Upon entering the portal I was greeted with 4 feet of icy cold water. About 25 feet inward, the water receded, and I managed to go a couple hundred feet into the abyss.
It occurred to me that I severely undercut my exploration by not wearing waders. Soaking wet and shivering, I made it about 20 minutes before my negligence forced me back out into the daylight.
This area of the San Juan Mountain Range is littered with old mining ruins and a labyrinth of untapped tunnel systems. Hopefully, before the first heavy snow, I'll make it back up with better equipment.
I did not plan on entering the workings this way. Sometimes though, the only way in, is belly-down in the muck.
Thanks for taking a look!
1.
IMG_7947 by
Patrick G, on Flickr
2.
IMG_8993 by
Patrick G, on Flickr
3.
IMG_8995 by
Patrick G, on Flickr
4.
IMG_7954 by
Patrick G, on Flickr
5.
IMG_7957 by
Patrick G, on Flickr
6.
IMG_7962 by
Patrick G, on Flickr
End. (Interesting color of growth on this piece of old timbering!)
IMG_7963 by
Patrick G, on Flickr