-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Take a walk to, and through, a piece of Carbon River mining history.
An easy hike to an abandoned “lode” mine in the Carbon River mining district. The elevation of the mine is 3776 feet. This is most likely a seasonal geocache, as the snow will make it tough to gain access.
This geocache was put together with the help of my Jeepin', hikin', geobuddies: Garth, J.R. and Randy. Thanks guys!
The Clipper mine was known as a “lode” or “hard rock” mine, one of many in the immediate area. The primary mineral taken from the mine was copper, though Some small amounts of gold and silver were also found. Long abandoned, it is in remarkable shape for it’s age. As it is a lode mine, very few if any timbers were needed to support it’s structure, since it was blasted out of solid rock. I’ve been through the entire mine several times and can attest to this. Since there was no road at the time, packing light was the name of the game. Instead of using narrow gauge railroad tracks, the miners used what was readily available to them. Inside the mine you will see rough hewn 4x4s laid on the floor, with 1/8th inch steel straps on top. The straps being much lighter than steel tracks. These straps were about 1 ½” wide, and served the purpose well. There is a steady flow of water coming from the mine year round, with about an inch or two at the entrance. It slowly diminishes as you proceed into the mine. About 2/3 rds of the way in, there is a small amount of water coming through a seem near the top of the mine.
This mine doesn’t have any “winzes” or vertical shafts.
There are several “crosscuts” or “drifts”. A “crosscut”, in this case, is a horizontal branch of the tunnel that takes off from the main tunnel without following any vein of ore. A “drift” is the same as a “crosscut”, except it does follow a vein of ore. These “offshoots” only go for about ten to thirty feet and then deadend. There are four or five of these. The main tunnel goes back approx. 1150 feet, then it too, deadends. If you look carefully at the end, you can see a couple of unused blasting holes.
A good pair of leather boots is recommended, as well as, gloves and a hardhat. I am six feet tall, and I bumped my head several times walking through here. There are three or four places that are sub-six feet, and I found out the hard way that the mine doesn’t give when you bump your head! The nominal height is generally seven to ten feet, though.
It is also a good idea to have AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT LIGHT SOURCES, WITH EXTRA BATTERIES! More is better. This is a very dark place, and although this is a straight forward geocache, you will want to find your way out when you are finished.
O.K., how to get here.
Follow hiway 165 through the towns of Wilkeson, and Carbonado, toward Mt. Rainier National Park. Cross the Carbon river just shy of the park entrance. This is Forest Service rd. 7810. The 7810 rd. has recently been smoothed and is a good road with any street worthy vehicle. Follow this rd. for several miles until you reach the parking coordinates: N47º 01.255, W121º 50.905. There is room here for several cars. As you look across the road, you will see another old road with a large boulder blocking the entrance. This is the beginning of the short hike. You can drive beyond here, as we did, but you will need a capable 4x4, as there is a low stream crossing just ahead through some large boulders, and it isn’t really worth it, as the hike is so short. It’s your choice. Do so at your own risk. Follow this old road for about 1100 to 1200 feet to the coordinates of: N47º 01.205. W121º 51.174. The last part is pretty steep, but it is a short climb to the entrance, maybe fifty yards, or so. The coords to the mine entrance are: N47º 01.211', W121º 51.187'. If you brought a camera with a good flash, take a couple of pictures. We’d love to see them! You really can’t get lost in here. Just make sure you have good lighting, and have fun!
5-15-10 UPDATE
The old geocache was muggled, so I replaced the cache with another ammo box in a more muggle free location, OUTSIDE of the mine, though it is very close to the entrance.
One other note. I filled up my pack with garbage when I was here. Seems some of the locals have used this as a party place. If you so desire, please bring a trash bag and help in a C.I.T.O. Thanks.
I don’t know if I’d call this cache “kid friendly”, although we had my friends’ 11 year old son with us and he had a blast! Your mileage may vary.
This is a "geocache rich" area. Be sure to check out the other nearby caches.
As always, if you choose to search for this geocache, it is at your own risk!
Congratulations to Boonie-Medic for the FTF!!!!!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre ynetr ebggvat ybt, nccebk. gjragl srrg FJ bs gur genvy guebhtu gur zvar gnvyvatf urnqvat gbjneq gur ragenapr.