October 21, 2017 Field Trip – Clipper Mine
We will be exploring the tailings pile of the abandoned Clipper Mine out past Carbonado in Pierce County. We will be looking for Copper, Azurite and Chrysacolla.
Meet at the Rosie’s IGA Market (closed) behind the Chevron Station, 29393 WA-410, Buckley, WA 98321
Our Field trip guide is Tony Johnson (253-863-9238). The group will leave promptly at 9 am. So don’t be late.
You will need hand tools: hand pick, small shovel, scoop, plastic bucket or backpack. Sturdy hiking shoes. It’s an easy 1/4 mile hike with slight elevation from the road to the mine.
We will NOT be entering the mine as it’s too dangerous. Rock hunting confined to the tailings pile only as it still has a lot of good stuff in it. The kids will also enjoy climbing up and down the pile looking for rocks.
If it has not been raining it can be a little muddy when hiking to the site as we cross a couple of very small creeks. If it has been raining it will definitely be muddy along the way.
We did this field trip last year and it was so much fun. Everyone went home with something.
A little bit of history on the Clipper Mine:
The Clipper mine is located in the Carbon River Mining District of Pierce County WA at an elevation of 3823 feet. The first discoveries in the district were around 1898. The Clipper was part of the Surprise group of claims dating to around 1901. The Leola Mining Company drove the Clipper tunnel using three shifts of men. They were following a lead copper ore vein that at the opening was a 15 inch width and eventually grew to a 15 foot vein. Assays showed $43 a ton in copper, silver, and gold after 380 feet of tunnel had been run.
The Clipper mine had also been known by the name Mother’s Day mine at some point in it’s history as well. The workings of the mine consist of 1200 feet of tunnel with several short crosscuts or horizontal branches.
Here is a link to the website with pictures. http://www.ghosttownsofwashington.com/clipper-mine.html