Quick Silver & Hantavirus < on 3/26/2010 5:54 PM >
The community was established to support the mine, which mainly extracted mercury, since cinnabar was abundant in the local rock formations. The history of mercury mining at the location begins in 1854. At one time, the New Idria mines were America's second most productive mines, with the New Almaden mines in the vicinity of San Jose, about 82 miles (132 km) northwest, being the first.
The discovery of mercury ore at New Idria came soon after the discovery of gold in the Sierra foothills, which began the California gold rush. At that time, mercury was a key component in extracting gold from gold ore. Before New Idria and New Almaden, the mercury came almost exclusively from Europe.
The New Idria Mining Company was formed soon after the discovery of cinnabar (quicksilver ore) in the southern Diablo Range of central California in 1854. The town of New Idria began around 1857 and about 300 men were employed at the mine by 1861. The first school opened in 1867 and the New Idria Post Office opened in 1869, with Edward A. Morse as the first postmaster. In 1894, the New Idria Post Office dropped the word "New" and the town become known as Idria The New Idria Quicksilver Mining Company closed in 1972 and the town has since become a ghost town.
New Idria is a California Historical Landmark (#324)and home of the world’s first Gould Rotary Furnace, which revolutionized ore processing technology worldwide. From wikipedia
Last weekend went to New Idria with bo2krocketman,Max13 & his GF. We also met up with Trumper & his group of motorcyclists. With his 12, our 5 & the 3+ other groups, there were about 30 people total. It was a great day. Low 70's & the wild flowers are in full bloom. The road is a bit rough and Id recommend a 4x4 but not necessary. Here is a video from the road by Trumper
Give you a taste of the adventure it is to get there. Here are our pix. For the rest
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Don't forget ur respirators [last edit 3/26/2010 6:00 PM by bonnie&clyde - edited 1 times] The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?
It was not fun to walk thru 4 inches of rat crap. But none the less it was hella fun. All tho trying to fallow u down a one lane road at 60 in a 3/4 ton diesel truck was kinda hard. But we made it none the less. To bad bo2krocketman forgot his memory chip for half the time.
This place is sooooooo up my alley. All the goods packed into one spot. Was the shaft still open? DrrJones: you did a thread there about a year ago right?
Most of UE peeps I know are North Eastern explorers, but rarely do I see southwest reference here. I've been to a couple workshops out here specific to night photography and just wanted to point out here are both TONs of explorable places and the introduction of night photography to me in particular, adds a whole new element.
Some people on here have heard of Troy Paiva ... and I just wanted to throw his stuff out there, with a couple images (not trying to self-promote here) that came about from my visit out to Southern California - both images below are mine.
My last note ... must have a car, and expect a LOT of driving if you come to the southwest. No way of getting around the VASTNESS of the southwest, for sure.
My 2c. [last edit 3/26/2010 7:54 PM by Buffalonian - edited 1 times] I cream, you cream, we all cream for .. white spooge.
Re: Quick Silver & Hantavirus <Reply # 7 on 3/28/2010 4:21 AM >
It's well past time that you guys stop ragging on your own photos (reference to earlier posts)- whichever of you (or both) is shooting is getting pretty darn good. Y'all are making me miss the wild west. Looks like a great time. Awesome video too.
Re: Quick Silver & Hantavirus <Reply # 8 on 3/28/2010 7:48 AM >
Posted by company_man It's well past time that you guys stop ragging on your own photos (reference to earlier posts)- whichever of you (or both) is shooting is getting pretty darn good. Y'all are making me miss the wild west. Looks like a great time. Awesome video too.
Its both. There amazing and they get really good spot's. You should come back if you miss it so much. Lets go adventure. It will be fun.
Posted by mesomewierdo So am I alone in wondering about the cases of windex and salad dressing? Sounds like a party!
Dude those are supposed to be ranch. And there black. But i guess thats what happens after 20 years. But we were wondering if the windex would still be good. I say yes my friend says no. Ehhh guess ill just wonder.
Re: Quick Silver & Hantavirus <Reply # 14 on 3/30/2010 8:06 AM >
great vid, killer roads! Bonnie&Clyde: I thought you only had minis?
I thought I saw an XS650 in there at 4:15? Did someone drive that or was it abandoned?
Looks like I need to take a motorcycle trip there soon. -free [last edit 3/30/2010 8:09 AM by freeside - edited 1 times]
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Re: Quick Silver & Hantavirus <Reply # 15 on 3/30/2010 11:39 AM >
Posted by freeside I thought I saw an XS650 in there at 4:15?
I remember those days; the XS650 Special from Yamaha. Got one in Jr High from a friend's backyard (lived in hickville near Morgan Hill), and restored the exterior. She looked beautiful, but her engine was frozen. Chrome-polished rims/bars/engine, rebuilt head/tail lamps, restored wheels/tires, fixed gas tank, etc. Thought for the longest time she was a 650 when I looked her up online with my 33.6 modem. Two years later, I found the serial number...
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It was a Y33 (Y33-507709 if my memory serves me right). All that time researching only to be downsized to a Y33. So I sold it to a guy for $20. -- Wish I still had it. Oh well, live and learn...
(have a pic of it at home in our family photo album. remember those? photo albums. heh) Going where others can't...
Posted by freeside great vid, killer roads! Bonnie&Clyde: I thought you only had minis?
I thought I saw an XS650 in there at 4:15? Did someone drive that or was it abandoned?
Looks like I need to take a motorcycle trip there soon. -free
That is Trumper & his friends on the bikes. He shot that video from his helmet cam. We went in my truck, but I do have a Honda XR600R Street plated. The one every one is posing on is part of the landscape.
I had a fast game of chess with the ghosts when I was in that chair (and I left the ball for you...).
Hahaha!
click to view
Noted: We both have good taste in P100 respirators to avoid that Hanta Virus! [last edit 4/1/2010 11:47 PM by Trumper - edited 1 times] Kill all paranoids!
Re: Quick Silver & Hantavirus <Reply # 19 on 4/2/2010 6:30 AM >
LOVE the room of shoes. If i am ever near San Jose i will for sure check this place out! I love how that Dino keeps getting into ur pix! U should have named him/her.
order your copy of Access All Areas today!
sock
All that time researching only to be downsized to a Y33. So I sold it to a guy for $20. -- Wish I still had it. Oh well, live and learn...
