The Andrew Curtis Tungsten Mine

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:29 am

jeko1034 wrote: I’m down to go back! It was definitely a memorable trip but it’s also super gnarly of a hike up that wash. No trail and just boulder hopping for miles while completely exposed. @charlescurtis1984 wanna join us?

March 2009, there was an excellent road all the way up the canyon to the mine! I turned around about 1/2 mile below the mine because I didn't want to bother the people that were there (they passed me in a blue pickup while I was walking down the road from Cow Cyn Saddle).

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Post by **Uncle Rico** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:29 am

Whew! For a moment there, I thought maybe I'd breached some protocol on forum decorum.

David R · Post by **David R** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:33 am

I think a video of me next to the highest grade tungsten in the world would really trend well on Only Fans.

Brianc · Post by **Brianc** » Tue Jun 11, 2024 6:23 pm

This area has always intrigued me . I have not been up there for 12 years. The under video camera surveillance sign off of cattle canyon trail has been there forever, before wifi. B.S. if one thinks a cable was run all the way up to Glendora ridge road for camera. What about the mysterious "property owners" of Thompson ranch or Widman ranch. They would be like 100 years old. Maybe if anyone was up there they are just squatters growing. I wonder how come the owner of Tungsten mine lets the vehicles on property rot and not sell them. People who own places like these, have money and it is clearly documented. My theory is its the haunted house story. "Don't go there, the boggie man will get you".

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Tue Jun 11, 2024 6:54 pm

Brianc wrote: Tue Jun 11, 2024 6:23 pm This area has always intrigued me . I have not been up there for 12 years. The under video camera surveillance sign off of cattle canyon trail has been there forever, before wifi. B.S. if one thinks a cable was run all the way up to Glendora ridge road for camera. What about the mysterious "property owners" of Thompson ranch or Widman ranch. They would be like 100 years old. Maybe if anyone was up there they are just squatters growing. I wonder how come the owner of Tungsten mine lets the vehicles on property rot and not sell them. People who own places like these, have money and it is clearly documented. My theory is its the haunted house story. "Don't go there, the boggie man will get you".

Not quite sure but you can just walk through there and avoid all private property if you're paranoid, android.

Brianc · Post by **Brianc** » Tue Jun 11, 2024 7:20 pm

It's been over 4 years that you reported on this area. I have never been able to find proof of ownership of these ranches.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Tue Jun 11, 2024 7:34 pm

Brianc wrote: Tue Jun 11, 2024 7:20 pm It's been over 4 years that you reported on this area. I have never been able to find proof of ownership of these ranches.

Use this: https://app.regrid.com/us?utm_campaign= ... t=property

also the LA County assessor map will have that info: https://maps.assessor.lacounty.gov/m/

Ze Hiker · Post by **Ze Hiker** » Sun Jun 30, 2024 6:04 am

I love these threads with people bringing their unique historical experiences!

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Sun Jun 30, 2024 9:48 am

Ze Hiker wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 6:04 am I love these threads with people bringing their unique historical experiences!

It's the whole reason why we keep exploring!

Sewellymon · Post by **Sewellymon** » Sun Jun 30, 2024 6:40 pm

I used to hike and camp above Widman Ranch in Coldwater Canyon all the time in the late 70's.

On this thread a few years ago, the mine owner Charles Curtis chimned in. I actually called him soon after just to get a sense for what is going on.
I do not think he will be starting operations back up again? Lots of FS roadblocks, etc.

rdwieting · Post by **rdwieting** » Wed Oct 09, 2024 7:26 pm

Fascinating for sure. My BIL has stories about weekends during his teen years in the '60s working at his "dad's gold mine" up Jail Canyon in the Panamints.

Kkelsey · Post by **Kkelsey** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:05 am

Hello! Thank you for posting this, this was my grandfathers mine. He died a few years ago and the mine claim was never renewed by my uncle whom he left the claim to. The road regularly was washed out by floods and he would repave them. The ranch you trespass to get to the road used to be his as well. All the roads past the gate were made by my grandfather. The entire road to the mine was made by him. The ranch used to be our families RV park called RV Baldy, you may be able to find info on it as well. Reach out to my email; kelseykeagan@gmail.com if you have any more questions!
Cheers!

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:21 pm

Kkelsey wrote: Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:05 am Hello! Thank you for posting this, this was my grandfathers mine. He died a few years ago and the mine claim was never renewed by my uncle whom he left the claim to. The road regularly was washed out by floods and he would repave them. The ranch you trespass to get to the road used to be his as well. All the roads past the gate were made by my grandfather. The entire road to the mine was made by him. The ranch used to be our families RV park called RV Baldy, you may be able to find info on it as well. Reach out to my email; kelseykeagan@gmail.com if you have any more questions!
Cheers!

Thank you so so much for the information! I will be sure to reach out to you eventually