Mining Lore, Saltlovers and Snake Tales
On the quest for wildflowers, I took an old mining trail across from Walker Lake to see what might be blooming in the area. With the lighting so unpredictable, I decided to leave around noon when the sun should be dropping behind the mountains to the west.
On the lower elevation of the trail, I noticed the absence of any wildflowers other than an occasional bush that was just starting to bloom. Many of the bushes or shrubs in the Great Basin Desert have adapted to the lack of moisture by either eliminating leaves and replacing them with thorns or reducing the size to eliminate transpiration (loss of water through evaporation).
The rocky, dirt trail zigzags through canyons and across slopes. Along the way, the landscape is accented with rabbit bush and sage that are in the first stages of blooming.
The Halogeton plant or Saltlover is thriving in the saline soil and gives the ground a green appearance. It is an invasive, noxious weed that is poisonous to livestock, especially sheep and grows well where the soil has been disturbed. But maybe more on this plant in a separate post.
Climbing higher on the narrow path, I ascend to 5,404 feet (1,647 m) before reaching the mine that sits precariously in the side of a tall mountain. The trail is barely wide enough for my CJ-7 Jeep and thank goodness there is a turn-around just past the mine entrance. The soil appeared to be solid on the outside edge of the trail but there were plenty of large rocks to dodge to keep the tires from slipping.
A weathered sign that had seen its share of bullets warned of danger from blasting and falling rocks. Today the greatest danger could be from falling rocks, but more likely bites from rattlesnakes that might be using the deserted mine as their den.
The mine has 3 entrances and two are still open. The one on the left appears to be filled in. Rumor has it that the miner, his mule and a fortune in gold were sealed off when some dynamite accidentally discharged inside the mine. Although this is an intriguing story from what I could find on the Internet, the mine was the Slim Picking Claim that was mining for tungsten.
Going in for a closer view, wooden beams that reinforced the tunnels are still standing at the entrances. The larger opening would be easy to walk in but I'm not that curious. Abandoned mines can be dangerous and this area is prone to earthquakes.
I decide to leave any mine exploring to my imagination and get back on track with the wildflower venture. For whatever reason, the soil around this mine is just not conducive to flowering plants.
As I was driving away from the mine's entrance, I noticed a Gopher Snake resting in the shade along the narrow bank of the trail. Fearing that I might frighten it off, I quietly grabbed my camera. However, I didn't have to worry because the snake was stretched out with a big budge in its belly from its last meal.
Since I have devoted so much space in this post to my time at the mine, I have decided to make this into a two-parter, so please check back and see what interesting plants and wildflowers I did find after leaving the mine.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
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"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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