I found this stamp mill searching the internet. No real information other than it is near Salado Creek off Hunt Rd near Milton, CA. You can see it clearly from Google Earth and crazy enough you can even see it from Google Streets, holy cow! USGS Topo maps show two un-named mine shafts a short distance away. If you know any history on this stamp mill or the nearby mines please let me know.
We set off to explorer the mines and mill in April 2014. They are certainly on fenced private property and passers by took a long hard look at us. We parked around the bend at a gate in the fence and headed east down the slope toward the creek until we discovered the old mining road. We followed the road past the mine locations on USGS Topo and down the hill to the mill. The mines apparently have been filled to keep cattle from falling in.
The stamp batteries still filled with ore.
Above the mill we found a giant ore pile and old ore cart rails scattered about. We followed the tailings down the slope to find a giant ore hopper and chute leading to a 10 stamp mill. The stamp batteries still filled with ore. Once around the front of the mill we saw several of the 10 stamps had been torched out but the amalgamation tables were still in place. The stairs, ladders and floors around the stamp looked way to rotten for us to climb around on. In fact the entire thing looks like it might fall over in the next big wind.
Fascinating little gem and a worthy excursion. If you make the trip or find this post interesting please comment below!
