Reconnaissance Mission to Ghost Town

[William-NM]

I headed up to a semi-ghost town named Fierro today. A friend had mentioned that there is a little chapel with a picnic grove near it. The chapel and picnic area was a bust, looks like more drinkin' & shooting going on than praying. I did take a hike around the grounds, though, and found several collapsed miner shacks. There had been heavy mining activity on the site at some point, and it looked like a settler lived there earlier from the ranch fencing. It was so iron infested that it was almost impossible to hunt. I did find some bottle and can dumps, looked like from the 40s & 50s. It was HOT, and I forgot to bring water, so didn't last too long.

However, on the way home I checked out some old tumble down miners homes, did a quick sniff around one, and found the sweet copper brooch and hand garden implement.in a few minutes hunting. I'll head back up there soon with a cooler and sunscreen. It's apparent that the local hunters and partiers make free use of the old adobes, so I'm no longer hesitant to hunt around them. There used to be a rail line up to the Iron mine there, out of use for a few decades, but they're laying new track now, so I guess they're re-opening the mine. They recently re-opened the giant Chino copper mine nearby, hired 600 men for that one, so I think I'll make hay while the sun shines, and get some swingin' in. The Chino mine has been worked since the Indians told the Spanish about it in the 1700s. The hole is about big enough to fit New York City in. I'll add a few pics of the area, finishing up with a scary open shaft behind one of the ruins. Gotta watch your step around here. And, the bunny one is kind of scary, makes me think about Steven King stories.

 

[TheGeorgiaCanuck]

With that much iron you should try using the 4" coil, swing SLOOOOOW and run your sensitivity a mite lower. Listen for the good chirps among the iron growls at zero discrim.

 

[William-NM]

Good advice, GC! I need the other two coils SOOOOO bad! When the doctor's quit picking my pockets, they're at the top of the list.

 

[ralph]

If you find an area that has many similar size iron nails adjust the iron disc so the nail is just barely eliminated or gives a click or scratchy sound. This will help the machine to see masked objects next to or underneath the nails. Good luck with the doctors.

 

[Night Crawler]

You know William, more I look at that bunny picture, the more concerned I am about it.

That shaft looks very old, those bunnies don't. I relate those bunnies to children not adults. Was (or is) their "any" way you can see the bottom of that particular shaft William?

Sorry, something just isn't sitting well with me on those bunnies being so close to that shaft and also being so far away from any populated areas.

Those bunnies don't look all that old.

Thanks.

NC

 

[William-NM]

Hi Night Crawler,
No, I couldn't see the bottom. It gave me the creeps, too - maybe I shouldn't have posted it. I think I would have heard about missing kids, but I'll take a drive back up tomorrow with a powerful flashlight and put our minds at ease. I appreciate and share your concern.

 

[Night Crawler]

I'm very glad you posted it William, thanks.

If it is at all possible William to go back up, it would put my mind at ease as well.

If you can't see the bottom at all tomorrow William, might I suggest you just call the local authorities to get their opinion on what you saw up their and see how they feel about it.

It wouldn't hurt and the way I would approach it myself.

Not to get everyone all in a fenzy or anything, but just throw it by their way for an opinion that's all.

Thanks William.

NC

 

[mudpuppy]

Sure looks like something was wrapped up in that piece of yellow carpet, and set on fire on top of that hole?
Those bunnys laying there are out of place, sort of a memorial type of thing, could have been for the family dog maybe, but who would set the family dog on fire?...everthing about this picture is out of place and relatively fresh, as in a month or two... bears a look over good...way to go on the finds and the mystery!
be careful,
Mud

 

[dflan83]

Hey nice pics. looks like you have some great places to hunt. I agree with the above poster a smaller coil might serve you well and watch your step around those holes

 

[controlfreq]

William-NM:

Chalk it up to too many safety classes at work, but not knowing your capabilities and experience, I would have to advise against getting too close to that hole. It really needs to investigated by someone qualified and then sealed. I can only imagine a partier walking out in the dark to make room for more beverage and falling into that hole... definitely do not attempt it if up there alone.

... just sayn'...

John
(Paranoid flat lander from TX)

 

[John-Edmonton]

Nice finds. I like that broach. Great pics too. Kind of gets the imagination flowing of what else could be buried there.

 

[William-NM]

I'll post a few finds from today separately, but just wanted to let anyone interested know that I was able to see the bottom of the hole, about 20' - 25', and it is quite empty! Perhaps the bunnies are guardians, keeping curious children at a safe distance. Let's hear it for the bunnies!

 

[William-NM]

p.s. - I'm thinking of setting this black (Onyx? Jet?) stone from another melt pendant in this copper pin I found at the ghost town. What do you think? Would the stone look good in it? I'd have to do some work on the bezel, pretty bent up, then I'd have to 'pickle' it with Liver of Sulphur or the home brew, vinegar and salt with optional non-detergent ammonia (or ketchup- has ascetic acid (vinegar) and salt in it). I thought it might do ok on eBay as a 'Ghost Town Dig......"

Also, should I leave all the patina or polish the high points? Thanks for any opinions.

 

[Night Crawler]

Thanks for the update William.

NC