Flume Tunnel Traditional Cache

One of four caches I've placed along this trail. The total distance from trailhead to most distant cache is just over one mile. It took me about 20 minutes to walk back to the trailhead from the most distant cache. Cache is near the site of a 300' water tunnel cut through solid rock in 1875.

In 1875, as today, natural water flow in the mountain creeks was not consistent. The water level of Bear Lake, now called Baldwin Lake, often drops until it is just a wetland. It would be 30 years before the original rock dam that created Big Bear Lake would be built. The stamp mill that was under construction (see "1875 Stamp Mill" cache) needed large amounts of water to process ore from the Baldwin Mine and for the steam engine that would power the mill. The water they needed was to be transported from a source in Van Dusen Canyon via a 5 mile long wooden flume to the mill. The flume would run around the south side of Gold Mountain at an approximate elevation of 6900'.

While surveying the route, it was discovered that a 300' tunnel had to be cut through solid rock to maintain the proper "fall" of the water. The Chinese workman building the flume had to also dig out the 300' tunnel. To construct this tunnel as fast a possible, they did not just start digging at both ends. A shaft was sunk at the midway point so workers could start working out in both directions from the middle. At each end a ditch about 75' long had to be dug along with a 100' cut through rock.

The location of this tunnel was eventually forgotten though historians were aware of it's existence. Then, in 1990, Wilbur Roller discovered it while exploring an "old mine." The tunnel was opened and entered by members of the Big Bear Valley Historical Society, in 1991. Now however, it is almost completely filled with dirt again.

I have given all of these caches a Terrain Rating of "2.5". I believe this will be the average rating depending on your fitness level. Though all the caches are near a high-speed trail, there are ascents and descents. Take some water, remember that snakes live in the area and enjoy the hike.

To get there park on Pioneer near Greenway. There you will find an opening in the fence. Walk north about 100 yards and you will see an obvious (lots of footprints) trail running east-west. Just follow the trail west and you are on your way.

There are some other great caches you can access from here also!

West tunnel entrance:
N 34° 16.610'
W 116° 51.108'

Central shaft:
N 34° 16.601
W 116° 51.092

East tunnel entrance:
N 34° 16.588'
W 116° 51.069'

There is enough of an opening at the east entrance to look inside using a flashlight. You can also see traces of the ditches that were dug here and on the west side, a small boulder that was cut through. The cutouts on each end of the tunnel were orginally about 6' deeper than they are now.

PICTURES: About 75 feet north, against a granite outcrop, you will see a brush shelter or wikiup. (In the Eastern U.S. they are called wigwams.) This one, constructed of Ironwood limbs, is said to have been built in 1875 by Chinese workers that built the flume. They lived at the worksite and would build shelters along the route as work progressed. Originally larger, the combination of gravity and the drying out of the wood has caused these shelters to settle inward. You can find additional wikiups and rock shelters in the area too. These structures are fragile! Please respect them and leave them for others to enjoy.

The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, also called Black Diamond Rattlesnake, Mountain Rattler, Western Rattlesnake, is the most common rattlesnake in this area. While they can reach a length of 4.5 feet, 2.5 to 3.5 feet is common. They range in color, from gray, olive, to brown. Populations living at higher altitudes are often almost black with very faint markings. Juveniles have a bright yellow-green tail. Young are born live from August to October. Ready to go when born, they are about 10 inches long, have fangs, venom, but no rattle (pre-button). A button, as the segments of the rattles are called, is formed each time they shed their skin. It takes at least two buttons to rattle. If the rattle absorbs enough water in wet weather, it will not make noise. They can shed their skin several times in a year. Frequency of shedding depends on their food supply and particular growth rate. They also shed and replace their fangs about every 60 days.

It is a myth that rattlesnakes are deaf. They have the same basic inner ear structure as other reptiles. They lack an external ear. Sound, vibrations in the air or ground, are transmitted to the ear via other body structures. It is not known how the brain of the rattlesnake translates the vibrations received by the inner ear. Maybe it is similar to having your fingers in your ears.

An adult Southern Pacific Rattlesnake in a classic defensive pose. From this position a snake can strike out approximately one-third to one-half of it’s body length. While the strike is not as fast or accurate as generally believed, the strike is very swift. Too fast to be fully followed by the human eye. (click on photo to hear it's warning)	This photo of an 11" long juvenile was taken at Silverwood Lake. Note the yellow color at the tip of the tail and the absence of a rattle. You can see the "pre-button" at the tip of the tail. Juveniles are quicker to strike than adults and will usually inject all their venom when they strike.