Over by the dam that forms the lake, water was trickling over the top as opposed to the heavy rush of water from a few days ago.
And below the dam the water flowed down Lynx Creek, on its way toward the Agua Fria River.
In the early 1890's, there was a hydraulic mining operation in this canyon. Water was pumped uphill through this pipe to wash gold from the sediment in the Bradshaw Mountain foothills down to be separated.
A closer look at the pipe today revealed animal tracks. Racoon, perhaps. Something was apparently using the pipe as a bridge through the canyon.
Lynx Creek is called the mother lode of Arizona gold mining and panners are at the creek every day trying for that one big find. I now live within about two miles of the creek and go into the city across a bridge where cars are parked along both sides of the road every day; their occupants down below on the creek with their pans and their hopes and dreams.
As for me, I just love the sound of the falling water at the dam.
Good job reporting on a local place of interest. The people selling gold pans are probably the ones making the most money. My last two home towns have been cities founded on gold - Prescott and Juneau.
ReplyDeleteGold fever is a terrible thing. I had relatives who lost everything in a gold mining venture. I imagine the lust for gold is like a drug.
ReplyDeleteYea, that is a good sound. Hypnotic almost. Glad you were careful getting the shots of the tracks on the pipe.
ReplyDeleteThose old knees and ankles are as "sure" as they used to be. Careful there old boy!
should have said "…are NOT as sure…"
DeleteHa-ha! I took the picture leaning over a very secure bridge. No sweat. But thanks for thinking of me, youngster! :^)
DeleteSo it's either playing lotto or gold panning... we tried both and stopped a long time ago:-)
ReplyDeleteA skunk??
I like Nr 3 and video too/
I knew a couple gold miners in Alaska, years ago. Mostly they were sluice miners, a few panned. An odd group, secretive to the extreme, you didn't want to wander into their claim area hiking.
ReplyDeleteSnowing here as I write.