So about 4 hours north of Las Vegas is the historic mining town of Tonopah. I had seen a couple of claims for sale and decided to take a drive up to look around.

This mine was listed as Mule Flats. I don't know what mineral the miners were looking for although the area is primarily known for silver with some gold as well.

We rolled up on the mine. Although the mine was described as "extensive" there were very few tailings (tip).




With absolutely nothing to use for an anchor, my truck was the only choice.




The collar is in pretty good condition with lining down for the first 5 meters. Beyond that it's just rock.



We padded the edge and I headed down.




I unhooked from the rope when I got to the bottom. That was before I noticed I wasn't alone down there. Yeah...snakes.



Looking down....more snakes.



There was one on top of the old refrigerator acting as a welcoming committee. Ahhhhh. Notice that the rope was JUST long enough for me to reach the bottom.




Without a doubt, it was the shortest time I've ever spent in a mine! The whole way up I was searching to see if there were any snakes sitting on a ledge or in a crevice. I was sooo happy to be out of there.




Here's a link if you want to see the full size pictures.

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/Mines/Mule-Flats-Silver-Mine_21096/ 

Joanne

Wow! It might not be much of a mine, but that's the best trip report I've ever read! :lol:
Have to say I feel a bit sorry for those poor snakes though. Starving to death down there and when food arrives it just takes some photos and heads back out.;(

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I'm surprised you stayed there long enough to take photos :lol:

A real life Indiana Jones scene. I guess around there snakes are a typical mine exploration hazard? ;(

No more gripes when finding dead sheep in N.Wales mines...OK!

The snakes do appear to be stuck down there with no way out. What I don't understand is why there are so many of them.

Actually this is the only time I've come across snakes in a mine. I've heard others who have found them just inside the adit, but I've not come across them. We did kick one up out in the ghost town that supported the mine, but no others in the mine itself.

Joanne

Poor snakes, its my guess that they went in/fell to avoid the blistering daytime heat, they'll eat each other and end up as one FAT snake!!

We've found serpents at the bottom of a shaft on Mendip, baby adders, as thick as you little finger and about 8-10 inches long, with enough venom to give you a bad day!

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we've found worms 80' below the surface in the dig recently. does that count?

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I didn't realize that there are poisonous in England. Are they common?

Joanne

we've found worms 80' below the surface in the dig recently. does that count?

Oh yeah! Worms are just snake seeds, right? Plant them, add a bit of water and fertilizer, and you have snakes! I wouldn't grow them at home though...

Joanne

My late friend Norman spent some time as mine captain at the Ashanti gold mine in Ghana. One morning (he recalled) he was at the collar of the upcast shaft, and noticed an odd length of thick, black high-voltage cable which, he assumed, one of the electricians had left lying in one of the girder webs. Giving it a tap with his size 9 steelie, the cable gave him a dirty look and slithered away..... Gabon Viper! :ohmygod:

Mark

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I didn't realize that there are poisonous in England. Are they common?

Fairly common. The Adder would give you an unpleasant nip, but nothing like the necrosis-inducing invenomations of desert-dwelling snakes!

Probably no worse than accidentally ingesting Pot Noodle...

MARK

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So did you buy it? 😉

So about 4 hours north of Las Vegas is the historic mining town of Tonopah.

Thanks Joanne you've just unlocked a little "life mystery" - there's a line in a Lowell George* song that mentions Tonapah!

*

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So did you buy it? ;D

Surprisingly, we didn't.... ;-)

But, on the same trip I visited the Shamrock Mine and we DID buy the rights to that mine. In a few weeks I'll be adding it to the database here and doing a thread on it. In the mean time here's a few preview pics.

It's way out in the middle of nowhere. Here's the collar of the mine.




Looking back up.




Kelly, a co-owner, stepping off the ladder.




Surveying an ore chute.




Me after a long day. Four hours drive to get home.


Joanne

So about 4 hours north of Las Vegas is the historic mining town of Tonopah.

Thanks Joanne you've just unlocked a little "life mystery" - there's a line in a Lowell George* song that mentions Tonapah!

*

Just listened to the song. Didn't realize that Little Feat had a version too. Ironic that I grew up in Tucson and have been to every town that they mention. My favorite song of theirs is Dixie Chicken.

http://www.mine-explorer.com/Tonopah/tonopah1.htm 

Joanne

http://www.mine-explorer.com/Tonopah/tonopah1.htm 

Joanne

Some very interesting images, thanks.:)

Very interesting. The War Eagle mine looks especially nice!

Very interesting. The War Eagle mine looks especially nice!

It's a great mine with lots to explore. There are a series of mines in the area that are just great to explore. You can spend days just walking around underground, or you can grab ropes and see some less visited areas.

Joanne

My favorite song of theirs is Dixie Chicken.

Cracking track - along with Rocket in my Pocket!

:offtopic:

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Very interesting. The War Eagle mine looks especially nice!

It's a great mine with lots to explore. There are a series of mines in the area that are just great to explore. You can spend days just walking around underground, or you can grab ropes and see some less visited areas.

Joanne

Would definitely be on my list if it wasn't 2000 miles away!