Thursday, March 17, 2016

Mar 16 Big Creek Gold Mines


The Big Creek area of the Uwharrie National Forest is not visited much except by gold panners. Its common to see a car or two parked here but there aren't many hikers or other sightseers. The parking area is quite sketchy. The creek crossings aren't easy and the forest service has fenced or gated off many of the spots that just look too enticing for thrill seekers to venture into.

This was an area of serious hard rock mining. So serious in fact, a huge stone structure was built here. I don't know the specific purpose but guess it had something to do with gold mining.


A couple of the hard rock shafts have bars over them preventing entry. Steep rocky terrain where mining took place is also treacherous. An entire mining area of pits and shafts is barricaded off with welded metal railing. 

Massive lower and upper walls are visible


The stone structure is massive and the most impressive structure I've seen in the Uwharrie national Forest.



Bloodroot in bloom

It is not what you think



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