Exploring Arizona Abandoned Mines: Big Eye Mine
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- čas přidán 19. 03. 2016
- The Big Eye Mine and its cabin remain a very popular hiking and jeeping destination in the far reaches of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and its Castle Dome Mountains in Yuma County, Arizona. This particular video of my documentation and exploration of Arizona's Big Eye Mine was originally filmed and posted in August of 2012. I am re-posting the same video again after making some minor edits for continuity and running time. This video highlights the well-maintained cabin, the many various artifacts in it, and provides some history behind the mine. I also explore and document the main Big Eye Mine tunnel as well as an upper level higher on the mountain. Enjoy this fascinating glimpse back into our mining history!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#AbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#UndergroundExploration
#BigEyeMine
The piece of machinery @ 3:18 is used for forming new cutting edges on cross-bit drill steel (before the advent of Carbide inserts, and replacable bits) . The old-time drill steel had the bit swaged on the end of the drill steel (steel & bit all one piece) . The dull drill steel was heated in a Forge until it was White Hot, and then placed in this machine which used air pressure to clamp & hold the drill steel while the Bit Die restamped the bit into it's proper diameter and reformed new cross-cut edges on the bit . I got a chance to use one of these machines when I gave a demonstration as to how these machines work , back in the late 1970's when I worked at the Mizpah Mine in Tonopah, Nevada .
Beautiful desert scenery Frank. I love the stark, desolate beauty of the mountain and desert landscapes.
+Chris Thornley Thanks, Chris! This mine is a particular favorite hiking destination for a lot of people who visit the Kofa Wildlife Refuge.
Thanks Frank, you are very good at what you do. Stay safe!
+frogbg661 Thanks!
Nice video. I love watching you explore old mines and tell me abit of history. Stay safe bro
Wow! did not expect the inside of tbose cabins to be so well preserved! It looks like it was painted last week, almost like time traveling.
Beautiful final shot of the sunset and Cactus.
Thanks for your comment! I appreciate the feedback. Happy new year!
Really cool videos, thanks for sharing them with us.
+samsqwanchey Glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. Your support means a lot.
I couldn't believe how neat the cabins have stayed. Great channel love watching your adventures keep them coming...
I was the one that placed the mailbox @ the cabin around 2012 , I walked in the mine with my Coleman lantern 228F
Good to know! I absolutely love this mine! I explored the whole thing - all three levels. One of the best explorations I have ever done. A lot of history here, so it was cool to see it first hand. Thanks for your comment!
That last shot of the sun setting and the cactus was awesome. Worthy of a postcard.
I couldn't believe how well preserved and clean that Miner's cabin was. It seemed like they just left. All the artifacts were nicely arranged on shelves and tables. Most of the other cabins you have filmed are deteriorated and/or ravaged by vandals. Great video as always, Frank.
Pete Robinson it's taken care of🤦🏼♂️
Sadly with looters, im sure its all gone
Amazing how clean that cabin looked after all these years. Looks like you could move right in. Cool video, thanks for sharing.....Rhino
+Rhino Rinehart The cabin IS in great condition! Definitely worth hiking out to if you're in the area. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Always something cool and unique to see. Thank you as always.
+XFolf Thanks for checking out the video! The Big Eye Mine remains a very popular hiking and shipping destination for lots of people. I really enjoyed my hike out there three or four years ago. The mine was pretty incredible, too!
Nice explore Frank, keep em coming buddy!
that sun set at the end! Beautiful ! :) great explore yet again:)
An excellent video sir! I am pleased to see the vandals haven’t destroyed another piece of history!
Thanks, Anthony! This was an awesome mine to explore. So historic, so scenic. Loved every minute of it. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks for your comment. Your support here means a lot.
Recently went here to visit. Hasn't changed much.
Thanks for the update, Sophia!
I am really enjoying watching this channel. Keep up the great work.
Another great video Frank thanks for documenting it very pretty scenery too. I cant believe how clean the cabin was and the sun set was great . Ill post it on my Face book page fr a lot of my friends to watch. Regards Tom
+Tom Larkins Thanks, Tom! Yes, that cabin was in great shape. Of course, I'm not sure how it is today because this video was made several years ago. I'm sure, though, that it's probably still in good shape. Fascinating mine, too! Lot of history out there at that place.
I've Always liked this video from you I think because it represents my home state of beautiful Arizona. Thanks again Frank....
+Joshua Johnson Well, I'm glad I reposted this video if it was one of your favorites! haha Seriously, I think a lot of people enjoyed this video because it was one of my top six videos in terms of views. It was overdue for a little TLC being that I filmed it so long ago. It will be interesting to see if it skyrockets to the top once again in terms of views like it did the last time. The Big Eye Mine is really worth seeing. Did you ever go out there yourself to see it?
wow that place is so cool like going back in time
I used to live in Yuma, the desert trails were always cool to walk around, the areas rich in mines.
Thank you for the video Frank.
+Richard Maunder no problem, Richard! I had to repost this video because the Big Eye Mine is such a historical place. I'm so glad I made the trek out there and explored the entire mine so that it can be preserved on video for everybody to see.
Great, great video!!
The Big Eye Mine is a great place to go exploring if you're ever in the Arizona desert. It's in the Kofa Wildlife Refuge. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Dude, deserts are so rad... sunset, cactus and stuff :-)
keep these coming, good stuff.
I love this channel keep the videos coming
+Adrian Howard-Larsen Thank you, Adrian! Glad to hear that you are a fan. I appreciate your support.
You should visit some of our mines in Australia
+michael ogilvie I was in Melbourne and Albany back in 1996, but I wasn't into exploring mines then.
Thank you for subscribing! Welcome aboard! If you ever visit Arizona, be sure to stop by and check out the Big Eye Mine. Lots to see there and explore!
I love those orange chairs 🪑👍👍
I really do enjoy your videos! I have wanted to get into abandon mine exploration for a while now, and just been reading. I think you do a FANTASTIC job of showing! Thank you!
+James Colson Thank you, James! These abandoned mines certainly are historic places that need to be documented before they are gone forever. If geology, history, and/or spelunking are of any interest to you, then you will enjoy exploring abandoned mines. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I look forward to seeing some of your abandoned mine videos someday in the near future.
+Exploring Abandoned Mines Thank you! I am in Colorado, Denver so they are EVERYWHERE. I just wanna get prepared as much as possible because I know they are dangerous and can kill me easily! Any tips would be welcome!
Wonderful work! That is a gorgeous bit of desert!
+539 Productions The Big Eye Mine is particularly scenic. That's probably why it remains a very popular hiking destination. Glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you.
I used to go here when i was a kid in the early eighties. An elderly couple use to stay here and take care of the place for Pauline. I can remember being in the mine. Believe it or not the place looks exactly the same.
Thanks for the comment and anecdote, Michael! Yes, it seems that things at these more remote mines don’t change much over the years.
Beautiful scenery🌵🌄. That extensive stope must have been a quality ore/gold seam. I haven't seen this video. I will have to check out your other earlier vids👍.
This was an awesome mine to explore! A lot of history here. My only regret is that I did not go down that short inclined winze not too far inside the entrance. I’m not sure how extensive the workings are down there.
thanks man, your videos are great
+whitetop11 Love hearing that, bro! Thank you. It's comments like that which keep me going out there bushwhacking to all of these really awesome, historical mines.
It's funny I found this channel I used to do this back in the early 80s with a guy named Russ brought back a lot of memories
Thanks, Jeff, for stopping by leaving a comment. Back when you were exploring these mines in the 1980s, that was the heyday when there were artifacts and things left in the mines. At this late date, unfortunately, everything has been picked over, looted, taken as souvenirs, and removed by previous explorers and hikers. Not much left in these old mines now. You were also exploring in the 1980s before they were installing bat gates and foam plugs in mine entrances to keep people out of the mines like they do now. Must’ve been great to have been exploring mines back in those days!
This was really a cool video. Thanks again.
+Stan Lindert So glad to hear that you enjoyed this video, Stan! I really enjoyed the hike out there three or four years ago when I made this video documentation of the Big Eye Mine.
That's some amazing looking country out there. One day i'll have to make it out west to check it all out.
+Tommy TwoGun I agree that it's nice country out here. You definitely should visit if you get a chance.
That's cool,we will be going into the Gladiator Mine by Crown King Arizona coming up this Saturday.
I never heard of the Gladiator Mine. I’m not very familiar with that area to begin with.
Clean building. Silly, but love the desert 🌵 look. Here’s the silly part... love looking at the river rocks. End up with pockets full and can hardly walk. Low and a bit sketchy looking. Safety First. Ty
beautiful sunset brother stay safe.😎😎😎😎
+Moe ledon There is something about those Arizona sunsets that is really unique. Glad you enjoyed it, too!
Amazing video
Thank you, Beryl! Glad you enjoyed the video. If you’re ever out that way, this is definitely one thing you should go and see.
awsome vid keep up the good work
+H Grantham Right on! Thanks for your comment.
I like rewatching your vids anyway, so reups are cool with me.
+David Berry Thanks, David! This was one of my favorite videos from the early days. The Big Eye Mine was a really historic mine definitely worth documenting. Thanks for taking the time to rewatch and comment!
wow thats amazing...
Liked the first time I saw and liked it even more this time
+Doc McCoy Thanks, Doc!
thanx Frank.....very kool vid.......History
Glad you liked this one. If you're ever in the area, you should definitely make the trek out to the Big Eye Mine. It's worth it! Thanks for commenting and watching!
Finaly found your channel again, for weeks i could only find those UK kids doing some abandoned places stuf.... and that music on the back ground wugh.....
but finaly i found you :D
+PlayfulGames Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that you found me again! Thanks!
Awesome!
+EmmaInCandyland I appreciate your comment! Thanks!
cool video we dont have much mines in Holland reminds me of that movie : The Abandoned mine
Now while in quarantine im binge watching your videos its so good :D
Thanks, Niklas! I appreciate you taking the time to watch some of my older videos.
@@AbandonedMines11 Yeah cause I don't see any lack of quality at all :) All of your videos are just too good. And I don't think that 4 years are that long ago
It looks like they had a minor miner lol. Great video! Keep them coming and stay safe!
+Bobby0345 Yeah, I thought the same thing about the minor miner. LOL Thanks for watching!
That was Awesome !
Great exploration! Take care :)
+Curacao Life Thanks!
Thank you for posting! we were here several months ago and could not find the entrance! partly due to time constraints as we had to get rental car back to PHX by later in the day so we were in a bit of a rush...now we know and we will certainly be back someday soon. Curious if you've done any exploration in the Madera Canyon area?
Hey, Benjamin! I'm not familiar with Madera Canyon that you asked about. Never heard of it. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my video of the Big Eye Mine. I hope you can return someday and spend more time hiking around the site.
@@AbandonedMines11 Hey thanks for the reply...we're busy watching your videos and just saw two of the paranormal ones...yikes! The Madera canyon is south of Tucson. "Bogs Spring" campground and hike is our plan for Labor Day :-) But looks like there are a host of old mines in that area...www.mindat.org/feature-5319418.html
I've explored a bit of the El Tigre mine in teh Chiriacuah's and only the outside of Silver Prince there as well... Would like to see more in the Chiricuaha area. Thanks for the channel!
That's all new territory for me, I'm afraid. Looks interesting, though. I'll look up that El Tigre Mine. Never heard of it. Have fun out there today and tomorrow!
Great!
good to see you exploring AZ you ever gonna find that lost dutchman mine;)
+429redneck The lost Dutchman Mine! No, I never caught that fever. Ha ha Seems like anybody who goes looking for that mine ends up dying out there.
Pretty cool. Your reruns are better than anything on TV. Hahaha
+azdesertdog Thanks, man!
I have to ask you something. First of all, congrats on a new subscriber ;). But I wanted to ask you what you look for in determining hazards in the mines, and what precautions do you take or what do you do and/or bring to prepare in case something goes wrong? Like, I noticed you were trying to avoid tunnels with stagnant water and piles of dirt in them for example in other vids. Why is that? Are there other things in particular that you look for? How often do you take the riskier path?
I guess I have two questions. Do you need special permission to access the mines you explore or are most of them truly "abandoned" with nobody owning them? It must be nice to be a real life adventurer. You're pretty freakin awesome.
Piles of broken rock in drifts indicate fallen rock, which can indicate unstable conditions. Stagnant water often contains dissolved toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, that can be released if the water is disturbed.
Most mines out west are on BLM or Forest Service land, and so are public-access. Mining claims do not cover land access, only mineral rights, and most claims have lapsed in any case. The only access issues come when the mine is on private land. Mines here in Missouri are typically on private land, but landowners are usually happy to grant access.
As far as emergency equipment, you will want ample supplies of food and water, for one. Multiple lights and spare batteries are a must, as is a quality first-aid/trauma kit. I personally bring a knife and short-barrel shotgun to virtually all mines, which about covers animal and human threats.
You will also want a quality hard hat to protect against incidental impacts and small falling objects. If you know that a mine has potential for bad air, a multi-gas monitor should also be brought. Most desert mines don't have much in the way of bad air, but damp mines or coal mines certainly can. DO NOT ENTER AN ABANDONED COAL MINE WITHOUT GAS DETECTORS!!!!
Many mines can be dusty; a dust mask is a good idea. Uranium mines should just be considered a no-go due to radon, but a mask or respirator should do for anything else. The worst stuff I can think that you'd encounter outside of uranium or coal is anglesite or cerussite, which are bio-available lead compounds. Galena, the most common lead ore, is basically non-bio-available; the other stuff won't hurt you so long as you don't eat it and keep your exposure short. If you aren't working in the mine for months or years, anglesite or cerussite will not be an issue.
not to mention a good air quality tester
You should check out the Lutz tunnel in the Huachucas. Not too big, but was fun to explore in the 90s.
I have watched a bunch of videos and like the videos just would like more info on the rocks and why they were digging where they were. I guess seems a little weird the point was mining and all. the history bits about the mines and tools and such they used was cool to learn about :)
Those cabins were surprisingly well preserved. o_O
Dry desert air will do that.
That's what I was saying they look really nice they look like with a bit of restoration I could be livable I'm not saying I know that for a fact I have no experience in fixing things or building things I'm just saying it didn't look too bad
Nice keep up the good work
+GAMING I.N.C Right on, man! Thanks for the comment.
+Exploring Abandoned Mines no problem i think I'm your newest sub 👍
+GAMING I.N.C Thanks for subscribing and welcome aboard! Just so you know, I upload a new video on the 1st, 10th, and 20th of each month. Feel free to comment, ask questions, or whatever. Thanks again for subscribing!
nice video
Have you been to the Monte Cristo mine in Arizona ? Says there's a 1500ft incline shaft and 3 miles of drift tunnels I hope to check it out soon !
Cool vids! Does anyone know how in the world do they dug out those stopes and holes going down? Did they use some kind of scaffolding?
I think I've watched all of your explorations so far and they're great! It seems like the vast majority of the mines and even the miners cabins show no source of water. Even mines with water lines and tanks in them you've never pointed out any wells. So I'm wondering where the water came from for drinking and even mining at these mines?
Has anyone actually ever found and even legitimately documented the Lost Dutchman mine? Been looking into it and haven't found much except brief history lessons. Very interested in this mine. Would be a treat if anyone were able to document some real footage of the mine!
Great work!
Greetings from Germany!
+U.N.D. Urban Exploration and Nature Documentations Guten Tag! Wie geht es Ihnen? It's been a long time since I've had to use my German. I'm not sure if that was grammatically correct or not. Anyway, thank you for your comment! I always enjoy hearing from viewers who are located overseas.
Yout german sentence was perfect :)
My English is not so good, too.^^
As soon as I saw your channel I had to immediately subscribe! I live in Southern West Virginia in the heart of the state's coal mining so there are many abandoned mines around here most still contain the continuous miners and other various machines, you should definitely come and check them out most of the old coal mining towns still exist as well which adds to the history.
+loganbaileysfunwithtrains Those coal mines are notorious for having "bad air" in them! Thankfully, there aren't any coal mines in the deserts out here. There is a guy on CZcams who was exploring old coal mines in NJ and PA. He had the proper safety gear and air monitoring device. I think his channel was NJ Underground or something like that. You should check it out!
+Exploring Abandoned Mines thanks I'll check his channel out, as long as you are very careful it is relatively safe in most of the coal mines
Holy crap, you go underground in abandoned bituminous coal mines? You should try posting videos of that!!
I'm looking to get into underground coal exploration, but I'll use SCBA and air-monitoring equipment, which makes the initial outlay rather expensive. If it wasn't necessary, I'd drive out to the Western Kentucky coalfield on a long weekend and find...stuff.
Porty1119 I've only done it a few times never recorded it, most mines where I live still are opened and haven't been sealed so air isn't a problem, just the rusting and rotting supports are a issue, I wouldn't recommend going into any coal mines with or without SCBA and other safety equipment, a lot of them collapse frequently and all are flooded to a certain degree.
Cabin is nice would be a great place and area to live.
Hi I was wondering where you guys get the coordinates for some of these mines in Arizona or do you just know people who know where they are??
Have you ever explored any mines near road forks, nm? there are quite a few there.
I don't know why,but I love your videos so much :3
+Jodan Robinson As long as viewers like you enjoy my videos, I'll keep making them. Thanks, man!
+Exploring Abandoned Mines No problem :D
I have to appreciate the respect you and your group take in not disturbing or the collecting of artifacts that so many do when exploring abandoned places. I also invite you to come to British Columbia Canada to explore the rich mining history that excists here.On a side note check out Forgotten British Columbia's website and FB page (shameless plug)
Have you explored the "clay mine" out in the Mojave near north Edwards ? very interesting mine
hey. new subscriber here. I wonder where to start...Is there an order I could follow? Do you have a playlist with all your videos that can be watch in order??? So older to newer, and not the opposite like most people do? THanks
Nice video.
Glad you enjoyed it! If you’re ever in Arizona, this is one hike that’s worth doing.
@@AbandonedMines11 it's on my bucket list. Thank you
Cool I take a artifact for a souvenir from there
a&a AZ Lots of choices!
How do I tell if a shaft is safe or not? And how do you find all these mines
if you could include the journey to all the mines you visit that would be awesome, but I guess that would be real time consuming when you put the videos together
I love the cabin and i am surprised there is no vandalism or graffiti . I love the old graffiti in the mine though, it gives you a good idea of when people were there. Very cool!
+jim ogle I often find graffiti inside the mines that the miners left. My "Gig's Folly" video had an unusual amount of miners' graffiti in it as well as artwork that the guys drew inside the mine.
+Exploring Abandoned Mines Yes , I watched Gig's Folly, That old graffiti was very cool to see.
i live in yuma,az and have been to big eye mine hundreds of times... Good review... There is a mine in Salome, Az you should check out....Would be great to see your review on it
Really makes me miss the desert.
+E_X_I_L_E Would be nice to have you come along, Shawn! It's been a year since our last exploration together. We need to make one happen again soon! Thanks for checking out this video, though.
+Exploring Abandoned Mines Indeed, it's been too long. I'm looking forward to our next adventure together!
We're planning on going here in the fall. We have friends in Roll Az which is just south of the mine. I read on line you can pretty much drive up to the cabin if you have 4x4, but you mention that the road has been closed?!? How far of a hike is it from the end of the nearest Rd. to the cabin? Thank you!
I believe the hike from the locked gate up to the cabin is a quarter mile or so. Not far at all. Might even be less than that.
+Exploring Abandoned Mines Great thanks! Any other mines you can recommend? I'm in Phx Az.
Love this shi man I might explore and film some abandoned places here in England!
+im .Blaazed Historic places like these abandoned mines need to be preserved on video because they are disappearing fast! If you do find some places over there in England to film, let me know - I'd like to see the videos!
+Exploring Abandoned Mines For sure man! There is quite alot where im at from the 17th - 18th century from when they were mining Bath stone for the Georgion city of Bath! Very historic, I just need a good camera and light haha!
+Exploring Abandoned Mines Ok so Ive just done some research and the mines were so extensive going all under Bath that when the mines were discovered in 1989 they realised the City was in danger of collapsing! and most of them have been filled in with solid concrete! But there are some remaining with a few entrances ill try and check out
I know this old video.that old cabin in good shape.
Thanks for your comment, Steve! If you’re ever out in Arizona, you need to stop by the Big Eye Mine and check it all out. It’s inside the Kofa Wildlife Refuge, so it’s a pretty scenic area to begin with.
@@AbandonedMines11 thanks I use go to Yuma az a lot. between Monticello UT to Moab UT.in Moab there lot caves there it's jeep country. Arches it so beautiful.
How long of a hike is it ?
Your vids are always great! Just wondering if you ever encountered anything like molds growing down in those shafts that might be dangerous?
Also, has Starbucks finally started a store or two in any of the mines you've explored? How about Applebee's. It wouldn't surprise me if they did!
I ran into a mine in New Mexico that seems to be full of black mold due to its ventilation being done improperly, so yes, it does happen. That mine also seems to have good reserves of lead and zinc, so I have a bit of a vested interest in solving that particular ventilation problem.
I was wondering do you get a sense about how dangerous a mine may be based on how the entry way looks?
Primer hispanohablante ? Buen vídeo.
Cool
You should go back to the Horton mine one more time
How would they get water in these remote and very arid areas?
+Vegas Cycling Freak At some of the mining camps like Candalaria, they actually made a pipe that went across the landscape for 20 or 30 miles or something like that from a freshwater spring! Pieces and sections of that pipeline are still existent if you know where to look.
Exploring Abandoned Mines - Why didn't I think of that? That's a long ways to run a water pipe. There's a lot more to these mines than just the tunneling thru rock.
another nice vid thx frank ;)
Do you ever wonder what was in the Horton Mine?
Nose nada de ingles pero me encantan tus vídeos :3
How much effort did they put in before they deciding 'this isn't worth carrying on?' or was it less hit and miss that that and they always knew it was going to pay them before starting each level?
I can't believe you didn't know me back then.... How did you ever get there without getting stuck or losing your phone?
+paul niblock (stonedagin1) Believe it or not, there were some pretty gnarly wash crossings on the road out to this mine. But I had a Dodge Ram pickup truck with really high clearance when I went out there. Wasn't a problem.
Don't get down to Yuma County often. When you say it is a "very popular destination" does that mean there will be like a couple dozen hikers there if I go on a weekend, or what?
Good video.
I believe the Big Eye Mine is printed on the refuge brochure. That’s why it’s a popular hiking destination. If you go during the summer, you will encounter less people due to the heat. Going during the winter months, you’re more likely to run into people. Either way, it’s a great place to hike and to explore.
the amount of balls it takes exploring abandoned mines is insane this shit freaks me the hell out idk why there's just some thing about it
+MX Hunter
i think it's cool :-) no worries
Puppude me to but its scaryyyy
if the place collapses and you have air, there is hope you can work your way out But if you dont have air you wont suffer long so it's soothing fact but if you get seriously hurt and cant move and you have air then you have a problemo :D
Do you ever fear getting lost in a mine? Some of the places you've explored seem to be like a maze!
curios question.... have you ever gotten lost while in the mines where theres many intersections
+45BATISTA What is a "curios"? A type of cereal?
What's the directions to get there I live in Yuma and want to see this
Go north to the Kofa Wildlife Refuge.