War Eagle Mine

We’ve visited this mine many times since first exploring it back in 2001. It is well-known and well-traveled, but so extensive that it is still fun to explore. The mine has miles of drifts and stopes across at least nine levels. It has a few hard to reach passageways and there are connections I still haven’t seen. You can easily spend all day underground and we have quite a few times.

The mine was worked and re-worked many times over its long history but was it was most productive from 1906 to 1928 and again from 1940 to 1957. Worked for lead, zinc, and silver, it was an important producer of lead during WWII.

These photos are from the early years.

War Eagle Mine

55 photos

Crib work at this intersection in the mine has been collasping for a long time. 2001.

Alysia standing behind a track intersection.

Getting ready for a ride in the ore car.

Alysia waits for someone to give her a ride in the ore car.

Ah, earlier days.... Joel, myself and Dan at the ore car. Back when the ore car was still on the tracks.

This is a dual rail inclined shaft that drops about 700' (vertical) in the mine, accessing 5 lower levels. This incline is on a 45 degree angle.

On a lower levels, there are track drawbridges that allow the cars on the incline to access the levels.

Halfway down the incline, a ruined car rests. It must have been quite a crash.

"Hey guys, look over here!" Some how Bill, Dan, Dave, Mike, (Joel is behind Mike), Brad and Todd behind him all avoided my camera.

Down on the another lower level, Joel, Bill and Mike wait for others to come down.

Mine explorers need to practice great care when exploring mines, lest accidents happen.

This track switch still works just fine.

Don't touch!

The "7th level crew" crosses over the top of a 200'+ winze (shaft). 2001.

Three Mine Car Junction on the 7th level. Drifts went over in three directions from here. Much to see.

Looking DOWN a long stope. The bottom is out of sight.

Wheels and bucket in the timbered glory hole room.

One of a couple of square set timbered rooms.

Bill tests his luck, while Dave captures the insanity. Bill is over a 20' vertical drop which rolls onto a steep stope of unknown depth.

Dave lights and films Sheila coming up a raise.

Three Ore Car Junction on the 7th level.

Dan waits at a ruined car.

Dan finds some wheels up on the 7th level.

We discover the 8th level (aka the Green level.) Although, it looks blue in this picture. 2002.

A blast door on the 8th level.

Dave and his trusty raise ladder.

"Hey Dan, can I come in?"

The ladder and door lead up from the 9th level.

9th level exit. It is very hidden.

"9th level crew": Myself, Dave, and Dan. (Also Sheila and Mike who are not in this photo.) 2002.

Ore bin on the front side of the mine.

Hiking to the backside portal.

Alysia at the backside portal.

This cribbed intersection gets worse each year.

A look down the long incline.

Rob checks the drawbridges on a lower level.

Ron exploring a big stope.

Rob and Ron coming out of a tight crib area.

Alysia coming through the cribbing.

Side dumping ore car. Rolls great. 2003.

Ore car down the tunnel.

Rob and Ron stop for a minute.

Ron climbs a raise to check it out.

Checking out another raise.

Shovels for mucking rock.

Ron leads a climb.

Up in the manway.

Ron down another stope.

We make another stop at Three Ore Car Junction.

Tag.

Square set timbers in a room. All held together by pressure.

Ron and Rob look down a raise.

Annual meeting of the Green Tacoma convention. Great minds think alike....

Jesse leads the scout team.

Team meeting discussing safety before going deeper.