Vegas Day Trips.

VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
Most people visiting Vegas never leave the Strip and sadly miss so much of our local character and history. My wife and I enjoy climbing and exploring, but our passion is historical mine exploration. There are so many ways to die in mine, so I hope this doesn't encourage anyone. I just wanted to share with everyone an alternative to the Strip. Enjoy them from a safe distance.

I have thousands of pictures of mines within an hours drive of the Vegas Strip. I'll update this thread if there's an interest. If you ever plan on visiting Vegas, I hope you take a day to get outdoors.

This mine really snuck up on us. Most of the mines we've encountered have been into a rock feature like a hill or a mountain.
 

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VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
Our initial instinct was to keep driving because there didn't look like there was much to it. I'm so glad we took the time to have a closer look. It really had some depth to it.
 

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VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
We never reached the bottom of this mine. We ran out of rope long before the bottom. We'll return to that one at a later date with more rope.
 

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roverrocks

Expedition Leader
Interesting. What were your pictured mines extracting? Silver or what? I know the state of Utah has had a program to completely close up many old mine holes because of "safety concerns". What about Nevada?
 

VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
That was a single mine. Most of the mining in the area has been for gold, silver, lead and zinc. There are also signs of volcanic activity in this area and a few tales of diamonds being found.

Every few years, someone falls into a mine and gets hurt or dies. After each instance, there's a public outcry to close the mines. I'm torn on this. I enjoy the mines, but I also don't want people to get hurt. I've seen mines made safe by using concrete blocks, steel bars, barb wire, and expanding foam called Puf.

In many instances where people enter mines and fall down shafts, there are already signs posted and some form of barrier. I don't think we should be protecting people from themselves. What upsets me most about the mine closures is the process often destroys the history.
 

VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
Smaller mining operations would transport their ores to a larger mining mill for processing.
 

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VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
This is the largest mine mill we've come across in the area. It stood about 10 stories tall.
 

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VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
Here's another one near Vegas.
 

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VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
This mine went in and out of the mountain side. It was like an ant hill in there.
 

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p nut

butter
I saw a Dirty Jobs episode where they use that foam (Puf) stuff to seal up mines. Do you ever get freaked out of cave ins? Pretty cool pics.
 

VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
Yeah, I saw that episode too. My blood pressure went up while watching that. I've seen mines sealed with Puf that people clawed their ways into. It leaves a huge mess. Here's how I view mine safety. If someone sees the warning signs and crosses the physical barrier and still gets hurt, it's their own fault. They're the same type of person that lights firecrackers in their hand so they can throw them. Most of the time they're fine, but eventually one of them blows their hand up.

Cave ins are always a danger, but I enjoy the exploring so much it's a risk I accept. Many of the mines we explore were abandoned over 100 years ago. They were never designed to last that long. Even in their best shape, they are still dangerous and unpredictable. My safety habits are minimal at best, but my wife is always with me and I'm very protective of her. If anything looks remotely unsafe, we leave.

Here is a perfect example of the danger of cave ins. The first time we visited that mine all of the boulders you see on the ground were all part of the ceiling. I used to laugh at the miners for putting up all the wood shoring. I figured it the mine was going to collapse, the little sticks of wood wouldn't help. Guess I was wrong.
 

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haven

Expedition Leader
What's the legal status of these old mines? I imagine the red and black signs in a couple of your photos tell people to keep out.
 

VegasUnderworld

Adventurer
Most abandoned mines in this area are on Bureau of Land Management land. Public use unless otherwise specified. If ever I see a "No Trespassing" sign or an active claim, I never enter the property. I'm a firm believer in respecting property rights.

All of the signs in my area are marked "Danger. Unsafe Mine. Stay out. Stay Alive." which is a safety warning and not a notice of trespass. If I ever post a picture with a trespass sign, it's because I've received special permission or have been contracted by the land or claim owner.

Here is a close up of one of the warning signs.
 

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PJC

Observer
Viva (back-country) Las Vegas

Thanks for the mine-specific travelogue on the Vegas area. We have a second home about 17 miles from the Strip; out near Lake Mead and enjoy that venue much more than the traditional Vegas delights. Just a comment for all those who plan a trip there to spend some time in the back--country after hitting the night life. The surrounding desert area is beautiful and easily accessed.
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
very cool pics of the inside of the mines...
I have traveled around the desert southwest for years but rarely venture underground. I doubt I will start now but at least I can enjoy your pics :)

thanks for posting
 

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