Entering the Copper Mines
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Entering the Copper Mines
Is this forbidden? Alot of you talk as if you visit them regularly. I was just curious. I'm well aware this could be dangerous and such. I was just wondering if hikers tend to explore them.
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Mandolynn
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Re: Entering the Copper Mines
The sites I've seen in the Rock Harbor area are just big collapsed sink holes, very boring to me.
The mine site by McCargoe Cove is much more impressive, but I don't recall that there's much of a shaft to explore. I went there on an evening hike from McCargoe with friends who were more interested in the views from the ridge so we didn't spend much time there. I recall something more like a cave than a tunnel. There were some old rail tracks and a huge mound of tailings where I had an interesting encounter with a mama fox and her kits. I'm sure there are others who can tell you more and that there are other mine sites on the island besides these.
The mine site by McCargoe Cove is much more impressive, but I don't recall that there's much of a shaft to explore. I went there on an evening hike from McCargoe with friends who were more interested in the views from the ridge so we didn't spend much time there. I recall something more like a cave than a tunnel. There were some old rail tracks and a huge mound of tailings where I had an interesting encounter with a mama fox and her kits. I'm sure there are others who can tell you more and that there are other mine sites on the island besides these.
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WaCoTS
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Re: Entering the Copper Mines
list of some mine sites on the Isle:
http://www.mindat.org/lsearch.php?from= ... ional+Park
there are no coordinates listed for those, but if you look on DNR topo maps many are shown (how exact they are plotted is up for speculation), and ive managed to mark most of them on my Google Earth. Panoramio shows some pictures people have taken of a few mines as well.
ive explored around many of the old mines of the Keweenaw just out of academic interest, and have recently begun looking more closely at Isle Royale. have still never been to the Isle, due to budget/scheduling difficulties, but a trip may be finally looming in the next year.
has anyone here really checked out I.R. copper mines? i notice most of them are far away from the established trails, so it almost makes me think that theyre rarely visited if ever. i love a good bushwack, myself.
ALSO--is there any decent book out there that deals with the history of the I.R. mines? i've seen a few titles on Amazon, but theyre all out of stock or out of print
http://www.mindat.org/lsearch.php?from= ... ional+Park
there are no coordinates listed for those, but if you look on DNR topo maps many are shown (how exact they are plotted is up for speculation), and ive managed to mark most of them on my Google Earth. Panoramio shows some pictures people have taken of a few mines as well.
ive explored around many of the old mines of the Keweenaw just out of academic interest, and have recently begun looking more closely at Isle Royale. have still never been to the Isle, due to budget/scheduling difficulties, but a trip may be finally looming in the next year.
has anyone here really checked out I.R. copper mines? i notice most of them are far away from the established trails, so it almost makes me think that theyre rarely visited if ever. i love a good bushwack, myself.
ALSO--is there any decent book out there that deals with the history of the I.R. mines? i've seen a few titles on Amazon, but theyre all out of stock or out of print
Last edited by WaCoTS on Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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WaCoTS
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Re: Entering the Copper Mines
actually, considering how the Forest Service has recently wiped out / capped all the old shafts on the Norwich Bluff in Ontonagon County, i am very surprised to learn that there are any open mines to be found on the Isle at all! 
Re: Entering the Copper Mines
Being a designated wilderness they tend to try "security by obscurity" rather than concrete and steel. At least one of the old pit mines has a rotted wooden fence around it as I recall.WaCoTS wrote:actually, considering how the Forest Service has recently wiped out / capped all the old shafts on the Norwich Bluff in Ontonagon County, i am very surprised to learn that there are any open mines to be found on the Isle at all!
Bob
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Re: Entering the Copper Mines
You could try emailing Professor Bill Rose at Michigan Tech (raman@mtu.edu) for recommendations.WaCoTS wrote: ALSO--is there any decent book out there that deals with the history of the I.R. mines? i've seen a few titles on Amazon, but theyre all out of stock or out of print
Also, try Interlibrary Loan at your local public library to get some of the out-of-print titles.
Bob
My leatherwork is available through my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BirchCreekLeather
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fonixmunkee
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Re: Entering the Copper Mines
I've been to the mines near McCargoe, Island Mine, and 5 Mile (west of Rock Harbor). Essentially, if the mine is accessible and you exercise some caution, you can enter and explore. The ones they don't want you in are usually fenced off (such as the vertical shafts that one could fall in).
The most interesting one I've been to is in McCargoe. There's some vertical shafts (two fenced off, one filled with water), and then a horizontal shaft that's very fun to crawl around in. Then there are some open-pit mines that are easily accessible. But it's the cool, old mining stuff left behind that's really neat, including some out buildings, rail carts, equipment, huge tailing piles, and some railway that leads to the cove where the stamping mill is. Here's some pictures from the McCargoe mine: https://picasaweb.google.com/fonixmunke ... eJune2009#
The Island Mine is similar to the McCargoe mine, although the shafts and pits are not as expansive. But there's a lot of old mining equipment, including a full locomotive. You can see those pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/fonixmunke ... eJune2007#
The mine by 5 Mile near Rock Harbor is the least eventful, in my experience. I don't even have any pictures of it.
Hope that answers your questions.
The most interesting one I've been to is in McCargoe. There's some vertical shafts (two fenced off, one filled with water), and then a horizontal shaft that's very fun to crawl around in. Then there are some open-pit mines that are easily accessible. But it's the cool, old mining stuff left behind that's really neat, including some out buildings, rail carts, equipment, huge tailing piles, and some railway that leads to the cove where the stamping mill is. Here's some pictures from the McCargoe mine: https://picasaweb.google.com/fonixmunke ... eJune2009#
The Island Mine is similar to the McCargoe mine, although the shafts and pits are not as expansive. But there's a lot of old mining equipment, including a full locomotive. You can see those pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/fonixmunke ... eJune2007#
The mine by 5 Mile near Rock Harbor is the least eventful, in my experience. I don't even have any pictures of it.
Hope that answers your questions.
