“Slight Chance Quartz” Mine

Back in 2003, Alysia and I met up with my dad, Brad, William and friends to go hunt for a remote old mine out in the Mojave desert. There were several quartz veins here worked for gold as late as the 1950s. The mines aren’t deep but don’t seem to be played out either. I’d bet there is some gold still here. The area is inside of wilderness now and off-limits to mining. We had a great day out there.

"Slight Chance Quartz" Mine

21 photos

Brad and my dad discuss the desert.

We find a small prospect with what looks like an auto frame in the collasped portal.

A small dugout is nearby.

While we are getting ready for our trek, Alysia pesters William.

Setting up for our hike/ride to the old mine.

Hiking up the canyon.

We first sight the ruins of a cabin, probably from the 1950s when the mine was last active.

Brad and William find the remains of an old engine.

We come across another concrete cabin.

We find the remains of an ore bin and single rope tramway. There must have been a small scale mill works judging by the pulley wheels.

Closer view of the ore bin.

Winch probably used to run the tram to the mine.

View of the camp.

All sorts of equipment pieces here.

This is the largest engine/compressor we come across.

Another view of the engine.

This looks to be the remains of a tram tower.

View of the tramline down to camp.

And a view up to the mine itself. It is a bit of a hike.

One of the portals. They are mostly caved.

Almost looks like a piece of an auto.