rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 27, 2009 22:09:30 GMT -5
We were in between snow storms today, so we got out again for the afternoon. This time we just drove up one of the canyons to see the wildlife. One of the best places to do this is near Hyrum, Utah. It's called Blacksmith Fork Canyon. As we were entering the canyon, this was the sight that greeted us. Looks like Bambi is wearing a radio collar. Then we drove on up the canyon. This is some of the terrain. Then, as we came around a curve, we ran into these guys. Wild turkeys aren't a real common sight in Utah, but the population is growing. Then we continued up the canyon to Hardware Ranch, which is a state owned operation that feeds Elk during the winter months. They even run sleigh rides out into the herd so you can see them up close. Of course with the financial crisis, these rides are currently suspended. These pictures were taken from the parking area. The 2 big boys near the center of this pic were having a mild disagreement. But it didn't last long. The next 2 pics were taken on the way out. This last picture was taken as we left the canyon, Sharri caught one of the deer in the air as it jumped the fence. And if you look close in the clearing near the upper left corner, there are several deer and 1 large elk. Thanks for looking.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 27, 2009 22:18:02 GMT -5
Great photos! That's up in my neck of the woods. I spent many, many summer days fishing on the little stream of Left Hand Fork. I saw my Dad pull out many big Browns out of that little stream. That's where I learned too. Have you ever ventured up Left-Hand Fork?? There's a mine up a ways called Lucky Star Mine. You can find lots of Quartz Crystals around on the tailings. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories. Steve
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2009 22:21:05 GMT -5
Great photos, thanks for sharing!
shannon
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 27, 2009 23:05:15 GMT -5
Those pics are great!! We don't see too much wildlife around here, an occasional deer or two but that's about it.
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 27, 2009 23:13:58 GMT -5
Steve, my wife and I had 2 camping trips there with my oldest son, his wife and the Grandkids this summer. On the last trip I took off by myself one morning and managed to locate that mine. I did the climb and found some crystals right outside the lower shaft. That is WAY too much of a climb for my fat old ass. I'll leave that to you young guys from now on. According to my Topo maps that thing is almost 1500 feet in elevation above the road and the slope is almost too steep to stand on. I don't know how anybody could get up there and have enough energy left to dig that thing! ;D
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 27, 2009 23:24:57 GMT -5
Bikerrandy, I downsized that last picture tremendously to post it. The wife's camera is a 10.1 MP Canon. In the original picture, you can see over 20 deer in the field of view, plus the elk, (It's a shame we can't get that kind of resolution out to everyone) and they were all over like that all the way up the canyon.
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Post by catmandewe on Jan 27, 2009 23:30:59 GMT -5
Nice pics Roger, always good to see wildlife around. Thanks for takin us along....................Tony
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Jan 27, 2009 23:43:37 GMT -5
Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing.
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Post by akansan on Jan 28, 2009 10:40:56 GMT -5
Those Mulies are terrific. Makes me miss the Guadalupes in New Mexico - loved camping up there just to watch the Mulies in the morning.
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Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Jan 28, 2009 11:09:37 GMT -5
Don't worry R. we did not have Turkeys here 10 years ago, now you have to be care ful when you drive they are everywhere. They walk right in my friends basement if they leave the door open. Beautiful pics, thanks for sharing. Terry
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Post by Bejewelme on Jan 28, 2009 12:01:46 GMT -5
WOW another great photo journey! I love seeing other parts of the country through the great people on here! Love the Elk rescue! Beautiful country out there!! No wonder Steve became a little billygoat to climb all those hills and see all that country! Quick, plan another trip!!! Amber
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 28, 2009 13:25:52 GMT -5
It is a fairly steep climb...but it's well worth it. I am suprised at how steep the terrain is to...and for how big the mine is..I've never seen any cabin or structure sites around. My guess is that across the river there is a flattened area....and I'm thinking that is where they would have had some cabin sites. In fact...if you look up the area on google earth...that little spot is actually called "Cabin Hollow". Next time you go up, you should explore the mine. It is actually 2 levels. The wooden ladder inside is in good shape which allows you to get to the lower level...if you go into the upper entrance. Just above the entrance is a bunch of prospects where we've found some good chunks of Malachite with Azurite and probably Bornite. I'll have to see if I can find any pics to post. On the north side of the cliffs the mine is in...you can really find some neat Quartz Plates as well. I am up there a few times a year for fly fishing...but maybe we'll have to set up a weekend excursion. I love the area. One more note...on the opposite side lower into the canyon...there's a mine way up high. All is see is tailings. I've heard from several sources that it was actually a Spanish Silver Mine. I have yet to climb up there to investigate...but one of these days I'm going to. Gotta take my metal detector for that one. Steve
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 28, 2009 14:39:11 GMT -5
Steve, I've been dieting and walking on the treadmill to get the weight down and get the legs in better shape, but I don't think it will make me younger. I do know that there's no exercise that will make the old cojones big enough to willingly go into a hole in the ground! It scares the holy hell out of me! ;D Other than that part it sounds good to me. I didn't see a ladder, the upper shaft appeared to be vertical, so I stayed well back from the edge. The lower shaft just had a very small opening. I tossed in a rock and it souded like it bounced quite a way down, but maybe that's just the Wuss in me speaking.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 28, 2009 20:53:12 GMT -5
Have you tried that maxoderm stuff??? I see alot of those commercials on late night TV! ;D ;D ;D The upper opening has the wooden door on it. The ladder is way back inside the mountain. It's a huge mine as the tailings pile can testify to it. Just by driving by it though...it's hard to even tell it's part of a mine tailings. If you don't see the mine workings on the hill...nobody would tell because it looks just like a regular rock slide. The mine is very open. The worst part about it is all the BATS! I hate BATS!! In the summer, towards the bottom opening is a large high ceiling. The Bats will congregate in there by the 100's. I DON"T LIKE THEM AT ALL....and I usually RUN out of the last 20-30' of that Mine ;D ;D ;D Steve
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 28, 2009 21:10:18 GMT -5
Steve, I obviously stumbled onto the wrong diggings. The lower opening in the one I was at was caved in and not large enough for anyone to crawl through. The upper one was vertical and very deep. I thought it might be ventilation for the lower one, but I stayed back a ways from it so I couldn't see that far down. I couldn't afford a fall as no one at camp even new where I was and the quad was out of sight of the road. I didn't see a sign of a wooden door anywhere in the area.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 28, 2009 21:17:40 GMT -5
I actually think you were above the main mine. There is a vertical shaft above the main tunnels. I know exactly the caved area you are talking about is...and you probably passed by a couple larger holes into the side of the mountain. They have been undercut quite a bit...but I've been inside there digging very cautiously. The openings into the main mine are large enough to walk into. You must have just passed them by. steve
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 28, 2009 21:19:53 GMT -5
Amber, you can be sure that we will be out again taking more pictures soon. We just have to wait for payday so I can buy more diesel for the truck. ;D The extended forecast has next week looking good, with temps maybe in the 40s, so we're looking at then.
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 28, 2009 21:28:11 GMT -5
You're probably right Steve, my legs were pretty wobbly by the time I got up there so I didn't do alot of wandering around. In fact, I was sitting on the ground in front of the caved in part, gasping for breath, when I found the crystals. Getting old is a real shock to the system, but as they say, much better than the alternative. ;D
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rbush
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 116
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Post by rbush on Jan 29, 2009 7:24:32 GMT -5
And on that Maxoderm thing, I don't think it would give you the, uhhh, let's call it courage, to go in the mine. But it should give you a handy place to hang your bucket so you could collect specimens with both hands!
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 29, 2009 7:53:45 GMT -5
Indeed it could...especially with a little use of that Viagra stuff! Rockhounding with both hands...now that's the ticket! Steve
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