Tuesday morning found Rich, Dave, Chuck, Kevin and an 'achy' Tom ready for more excitement in Black Rock.  We were to meet up with John Derimiggio, his wife and Gerlach local Kevin Mathieu however by 9:30 they never showed so we took off for Wind Mountain, since Kevin had never been there before.

WIND MOUNTAIN
Wind Mountain (40° 25' 31.3" N 119° 23' 32.3" W) is an empty abandoned open pit gold mine on the northern tip of the Lake Range mountains running parallel with Rt447S shortly after leaving Empire. While it has a wire fence and and easy access gates there are no sign to Keep Out, nor No Trespassing signs.  There are many signs warning of Open It Mines posted all around the mine area,  The road up to the mine and into the mine can be accessed with the family car. For those interested in some really neat rocks, this is a honey hole.

The Wind Mountain mine is a deep hole on the west side of the mountain.  Each layer is about 10 to 12 feet high

Almost each layer holds a different type of rock and you can see how things moved eons ago.

A dry fall and again different rock strata.

A separate layer of folded gneiss

There are holes and voids all over the pit walls.

At one time hot water worked its way throughout the mountain.
We're not that far from the U.S. Geothermal Plant about 6 miles south.

Calcite lines all of the steam vents. This vent is home to something so be wise.

Calcite crystals can be found everywhere

Calcite comes in all flavors as well.

While calcite is common most rocks are quartz with thermally infused iron, chert and lord only knows what else.

Chuck is a quiet sort of fella and while we were all about the pit we didn't notice him collecting a stash of rocks.
These are for friends and people who visit him, especially kids. The rocks are interesting and so is Chuck.

It was getting near lunch time and since Gerlach was just up the road we headed into town for a lunch break. We visited Wind Mountain in 2019 and you can read all about it more in depth HERE .

RETURN TO TOP

WATER TUNNEL MINE
Back at Gerlach we caught up with John Derimiggio, his wife and Gerlach local Kevin Mathieu.  Tom was really feeling out of whack with his whiplash and opted to cancel what he had next on the days agenda.  John and his wife had to cancel since their vehicle wasn't up to the need and there was no extra room.  Dave had stuff to do as did Chuck.  This left Rich and Kevin Mc and possibly Kevin Mathieu but he had to help a friend get to the airport.

Rich, a plumber by trade, wanted to check out what was called the Water Tunnel Mine district (40° 44' 32.3" N 119° 26' 16.3" W). This looks to be a source for the town of Gerlach's water supply, or maybe used to be - it is. The Gerlach Water Treatment Plant is about 7 miles down Rt447S toward Gerlach on the right hand side. The treatment plant was built several years ago supposedly to purify the town's water removing impurities, one of which is uranium. This makes sense because of all the granite in the area. The best way to get to the mine area, Also known as Gerlach Springs, is to head north out of Gerlach on Rt447. Turn right at 40° 40' 51.9" N 119° 24' 16.6" W and follow the power lines north.

Upon arrival you could tell there were several eras of piping and systems used over time.  There is a large amount of wooden pipe, none of it usable, most still bound with wire.

Right off the bat we found old-time wooden water pipe.

Most of what was left was flattened but still wrapped with wire.

A more modern abandoned water pipe.

Modern PVC pipe did not seem to be active.

Another antique wooden water pipe.

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We found holes dug all about the hillside. Probably used as collecting ponds.

One of the many water collection ponds lay downhill and covered with wood. - Empty.

Lower end of the collection pond has a drain and screen.

We found the actual Water Mine with a locked steel door and hanging sampling cup.

Close up of the sample cup reveals a tag which reads:
DO NOT REMOVE -
NEVADA DIVISION OF ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION
PWS# V000007 Source SP 01

Modern metal source pipe was found but did not seem to be in service.

We found a Cistern with a man-hole cover.  You can definitely hear water running inside, it is active.

Looking back toward Gerlach. That is Granite Mountain off in the distance.  Seems like a long distance to run water but out in the desert you get water where the water is.  At least today ended with sunshine as we headed back into town in time for dinner.

We'll be back September 2020.  Plan on joining us.