[pct-l] Old Mine in Hauser Canyon

[Cat Nelson]

Thank you for the history information, I always enjoy knowing more about
the areas I pass through.
Cat
"I must prepare and someday my chance will come."Abraham Lincoln
On Mar 8, 2013 6:57 PM, "Ron Graybill" <rgraybill44 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Since I'm going to be doing a lot of short section hikes, I have more time
> at home between them to research what I see.  I hiked from the Mexican
> border to Lake Morena last weekend (March 2-3, camping overnight at Mile
> 11).
>
> As a one descends on the dirt road down the south side of Hauser Canyon
> from Mile 14, one sees some erosion and white mine tailings across the the
> canyon on the north side, just to the right of Mile 16.2. (when one reaches
> Mile 16.2 one can only see a little of the erosion high up at the top of
> the site).  That was the Pacific Mine, which between 1921 and 1943 removed
> 87,000 tons of feldspar from that hillside, a major component in the
> porcelain one might find in bathtubs and sinks. Today, a retired geologist
> is analyzing those tailings and discovering that what the original miners
> discarded as waste contains rare earth elements and even gold, although any
> revival of mining operations is not likely to happen very soon, if at all.
> I have two PDF files with more details if anyone is interested in learning
> more.
>
> I realize PCT hikers are not likely to be kindly disposed to mining and
> logging in the wilderness--but it happened in Hauser Canyon, and at least I
> find it interesting to know what happened and why.
>
> Ron "Manzanita" Graybill, Riverside, CA
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