The Great Adventures of the Yamaha Viking VI
09-May-21

Group:
  1. Yamaha Viking VI: Gary and Gnettie Eisert
  2. Polaris 2 Seater: Mike Gruenthaner
  3. Polaris 2 Seater: Bob Symns and Cammy
This is the second time we trailered the Yamaha. We took it to the staging area for the Solar Observatory, but instead thought we would explore the mines we found on the 3d of May.
The scenery was incredible. we have never been out in the desert this late in the spring. All the iron wood trees are in bloom. Lovely mauve blossoms covering the desert landscape.
   
Snow Ball Mine
Our first stop was to check out the Snow Ball mine again and do some metal detecting.
Basically checking out my Garret GTX-2500 and it correctly read an object down 2 inches, and quite small. It turned out ot be the end of a 3AG glass fuse.
This is a view of the workings down on the road. Nothing much left. I am guessing the ore was loaded into trucks and hauled out for processing. Mike thought the tailings looked like silver deposits. These stanchions are what is left of the major rig used to haul out the ore from the mine.
   
 
The mine shaft goes almost straight down. Yikes ! Glad I'm not a miner.  .
   
Water Tank
Our 2nd stop was to check out the watering hole.
   
 
A huge tin roof collects the water and drains it into the tanks. Then it is piped over to the drinking areas.
   
Runway
Our 3nd stop was to check out the runway. Our neighbors lovingly call this the "Alaska Strip" and use it to practice.
Just coming into view. As you can see it is long and wide.
   
Rainbow Mine
Our 4th stop was to check on the mine we visited on 03-May-21. I called it the Mike and Debbie mine, but we think it may be part of the Rainbow Mine group.
Google Earth map to the mine. Strange markings around the hill that can't be made out on the ground. A video of our ride up to the mine coming in from the north.
   
The mine entrance. Bob and Gnettie climbed on down and took some pictures.
   
In the light of the flash you can see a vein of a crystal deposit. In full light. It looks like the vien of gold ran out quite quickly. But could there be another vein just a few feet over to the right or left.
   
We had lunch up a wash in the shade and sat with this beautiful view. The desert is sure inviting this time of the year. However the temps are climbing into the high 90's.