The Carlyle Mine is a fairly popular explorers destination. There is a lot to draw an expolorer there. First of all its fairly easy to get to with a basic 4×4 or AWD vehicle. Secondly there are many stopes, raises and drifts that are well timbered with access to multiple levels. The timbers and ladders look like they were picked up last month at Home Depot, they are incredibly preserved compared to the wet mushy timbers found in the mother lode. There also exist 4 portals spaced several thousand feet apart as you climb hundreds of feet up the ravine. The first portal is a fairly easy walk and each portal increases in distance and altitude with few ever reaching the 4th. We only made it to the first and second portals.
…with few ever reaching the 4th.
The other draw to the mine is the somewhat extensive carbide lamp writings on the timbers and walls from the miners ranging from 1936 to 1941 when the mine was at its hay day. Several miners even posted their name and home addresses but I doubt they are alive today.
As we drove up the ravine we could see the tell tell signs of pinkish mill waste and then finally we could see the mill foundation and various tram works further up the hill. There are many foundations and collapsed structures but none remain standing.
Have you been to the Carlyle Mine or plan to go soon? I would love to hear your comments below!
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The Carlyle is a patented claim, meaning it is private property. The owners are currently working the mine and some of the chute gates are being pulled by the owners.