We returned to the Gunsight Mine for further exploration..... These walls zigzagged up the hillside where there was a well-worn path made by the mules carrying the ore down. In later days a tramway was built, as evidenced by the diagonal line and the tramhouse lower down.
We are only part way up and the view goes on "forever".
We are only part way up and the view goes on "forever".
Track still remains in the Noonday mine where ore cars hauled the lead/silver ore........
out first to the bunkers.......
then around to and across the trestle.......
and through the neighboring mountain where there were also mines. Ore taken out the other side was transported on the gravity-operated cableway that we saw last weekend. What a labor intensive effort this was. In the early 1900s the ore was then moved 6-1/2 miles by railroad to the mill.
out first to the bunkers.......
then around to and across the trestle.......
and through the neighboring mountain where there were also mines. Ore taken out the other side was transported on the gravity-operated cableway that we saw last weekend. What a labor intensive effort this was. In the early 1900s the ore was then moved 6-1/2 miles by railroad to the mill.
There are wonderful 360-views from here atop Mt. Schader. While the desert is known for windy conditions, the rocks holding down the antennae and solar equipment attest to the seriousness of the wind at this elevation. We had a lovely light breeze to enjoy the views around.
The Johnnie mine, viewed from Mt. Schader, was named for Shoshone Indian "Ash Meadows Johnnie" and opened in 1890 with the advent of the gold rush into the area. The mine opened and closed intermittently for various reasons. In 1942, after producing $! million in gold, it was closed as unnecessary industry to the war effort. Now privately owned there may be some renewed interest on a smaller scale.
