Field notes from exploring backcountry locations of the Western United States

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Death Valley

Columbia Mine

These are various photos from our trips over the years to the Columbia mine out in the Mojave Desert. Part of the War Eagle complex of mines, it is well-traveled.

Much of the remaining mining equipment has been stolen since my photos were taken. A May 25th, 2012, article in The Pahrump Valley Times entitled “Stealing History” reported on it.

My photos below are old. The mine is posted private property now.

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Tramway Mine

Tramway Mine

This gold mine lives up to its name. The inclined wooden tramway is the most interesting thing here and makes this old mine worth visiting. Don't be confused though, it is not an aerial tramway, but a railed inclined tram used to lower ore down from the mine to the

Tungstar Mine Tram

Tungstar Mine Tram

This very adventurous hike follows an old mining trail which led to the Tungstar Mine, a 1940s tungsten mine high on the western slope of Mt. Tom, the prominent 13,658-foot peak just west of Bishop. The trail was used in the early days of the mine to build a

Sagamore Mine Camp

Sagamore Mine Camp

The Sagamore mine, also known as the New York mine, was a silver, lead, copper, zinc, and gold mine. It was first discovered in the 1870s by Mormons who found rich silver veins in the foothills of the New York Mountains. It is one of the oldest mines in the