Outdoor Adventure USA

Gold Mines of Julian, California

Our net this week will explore some of the most famous and most productive gold mines of the Julian area ,including the Cuyamacas. Julian, and many towns of the western US, during the 1800s and early 1900s, can attribute their founding and growth to the discovery of gold. Unlike many of these towns of the past however, Julian is still vibrant and a popular area to call home. Its also a great vacation destination.

Julian is located east of San Diego and adjacent to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Julian's origin began during in the gold rush days of the late 1800's and remnants of these mines still exist today. Surprisingly, many of the mines and their equipment are in quite good condition and this is one of the most fascinating things about this area. Today, the adventurous traveler can still see the evidence of the amazing efforts that men went to in an effort to "strike it rich".

For those who are interested in getting a more in depth history of the Julian and Cuyamaca gold boom, there is a great book authored by Leland Fetzer entitled, "A Good Camp". Mr. Fetzer has compiled some terrific old photos and combined them with a history of the most productive mines of this area. The book is available at Sunbelt Publications (https://sunbeltpublications.com/shop/good-camp/) and worth every penny. Incidentally, Sunbelt is an excellent source for wonderful books and other publications on outdoor adventures.

https://www.nrafamily.org/content/how-a ... newsletter

There is something magical—even jaw-dropping—about watching a good pistol shooter put a bullet in the middle of the target at 25 yards, 50 yards or longer! To have that lifetime of fun with firearms, you FIRST must ALWAYS follow the NRA’s Gun Safety Rules. The NRA’s Gun Safety Rules are simple, easy to follow and will keep you out of trouble.

Rule No. 1: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. If the gun is always pointed in a safe direction and you pull the trigger by accident or the gun malfunctions and fires, no one will get injured. Property damage is embarrassing and costly, but is better than someone being injured.

This rule also includes guns used in training exercises. How you train has a direct effect on how you perform! Rules 2 and 3 give you a great deal of flexibility depending on whether you are shooting recreational or conventional pistol, or hunting.

Rule No. 2: ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Examples are: A recreational shooter gets their grip with their trigger finger straight and outside the trigger guard. As the recreational shooter raises the pistol to the target, their trigger finger moves inside the trigger guard and starts taking up the slack in the trigger. When the recreational shooter lowers the pistol, their trigger finger is moved outside the trigger guard and placed alongside the pistol. A conventional pistol shooter (shooting only using one hand) gets their grip with their trigger finger inside the trigger guard.

Like the recreational, the conventional shooter is taking up the slack in the trigger when they raise the pistol and starting their trigger pull as they settle towards the target to maximize breath and hold control. The difference between the two is that when the conventional shooter lowers the pistol, they keep their finger in contact with the trigger.

Rule No. 3: ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. "Use" is directly related to how you are planning to use your firearm. Examples are that recreational and conventional pistol shooters will load after the command to load is given by the range officer. A hunter loads according to the state’s hunting regulations. A person carrying concealed loads before they leave home, so their firearm is ready to use in an emergency.

Next week: 8 Gun Safety Rules You May Not Have Heard Of Gun safety goes well beyond the "Big Three."

https://www.nrafamily.org/content/8-gun ... -heard-of/

There are many areas in and near Julian and the Cuyamacas that still retain some of the original of the mining operations of the past, but are difficult or impossible to visit, either due to being located on private property or the difficulty in making it to the sites. But for the adventurous explorer, there are still some great examples left to see.

In past Borrego Fest events, I organized a mine tour that included some of the most well preserved sites, the top gold producers, and mines with unique features. With one exception, they were all on fenced off private property , and our visit was with the permission of the respective land owners.

Once I secured the necessary permissions, the greatest aid to discovery of the mines was USGS topo maps.

Overview - Working Conditions



1. RANCHITA MINE


The Ranchita Mine(circa 1870)

Source: A good Camp, Leland Fetzer
The San Diego Historical Society Photograph Collection


The Ranchita today


Credits


Chris


Lee Fetzer


Ranchita equipment and mining pictures




2. READY RELIEF MINE

Ready relief Mine (circa early 1900s)


Lee Fetzer at the Ready Relief Mine


Ready Ready Mine Today



3. NORTH HUBBARD MINE


4. GOLDEN SUGAR MINE

5. GOLDEN CHARIOT MINE

The Golden Chariot Mine was the second largest gold producer of the Julian area, and was the last mine that we were very fortunate able to add to our tours. The extent to which the mine and all its equipment dates back to the early days of its operation is quite impressive, and the number of pictures below includes both old (and sometimes original equipment) as well as newer equipment. The result is several photographs reflecting the current state of the mine. reflects this. This discovery comes with a surprise. More on the Net.

Golden Chariot Mine Then(circa early 1900s)


Golden Chariot Mine Today


Credits - Lee Fetzer



Shakers



A Classic Dissolving Into History


Powder Room


Main Mine Entrance and Tower For Lowering and Raising Equipment and Miners


Old and Abandoned Machinery

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WD6USA