![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2750_zpsi6rjdl9b.jpg)
This first mining in Icehouse Canyon happened back in 1892, so this mine probably dates back to that time period.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2751_zpsk0nhspvs.jpg)
Outside the lower portal there's a old cable, probably used to hoist a mine cart out.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2799_zpstqg62zkr.jpg)
The mine starts with an easy butt crawl into a 40 foot incline tunnel. Halfway through a side tunnel takes you into a larger cavity.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2758_zps1ylztf64.jpg)
From there the mine forks in three directions. The left is the main, the center goes in 20 feet, the right has been filled in (seen below)
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2766_zpsckptipkq.jpg)
This is the main fork. It terminates at a thirty foot shaft.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2783_zpstq2gdusu.jpg)
A few old hand hewn timbers are still bracing the ceiling
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2775_zpsmsdgwfp1.jpg)
Looking down a shaft at the end of the main tunnel. You can actually climb down it. At the bottom there's a short inlet to the left.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2776_zpswinrig1n.jpg)
Back on the outside there's a second mine, thirty feet above.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2801_zpsaknexyjp.jpg)
Inside the upper portal. There are a few good sized chunks of copper ore up there.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2805_zpsl99sjkmq.jpg)
Copper ore sample in the upper mine.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2807_zps4b7tzijt.jpg)
Icehouse Canyon is one of the best hikes near Baldy. From the saddle you can branch out in several different directions.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2745_zpsv1ogr8ur.jpg)
One of many cabins destroyed by the flood of 1938. There were originally 105 of them leased by the forest service for 99 years.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2728_zpscb2rgts7.jpg)
In the spring there's usually a lot of snow remaining in the canyon. It's named after an icehouse that was built back in 1869.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2826c_zpsupoiijin.jpg)
On the day I visited the mine I was lucky enough to see my second Skilton's Skink, though I only got a blurry photo of it.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2828b_zpspes5dq6a.jpg)
I took this back in 2016. I was resting on a log near the saddle when a mountain lion bolted out across a snowfield below me. Only the second one I've ever seen.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Mines/Icehouse%20Saddle/IMG_2826d_zpsoyu15txb.jpg)
During Prohibition Mt. Baldy was a much bigger resort, where you could drink freely and cops would leave you alone.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i411/albums/pp195/minefinder/Vintage/Mount%20Baldy/Photo%206_zpsyvaaun5c.jpg)
I just found a very difficult to reach mine down in Baldy Creek which I'll be posting on my website in the next month.
I don't want these mines to get trashed, so I won't give locations on this forum, but if you want to know where the mine above is just private message me.