So, I was very wrong on my last post about South Mine. The mine we found at that time was called "The Lost Mine" and as far as we know currently, it is the only mine in that area. We did out homework this time and found the really Delta Max mining town. It took us two trips to explore all of the mines.
There was even a little town that used to be in South Mountain. It's mostly just foundation at this point with two different fireplaces still standing. I have no idea why the fireplaces are always left standing when the rest of the building is gone....
This mine is off of the central ave exit on the north side of South Mountain. To get to them you want to park in the last parking lot before you start to climb uphill and then head into the mountain. The mines are easy to see from the road. I'm really surprised we never noticed them when going up to the point.
Most of the mines, like everywhere else we have explored, are filled in. Quite a few of these mines didn't even go that far and stopped after several hundred feet. We did find a couple that went deep, though. My favorite went a good 300 yards into the side of the mountain and then dropped down vertically with a wimpy little ladder rope. It was a tight squeeze to enter the mine, but it opened up once we got inside.
The second deep one we found went straight into the mountain and didn't stop. It was on the opposite side of the road and went for a few hundred feet.
And of course when I was put in charge of the camera, I took a ton of nature pics. Gotta love the desert in spring
We could spend days trailblazing through South Mountain and probably come across many more mines. Who knew something like this was so close to home! Definitely a must see.
More pics:
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| "I know, lets fill in this mine with cactus needles, that'll keep people out" |
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