Monte Cristo Washington - Exploring a Historic 130 Year old Abandoned Gold Mine
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- Come along with us as we take you on a abandoned mine exploration adventure going underground in the historic mining district of Monte Cristo Snohomish County Washington State. The Monte Cristo mines are some of the oldest mines in Washington State. This over 130 year old historic gold and siler mine dates to the 1890's and is one of the oldest mines in the district.
Monte Cristo was the first live mining camp on the west slopes of the Cascade Range. There were 13 mines and 40 claims by 1891. By 1893 there were 211 mining claims.
This historic abandoned mine of the Monte Cristo mining district was staked in August of 1889, and recorded with the county auditor on September 25, 1889, this mine intersected the same vein as the famous Mystery Mines.
In 1890 many miners hiked to Monte Cristo from the south by way of Index, Galena, and Mineral City, crossing the divide at first via Willman's Pass and later via Poodle Dog Pass. In the fall of 1891, a narrow wagon road called the Willman's or Pioneer Trail was completed from Sauk City on the Skagit River to Monte Cristo, allowing access from the north.
THE MAJORITY OF THE MINE NAMES ARE CHANGED OR ALTERED IN OUR VIDEOS TO PROTECT HISTORIC ARTIFACTS AND PREVENT THE SITE FROM BECOMING A NUISANCE SITE. IN SOME CASES WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED PRIVATE PROPERTY PERMISSION AND WE HAVE BEEN ASKED NOT TO DISCLOSE LOCATIONS.
Many ghost towns, mines and other forgotten historic sites in Washington State have already disappeared from history and many more are being lost each year to the ravages of time, wildfire, vandalism, and intentional closure. In addition to our many years of photographic documentation of these important historic sites we are now attempting to video document as many sites as we can so there is a lasting record of these places for future generations.
We hope you enjoy what we do and will join us on our adventures through a bygone era of Washingtons rich history. Not only do we love the history we explore and document, but we truly enjoy sharing these sites and experiences with our followers and viewers.
We appreciate you and thank you for Watching!!
#exploringabandonedmines #abandonedmine #mineexploring #abandoned #mining #ghosttown #exploring #history #adit #shaft #underground #minerals #silvermine #goldmine #urbex
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WARNING
Abandoned mines and ruined structures have many hazards and can severely injure or even kill you. Do not attempt to copy or re-enact situations or scenarios seen in this video.
Thanks for mentioning Phil's name Tim. and showing the books.
Daryl, we were happy to do it.
We appreciate you taking us along, we have enjoyed your video. ⛏⚒⛏ Season's greeting to you and yours 🎄🍹
Thank you!! We appreciate you watching. Happy holidays to you as well.
I have watched hundreds of videos on mine exploring and mining, I have to admit this has got to be the first time I have ever seen a wooden air line. Obviously they must not have had financial backing on this mine. Should have named it the poor guy mine... If you or your fans have not been to mount baker mining and metals page y'all should check them out. Jason the owner just reopened a gold mine here in the Cascade mountain range. He has great videos...
Thanks for the comments. We will check out the channel.
Good explore. I don't know if it is possible after all these years, but when looking at Mystery hill out of the portal, the trees look thinner in pretty much a straight line where the tram may have crossed Mystery hill.
I wonder if that could be the tram route?? Could it still be visible after all this time? I think its possible. I have been in that mine and never noticed that.
I am glad you mentioned Phil and his book too. I talked to him for years about anything Monte Christ and the surrounding area. He was definitely knowledgable about the history of the area, a very nice guy, and should be remembered.
Even though many still hike in there, Monte Cristo itself seems to be fading away. Its definitely much different now than it was when I first started going there.
Thanks for the comments. Send us an email ghost.wa@comcast.net and we can give you a better idea of what you're asking about the tramway than we can explain here.
Love watching this cause you'd never get me in there! I've always wondered what it was they were looking for in the rock as they went, that would tell them they were on the path to a seam or that it was time to quit... also it seems the mines were so narrow that with an ore cart going by, there wasnt much room for the miners! Thanks for the video!
Appreciate your comments. Glad we could show you what it looks like. Thanks for watching!
Nice little mine, amazing location, especially at that time of year :)
Thank you!! Yes, it is an amazing area that time of year.
My neck of the woods👍
Great neck of woods to explore!!
This was such an interesting video. How do you guys safeguard any shifting or collapse when you go so far back into an abandoned mine?
Great question. First, you don't touch anything shoring, etc, while minimizing aggressive movements that can create vibration etc. Second, you have to assess and make judgment calls as you go. Lots of observing your surroundings and the conditions of the material the mine was driven in.. You can not fully safeguard, but you can minimize the risk. There is, without a doubt, a certain amount of risk assumed. Outside of that, we generally know the layout of the mine via research and use atmospheric sensors and PPE.
Really good video.
Thank you very much.
cool
Thanks. Appreciate you watching!!
Ive been fascinated by these old time mining prospects. Did you find any crystals, gems, or anything of the sort down there, or was it just like a rustic time capsule, because I've always wanted to find a good place to rockhound.
Occasionally we find crystals.
Really cool enjoyed watching thanks
Appreciate that. Thank you for watching.
So much mineralization. Very cool
Thanks!
The collapse at the beginning was actually a second adit to the mine, I could be wrong but I think I remember you could see light through it if you turned off you flashlights.
You are correct.
So amazing. Definitely going to check the Woodhouse book out for more information about the area. I went up to that general area in 2023 and appreciate the video and information for the mines that I hear about but would not venture to explore personally! Basic question about what I saw on the video, near the chutes, what is the material that is on the floor that appears whitish blue color in the light?
We believe it may be talc as there are talc deposits. Thanks again for your comments and watching!!
I'm thinking about heading up this weekend but don't know how the snow conditions are in the Mountain Loops. Stephens was good last weekend and I was able to get into the mines along Silver Creek but haven't done the Loop yet this year.
Apparently the snow is not too bad as you get out in that vicinity. But I'm sure you'll still encounter some.
Know this area well...
👍
So at the time these mines were used, how were the adits and shafts prepared? Pick and shovel? Or was drilling and explosives used?:
Depending on the mine and time period all of the above. Explosives and pneumatic air or steam driven drills were used alongside explosives for the majority of these mines. Some handwork tools were used.
I've been to the adit, and followed the fallen tram cable across the valley and up onto mystery hill, at times unwisely putting my weight on the fallen cable. Youth. I wasn't brave enough to enter the mine which had a lot of tumbledown structure in front of it, this may have been the 2nd adit that is now apparently collapsed that you filmed from the inside. In any case I should get my tail end back in shape and revisit. Highly recommend the woodhouse book.
Thanks for sharing that. Phil was a knowledgeable and good guy. Hope you get back up there!
Where can I access the woodhouse book? I’ve been looking for ages.
@@hyrumlacher4022 google - several booksellers with used copies. monte cristo by philip r woodhouse
Wow are bad ass did mont baker north gold
Thanks for the comments.
Always wanted to get in a mine to see if you could find any gold/silver etc, gramps has a metal detector so itd be 👌
Thanks!
First like!
Thanks!!
Wow a wooden air pipe? What these guys went through to get the ore out must have been harsh to say the least
We often think that some pretty harsh places and conditions.
carbon river has a few on both sides of river
Lots of great mines in that area!!
The old timers were some tough hombres for humping all that material up to the mine 130 years ago. Back when men were men and worked hard and cherished their honor. Before bums made a living with crime and begging and were supported by "progressive" local governments. Don't get me started!
Thanks for the comments!
The mine there isn't no big secret and most know of it's location just follow the dumps up, I don't know why you think anyone is going to hike all the way up to the mine and do something illicit! Then again this is a messed up state anymore.
Well, it has and does happen. There have been several more recent incidents. One incident is being investigated by the NFS as a very historic structure was significantly damaged.
Sad that it’s historic and you should be able to visit it but people hide the locations. I get it some will disrespect it but hiding it it might as well just be gone if no one can go and explore the history.
@willanderson5088 We just don't share location specifics. All of these sites can be found in the public records and documents. Some locations are private property permissions.