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herofix Posts: 30
4/18/2012
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Hi all,
Anyone have experience hiking to the old mines in the Chariot Canyon area? I'd like to hike down from Sunrise Highway and back in the same day, and according to a rough calculation on the CalTopo map, it's about 5 miles each way. According to this Schad article (link), the trail is "rougher and harder" than descending into Oriflamme Canyon on the truck trail. I know Darren has mentioned running through this area...is it worth checking out?
Thanks for any input. I'll likely go the first weekend in May, as I'm hoping it won't be too warm out there yet at 3600-4600 feet.
Dan
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
4/18/2012
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Check out this map http://caltopo.com/map?id=7E42
Zoom in/out as needed and wait for the layers to load. I marked two routes into Chariot that I am familiar with. One starts at the Banner store and goes into the canyon to the mines. The other starts at the Fages monument and is much longer and steeper but more scenic. The Fages route is about 5-6 miles each way and the Banner route is about 2.5-3 miles each way. Personally I would say take the Banner route if you just want to see the mines and not spend all day hiking up/down fire roads drinking lots of water. From the Banner store you will see a cattle gate you can go thru and just keep following the fire road. Both routes have some moderate to steep climbs but the Fages route will be longer and more scenic with views of the desert.
I can't say I have checked out the mines, I was always in a race trying to cover a 100 miles in under the 30 hour time limit..but they always did look pretty cool.
Let us know how it goes.
Daren
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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herofix Posts: 30
4/19/2012
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Excellent! Thanks very much for the detailed map and advice. I'll definitely take the Banner route, as it's shorter and definitely sounds easier. I'll definitely post a TR when I return.
Thanks again.
Dan
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
4/19/2012
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Not to thread hijack but I have finally started using Caltopo. it is amazing! thanks for the tip Daren,
Will look forward to reading about your TR Dan.
Bob
dsefcik wrote:
Check out this map http://caltopo.com/map?id=7E42 ...
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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herofix Posts: 30
4/19/2012
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No worries...that CalTopo site is indeed very cool. I plan on downloading a copy of the map to Google Earth to take along.
Dan
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
4/19/2012
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surfponto wrote:
Not to thread hijack but I have finally started using Caltopo. it is amazing! thanks for the tip Daren,
Thanks but the credit goes to mrkmc..he first posted about it.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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anutami Posts: 491
4/22/2012
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I have checked out the mines just driving by and I think they are all on private property. The ready relief mine if cut out through solid granite so I think it is one of the only ones that is still accessible (again on private property). I have always wanted to check them out but too scared to get in trouble. The golden chariot mine I believe is still operational. If you check them out would love to hear about it. A mine that is accessible is the Warlock mine, it is said to be sealed up, but I checked it out in September and is accessible. The mine goes back a staggering 1600 feet. I only ventured in a bit w/ the kids. If you want directions let me know. You access it through a trail on the east side of Julian via the original banner road (they used to collect a toll)
warlock mine/ used to be stocked w/ rations during during the cold war and doubled as a fallout shelter, so this mine is pretty safe to venture in
caved in mine along the original "banner road"
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
4/22/2012
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I do remember a lot of private property signs as we went the chariot canyon. I would also like to see any reports of the mines..but be safe!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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herofix Posts: 30
4/23/2012
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Don't worry about me...last thing I want is to encounter some dusty prospector with a shotgun thinking I'm there to steal his gold! 
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
4/23/2012
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Remember when this happened? Here is a short article from the LA times from 1989. Good reason to stay off someone's claim.
"After days of investigating in almost total silence a shoot-out between two bands of gold miners on the outskirts of Julian, authorities Friday released a detailed account--as told by the survivors--describing hostile exchanges between the groups that preceded a staccato burst of gunfire that left two men dead.
Sheriff's deputies investigating the Memorial Day shooting, which occurred 6 miles east of Julian, revealed that the dueling groups--an East County family and two Julian men--were both heavily armed with weapons, including an AK-47 semiautomatic assault rifle, shotguns and high-powered rifles."
The guy that shot and killed the two was not charged... self defense.
David
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