New Idria / Clear Creek...Another Completed Adventure

[Skillet]

Moved it myself. :ylsmoke:

Well, we headed out to show my GF a very cool place not far from my home.

Old mining town called New Idria. http://www.new-idria.org/

Actually, a ghost town now with some strange (The Hills Have Eyes) people living around the fringes. Kind of creepy but cool nonetheless.

The local mines produced cinnabar which is the raw ore that produces Methyl Mercury when heated. http://webmineral.com/data/Cinnabar.shtml

They also mined naturally occurring asbestos which is everywhere so you should only really go there when the ground is damp and there is no dust.

There is a semi-precious stone called Benitoite which is really only found there. http://webmineral.com/data/Benitoite.shtml
There are still some old miners with claims working the area for this stone.
You can buy some of this stone at a local bar called Panoche Inn, about 30 miles up the road.

Anyway, it is sort of a big boy's (and girl's) play ground. The BLM area neighboring the town is called Clear Creek and you can ride dirtbikes, off-road vehicles, shoot, hunt and play in one of the many open mine shafts.
If you get in the backwoods on a bike, you can find old mining claims, homsteads and cinnnabar ovens along with many old relics.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/hollister/clea...ment_area.html

Dangerous and not for kids.

Here are some pics of the various "attractions".

 

[Skillet]

It should be noted that the Sierra Club, amongst others, have been trying to shut down Clear Creek for years, they may do it, so if you want to check it out via dirtbike or OHV, better get there fairly soon.

Few more pics...

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Great pictures!:safari-rig:

 

[Scott Brady]

The town looks to be in great shape. The condition of those little houses is impressive.

Thanks for posting about the trip, as it is great to learn about these little known locations.

 

[Skillet]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Great pictures!:safari-rig:

Thanks!

Do you like the wannabe pictographs?

I thought that was hilarious.

 

[blupaddler]

Welcome home!

Nice pics. It almost looks like a scene from the Twilight Zone...

 

[Skillet]

Welcome home!

Nice pics. It almost looks like a scene from the Twilight Zone...

Thanks.

Feels like the "Zone" when you are there too.

Very strange place, a lot of "energy" around there.

It is one of those places where your cell phone goes dead in like 5 minutes on standby, even with a full charge.

Bizarroooooooo!

 

[slooowr6]

Thanks for posting the info, the place is close enough to go check it out. The town looks.............. interesting...

 

[Skillet]

The town looks.............. interesting...

To say the least.

My GF did not believe me when I tried to explain it to her so I had to drag her out there.

Funny thing is, she is from King City, only about 20 miles from there, and she never knew it existed.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

sounds like cisco. somewhere between cool and creepy.

 

[slooowr6]

sounds like cisco. somewhere between cool and creepy.

[hijack]
care to explain a little? I don't think cisco is cool but creepy? I would think it's more of dorky.
[/hijack]

 

[Highwaystar]

That looks like a great adventure. Very cool pics :ylsmoke:

 

[articulate]

Skillet, I don't know what that name means, but gawl dang! You sure can cook up some cool trips and photos.

Thanks.

 

[Skillet]

Skillet, I don't know what that name means, but gawl dang! You sure can cook up some cool trips and photos.

Thanks.

Well, my pleasure. Thanks for your support.

To quote my GF..."Are you taking ANOTHER picture?"

 

[OnTheTrail]

I love going to Clear Creek also. But I have never stopped in that town. It's how horror movies start.

Clear Creek will remain open but the BLM is considering charging a day fee and they now have a ranger station at the entrance from Los gatos Rd.