If you're ever in Vegas and found that you've lost your entire gambling budget the first night, there is still plenty to do. Just 20 minutes away you can be in the mountains and I've always thought there was much more to see and do there than on the Strip anyway.
My wife and I are big into history and some of our earliest western American history can be found right here. Mostly old mining towns and abandoned mines. Here are just a few of the places we've been.
This is the Sultan Mine south of Las Vegas. This systems spans four levels and over 1000 yards into and below the mountain. This mine has some of the largest tailing piles we've seen.
A tailing pile is made up of all the waste rock removed from the mine that contains no precious metals. Primary mining at this mine consisted of zinc, but gold and silver were byproducts.
Miners followed surface veins of ore into the rock. A horizontal mine feature is called an adit. Often, incorrectly called "tunnels". An adit can become a tunnel if opened at both ends.
The opening of an adit is referred to as a portal.
When the miners were successful in finding a large deposit of their precious metal, an attempt is made to remove as much as possible. The result is called a stope which can resemble a cavern. Often, miners called them "ballrooms". A stope that breaches the surface is called an "open stope".
This bridge spans a stope within the mine. I'd estimate it's probably 200 yards into the mountain. That 100+ foot drop to the left leads to another level. On the other side of the bridge was an incline rail to more lower levels.
Sometimes the miners would follow a vein vertically and create a shaft. The opening to a shaft is called a "collar".
These are extremely dangerous. Much of the collar is loose gravel making them very easy to fall into. Most abandoned mines will be covered or have a barrier around them, but there are many that are not. This one did not appear on any of our geological or BLM maps.
Here we are inside, looking up at the collar. There are so many ways to get seriously injured or die in a mine. Maintain a safe distance beyond any barriers.
Great Thread, Wish I had read it when I was in Vegas a few months ago.
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2007 Jeep Green Limited 4.7 Flex Fuel, RR 2.5" 4 inch Superlift coils on rear, 1.5" Spacers, Bridgestone 265/70/17, K&N CAI, Flowmaster, Diamond Plate Locking Trunk, Blue Ox Baseplate w/D-rings, "Get Lost 4X4" Front Bumper, T-Max 9000 winch, "Get Lost rear tire carrier, 30 gal second gas tank.
Second 2007 Jeep Green Limited Leather HEMI QDII VES Uconnect Flowmaster OEM Skids Tow Package
Maybe the two will meet up soon edit: they did , I now have 2,now gave 1 away
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2006 Steel Blue 5.7L HEMI Limited 4x4 Build Date: June 9, 2006 Hour 14
Interior: Dark Slate/Light Graystone with Saddle Brown Leather Seats
Quadra-Drive II, NAV, DVD, Trailer Tow Group IV, Off-Road Group II, Remote Start, UConnect, Rear Backup
Camera, Chrome Wheels, Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, Daytime Running Lights enabled
Great Thread, Wish I had read it when I was in Vegas a few months ago.
Thanks, hopefully Vegas will still be here when you return. If you do, I'll be more than happy to show you some great scenery most tourists miss.
Also, since you're a moderator, if you feel this should be moved to another area as the other person stated, feel free. It won't hurt my feelings. I consider things off topic if they have nothing to do with Jeeps. I figured it fit more into general discussion than off topic since this is about offroading areas and destinations.
Thanks, hopefully Vegas will still be here when you return. If you do, I'll be more than happy to show you some great scenery most tourists miss.
Also, since you're a moderator, if you feel this should be moved to another area as the other person stated, feel free. It won't hurt my feelings. I consider things off topic if they have nothing to do with Jeeps. I figured it fit more into general discussion than off topic since this is about offroading areas and destinations.
__________________
2006 Steel Blue 5.7L HEMI Limited 4x4 Build Date: June 9, 2006 Hour 14
Interior: Dark Slate/Light Graystone with Saddle Brown Leather Seats
Quadra-Drive II, NAV, DVD, Trailer Tow Group IV, Off-Road Group II, Remote Start, UConnect, Rear Backup
Camera, Chrome Wheels, Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, Daytime Running Lights enabled
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