Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Mon Jun 27 2011, 08:20AM

My wife and I hiked to this remarkably intact mining camp in the vicinity of Cactus Flats. A miner's cabin still stands, along with ruins of a small log cabin. There is also a dam and an arrastre. Does anybody have the history of this camp?

Sorry to be so vague about its location but I have been sworn to secrecy as to its location by the legendary Tom Core....

John









Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Craig (KJ6BCM), Mon Jun 27 2011, 12:20PM

Very Nice Shots Arch! Thank you for sharing. Unfortuantely I have nothing to add

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Mon Jun 27 2011, 12:42PM

Here are a couple more pictures, including something screwed to the wall inside the cabin that I just cannot figure out what it is....

John









Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
luna, Mon Jun 27 2011, 01:10PM



I think that I saw that in a Simpson catalog...an early HD44 maybe?



Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ROCK, Mon Jun 27 2011, 02:45PM


its a wall mounted can opener

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ROCK, Mon Jun 27 2011, 02:48PM




Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Lumbe® Jill, Mon Jun 27 2011, 03:52PM

While I understand the theory behind keeping these places a secret, it really annoys me. I know there's concern of damage done by idiots, but is it really better to keep these creeps away, as well as honest, curious, dedicated citizens, as the history silently slip away due to elements, or more tragically, fire?

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Around The Lake, Mon Jun 27 2011, 04:16PM

I know I saw a story by Tom on this site just do not remember it it was the way it was or his book.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
JohnnyT, Mon Jun 27 2011, 06:55PM

Based on the material, nails and condition, I'd be surprised if it was more than 60 years old.


Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Mon Jun 27 2011, 06:59PM

If it is the ohne I am thinking of it is or recently was a working claim. Thy don't do a lot of work on it. The owners are getting up there.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Tue Jun 28 2011, 11:13PM

It is not the one I was thinkintg about. Another place I haven't seen before I have been close but never saw this. Makes me wonder of all the other things I haven't seen

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Wed Jun 29 2011, 07:39AM

I agree; this is just one....I wonder how many more historical treasures there are out there that we don't even know about!

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Wed Jun 29 2011, 09:17AM

I used to get a kick out of when Tom Core would write "recently discovered" I don't think he got it that just because he just found it doesn't mean it was lost. I think someone knows about everything but nobody knows it all. My dad spent a lot of time looking for a graveyard that was not far from the one near Bellville. Not much room for it to hide, but he could never find it again.
I had a habit of picking up rocks and got back one day and busted up one that was black and busted it open and it had quite a bit of gold in it. We had driven almost everywhere that day and I was not sure where I found it. I am pretty sure it was not from where it started out, but along a road, or a old trail we had run across.

Lots still left to see and "discover"

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Thu Jun 30 2011, 07:10AM

How did you decide it was a mining camp cabin? Could be one of those old cabins dot along the edge of the mountain and were Land homesteading cabins. The Bear Valley Sportsman Club built water guzzler all over down there for wild life. If that cabin is the one I am thinking of there is a guzzler to the west of the cabin in the flats. The guzzlers look like concrete slabs flat on the ground with a bit of a domed roof and one side will have a lifted off the ground so small animals can get in. Watch out for Rattlesnakes and the Ewings, there is an 80-acre piece of private land on the back grade on both sides of the highway goes through.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Thu Jun 30 2011, 07:41AM

There is a couple of old house type cabins down Pipes Canyon and cars beat up from people in the bottom of the canyon. There is only one way in now from the top form Onyx Summit you will need a 4 WD, It’s a 4 wd only road you will have to come back up it. Another cabin up on Onyx Summit with a pond is kind off cool and a lot still there I think this is it the waypoint for it is 34°12'42.43"N 116°42'38.70"W I have a lot of points not labeled.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Thu Jun 30 2011, 07:55AM

Well, with an arrastre, dam, and water pipes I sort of thought it would be for mining activities, no?


Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Thu Jun 30 2011, 07:59AM

I dont have a clue Just did not want ot "core" it up

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Thu Jun 30 2011, 08:07AM

BG and FBG can tell you more about the old cabins aournd and why they are there, they have me by a few years/decades on me. I remember a few stick built cabins along the side of the roads up in HOlcomb with the doors and doorknobs but they tore them all down.The cabins out by the dump went in the 70s or so. White Mountain mine had a nice old house with a view to kill for. GONE enjoy now. The Horse Thief rock Cabin BLM blew up was a crime.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Thu Jun 30 2011, 08:44AM

That is the reason I try to keep them quiet. Hoping that with changeovers in the FS that "they" forget they are there. Seems like when they find them they destroy them. I believe the one in Pipes canyon was part of an onyx mine. There is a sort of rope tow up the side of the hill that they brought the rock down with. There is also a food cooler built into the mountain. There use to be a ranch house a little way down the canyon on the oposite side of the creek. It was a very nice place and not that long ago. The tree huggers should have never been allowed to close off that road. Ruined a perfect little campground that the FS has ignored for years.
I have never seen the one on Onyx. Or one in Holcomb that I saw on a google map. I have been all around it but somehow nissed it.
Blowing up the one in horsethief flats was a crime.
There was quite a few places left in Doble but they had pretty much rotted away or been destroyed by people when they finally cleaned it up.
The stories these places could tell and they still do if we will stop long enough to listen.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Thu Jun 30 2011, 07:05PM

Looks like I passed the test for president and political office with 57 States later. Just want to know if they are photos are off your HO train set, the rumor is it is very detailed. Obvious I have no knowledge of gold mining now I know what an Arrista is. Guess should of look a bit more before the post.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Oso, Thu Jun 30 2011, 08:12PM

Maybe it's a transplanted Aussy long drop dunny.

[Click Here]

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Oso, Thu Jun 30 2011, 08:13PM

Maybe it's a transplanted Aussy long drop dunny.

[Click Here]

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Thu Jun 30 2011, 09:09PM

You mean pictures like these of my model railroad layout modeled to represent the mid 60's? (Click on pic to enlarge.)

Being an avid ghost-towner, I just HAD to have one on the layout. I'd like to see the FS try to tear THIS one down!

John















Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ROCK, Fri Jul 01 2011, 06:14AM

nice

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
JohnnyT, Fri Jul 01 2011, 09:05AM


Wow, what an awesome layout! Thanks for sharing it.


Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
robk (K6RBK), Mon Oct 10 2011, 05:35PM

I think I've been to that camp.

Shame that there are so few remaining around here.

Rob

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
©ammy, Mon Oct 10 2011, 08:39PM

Ah, thanks for the reminder - robk - now that it's not hot anymore, we need to make a visit down there.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
robk (K6RBK), Mon Oct 10 2011, 09:38PM



PM sent.

Rob

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Mtn.goat John, Tue Oct 11 2011, 06:08AM


robk, don't encourage him. That guy knows to much as it is.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
karvelis, Wed Jan 23 2013, 04:18PM

oh god,,,,,,, not another st. tom core thingy. most of toms info was borrowed or stolen from dave trimble

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
karvelis, Sun Feb 03 2013, 05:09PM

well i was in this area today looking for this camp, no luck yet but im determined! unless someone would like to message me a hint, but i will find it! lol!




Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
karvelis, Sun Feb 03 2013, 05:10PM

more importantly, my grandson had a blast with me out there on the hunt!




Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Mon Feb 18 2013, 08:28AM

PM sent

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Benny (N6BWX), Mon Feb 18 2013, 09:04AM



Why was a PM sent? I think the rest of us would like to know where too...

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Mon Feb 18 2013, 09:05AM

be careful in the area as cactus flats has rattlenakes undery every other rock

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
ArchJohn, Mon Feb 18 2013, 09:13AM

Just being careful here. Also don't want to give the FS a heads-up so they can go out there and return it to its "natural state" like they did with the townsite of Rose Mine.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Tue Feb 19 2013, 08:21AM




A friend was telling me in the 60s the FS took a contractor Broughton or Backs up to Holcomb with a bulldozer. They would push over the old cabins, mine structure and put up a sign to mark the spot. They have pushed over other building since then, William Farley had a place in Van Dusen to the west of the road by the by the PCH it is just a foundation of the house now. Another is a miner that died in 69 in Holcomb Reggie over by the Pinnacles his place is gone the house at White Mountain. BLM dynamited Horse thief cabin in the 80s Lucky they can not drive up to the Cabin in the sky but the weather and time is taking it toll the roof is now gone. Not much at the old mine shack down in Cactus Flats but an arrastre but it is in good shape for the age and an old ford motor rusting in the streambed. Nice if people could just look and not take home a piece. The old ore stand at Baldwin is looking like it won’t be around much longer only 60 years old or so.

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Tue Feb 19 2013, 09:15AM

B.B. Don't forget horsethief flats where they brought in the Marines to take out a cute little rock cabin.
I don't let them in on anything. Another thing we will have to point out is the cabin in the sky. that will require two stops. One to see it and another to point out the trail. It was Wray Backs who did the work. Also the mill creek boys camp, which was pushed into a creek. That has caused damage to the creek and erosion. They seem to either want to destroy or fence off everything

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
karvelis, Tue Feb 19 2013, 09:26AM

its funny the sick and twisted way US Forestry wants to "preserve" history out there. i had heard of the bulldozing of many buildings both in Calpboard town and union. there is noting i would like more than to "talk" to some of these forestry people behind the ol wood shed (wink wink)

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
bills grandson, Tue Feb 19 2013, 10:16AM

You have to also consider that many times it is the tree huggers who are pushing the F.S. to do these things.
I feel that the vast majority of tree huggers have the best intentions but the few (as in any group) are fanatics and have made it clear they would like to empty out places like Big Bear and drive people into the cties and turn everything back to the way it was hundreds of years ago.
There are many places where they are winning this battle

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
Benny (N6BWX), Tue Feb 19 2013, 12:25PM



Don't be gettin no sticky fingers on your "hunt"!

Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
karvelis, Tue Feb 19 2013, 04:09PM



trust me i wont,,,,,, im taking nothing but pictures out with me


Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
BB Dweller, Wed Feb 20 2013, 06:05AM



No Good Deed Goes Unpunished


Re: Mining camp near Cactus Flats
karvelis, Wed Feb 20 2013, 08:08AM


omg, aint this the truth!