come your way!!

Thank you

 Dan

 All the prospectors I know have a bottle of lead . Last sunday in  the top of sluice box I recovered a few shining silver nuggets, while panning the cons the silver nuggets grew and the gold flakes disapeared soon a nice little bb of liquid silver was rolling around in the pan "MERCURY" recovered from the creek not left in the creek to destroy fish .         So why can't we dredge WE RECOVER THE LEAD AND MERCURY !!!  guess the studys are for the mercury left and take no account of what we rcover         JUST PROVING AGAIN

                                                                      NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED !!!

Could any one tell me if a Garrett Ace250 is a good starter metal detector. I am getting ready to invest in one. Thanks for the help

       Okey

How much gold in those rocks??? Could be only 1-5 ounces and maybe only 16-18 cr. purity.

Folks,

I really hope that you care enough about our rights to contact your congressman about this HUGE land grab which would further limit our access to OUR federal lands.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/12/15/the_dems_lame-duck_land_grab_108248.html

I have contacted mine and hope you will do the same.

Merry Christmas

faaus

There are different regions of Alaska. Where we are is considered the Interior of Alaska. Near the Canadian Border.

The term "Bush" of Alaska is referring to very remote location. No McDonalds, sometimes no roads, sometimes no one but you, nothing but wild animals and God. If someone from Alaska is telling you that you are going to the bush of Alaska you need to make sure you are ready to be in the bush of Alaska. If they tell you that you are going where you might get stranded without help in the event you are hurt you should consider your health and make sure you have everything you need cause they probably know what they are talking about. Ask questions before you go because you may find out when you get there, you really didnt want to be that remote.

There are places you can go that you will find it difficult to even take a step. Tundra tuffets. Miserable to walk on no matter how fit you are.

In the summer months it really stays daylight for a long time. So if you are dredging and someone says you will be dredging till the sun goes down you might ask questions.

Well, that is enough for now.....just blogging cause I cant sleep.

If you have questions about Alaska, Im not a expert but I will be honest with you and tell you what I know to be true in my circumstance here in this beautiful State of Alaska. The Land of the Midnight Sun...

Sharon Eddy

I came here in 1997. I was not looking for gold. I never really understood/or was curious about raw gold til several years later. Late 2001 I tried to make it over to the Sixtymile River just 6 miles from the Canadian Border in Alaska. It was hard rugged trip which we canceled due to the terrain but, chartered a small plan to fly over our trapping cabin on the Sixtymile to see what we had traded for. Needle in a haystack but with GPS cordinates walla, there she was. Fully intact and with a food cashe too. That was as close to the Sixtymile as we ever got.

Today our adventure takes us to the wild and scenic river of the 40 Mile Mining District of Alaska.

Most who come to this area call it "Chicken, Alaska", well not me. I believe if you are a half a mile from a place you have left that area? What do you think? If I am in Chicken, then it should be called Chicken as my current location. If I leave Chicken then I am no longer in Chicken.Right or Wrong? Chicken Alaska has been made much more than it really is. It used to be a place where miners could go and get some of their supplies, meet other miners and even come in from the hills to see family and friends. Now it is a place to go be mined. Mining the miners, the public, the tourist. Miners are hardly welcome there as just miners. I'm sure you have been to places like this? Anyway if someone is telling you of mining in Chicken.....because of reasons mentioned above you should ask to clarify the location.

Thanks God for freedom of speech.

thought i would post this link if anyone wants to view n enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo_EJpUlOwk

ken aka mnt man

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b205/DanfromNY/?action=view&current=100_0085.mp4

NOW THIS IMPRESS ME