Mining Operations / Castle Canyon and other places

shreddy · Post by **shreddy** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:54 pm

Hey Folks,

With no job assignment today I took a scramble -

Lake
Echo
Castle Canyon
Mt Lowe Trail Camp
Middle Sam M. Trail
Lake

On the trail up to Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon I noticed yet another mining hole. I've seen a handful of these things in the front range. Were these done to test for the viability of mining? What would one officially call these things/ mini-caves?

By the way.... a very nice morning up there. Snow in Castle Canyon and parts above. Lots of springs poppin' up. Too much litter

I'll post some pics later. Happy Trails

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:16 pm

shreddy wrote: ↑On the trail up to Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon I noticed yet another mining hole. I've seen a handful of these things in the front range. Were these done to test for the viability of mining? What would one officially call these things/ mini-caves?

I think they're usually called "prospects" on the USGS maps, something mining related, but not a full scale mine. They were just prospecting to see if there were something worth mining. In the case of the one you're referring to, evidently not.

HJ

shreddy · Post by **shreddy** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:23 pm

Thanks HJ. There was a very nice seasonal spring/ waterfall by the one I saw today. The one I saw today was no more than maybe 3-4 ft deep.

Post by **HikeUp** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:27 pm

Was it this one...

shreddy · Post by **shreddy** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:57 pm

HikeUp wrote: ↑Was it this one...

I think that's the one. There was a very cool seasonal spring/waterfall to the lower right of that where the trail crosses a small ravine.

Post by **HikeUp** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:22 pm

That sounds about right. The one in the pic is only 5 or 10 feet deep if that. Not sure what they would be prospecting for if they gave up after a few feet!

shreddy · Post by **shreddy** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:30 pm

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid= ... 4a6633089f

MattCav · Post by **MattCav** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:53 pm

that is a muy bueno hike to do at this time of year. how slippery was castle? it can be tricky down there when snow/ice fall.
and that little cave is pretty cool. we climbed up there once upon a time and just chilled for a bit. tricky to get to, but a nice resting place. glad you got to experience that hike.

shreddy · Post by **shreddy** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:04 pm

"how slippery was castle?"

Castle wasn't slippery. Middle Sam Merrill as a bit icy in some areas though. Very nice hike!

robnokshus · Post by **robnokshus** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:49 pm

What was the condition of the Mt Lowe trail camp? Is that trail officially open now?

shreddy · Post by **shreddy** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:00 pm

robnokshus wrote: ↑What was the condition of the Mt Lowe trail camp? Is that trail officially open now?

From Inspiration Point to Mt Lowe Trail Camp the trail was officially closed, but I only noticed that sign on the way back **wink wink**. The road from IP to Lowe camp was fine. Mt Lowe Trail Camp was in good shape. It looks like the Station Fire didn't hit that immediate area.