Iota Mine (Stemwinder)

[trikebubble]

Went camping at Pickard Creek Forest Site on the Similkameen a couple weeks ago and decided to go exploring (of course).

We went looking for the Iota Mine up Stemwinder FSR and found a single vertical shaft and the remnants of an old cabin. The best part was the view from the meadows. We could look over and down on the Mascot Mine, up the Similkameen Valley, as well as over to the mountain ranges in the distance.

It was pretty easy to locate, using the minfile co-ordinates on the gps and a map from a friend. Looks like a great spot to camp some evening and stare up at the stars.

The only actual mine iste we found, I believe their are others but we couldn't locate them.




The Wife, playing her best Annie Oakley


Not sure of the mountain range, anyone know?


All that is left of the old cabin we found


Welcoming commitee chairman


The trusty little Red Jeep

[240 Jordy]

Nice post but you should have hidden a geocache there for us to go find . . . LOL!

I've offten thought there would be some old relics up that way but have never made the time to go explore.

What kind of shotie is the wife packin these days? I just picked up a new Winchester X Defender.

[trikebubble]

Nice post but you should have hidden a geocache there for us to go find . . . LOL!

I've offten thought there would be some old relics up that way but have never made the time to go explore.

What kind of shotie is the wife packin these days? I just picked up a new Winchester X Defender.

Tell me about it. We're driving up there across the meadow and all of sudden it came to me. We even have a geocache alreayd made up at home.....and of course didn't think to bring it.

I bought a Norinco 12.5" 12-gauge. It's a nice compact little piece that I figured would be good for packing around. It is the exact same unit as the Dominion Arms Grizzly, which was made by Norinco....they apparantly figured they would start also selling them under their own name. I've got a Hogue overmolded short stock and forend coming in the mail. It's a hoot to shoot.

We did make an attempt to hike up to Gold Mtn. but it was getting pretty hot in the afternoon and the dog was having a tough time with the incline. We found a tailings pile in a little valley but did not continue over to the mine area. I need to head back there at some point, and maybe just drive up.

[fonetikal]

Those buildings across the valley, is there a way in to them? Doesn't look like very friendly terrain for building a road, but they had to get there somehow...

[trikebubble]

Those buildings across the valley, is there a way in to them? Doesn't look like very friendly terrain for building a road, but they had to get there somehow...

That is the Mascot Mine.
http://www.mascotmine.com/
I heard a rumor that the tour company isn't operating, but you should confirm that. We've taken the tour twice and it is fantastic. Well worth it. You can't (legally) explore the Mascot Mine on your own.

[Lone Ranger]

Stemwinder is an amazing gem of a road. The scenery is awesome, and the climb is as dramatic as the Nickleplate Rd. The last time I was up there was probably 15 years ago, used to deer hunt up there with my dad. We first explored it about 20 years ago on our dirtbikes, and probably have one of the funniest memories from that of my mom mowing through a fresh cow patty on her Honda CT70 and freaking out cause her back was covered in cow shit! God that made me laugh, probably because we were fighting about something else anyways and karma's a bitch.

We never really did find much of anything interesting up there besides the view, but the meadows are great to wander through. Very scenic. LR

[lars]

Tell me about it. We're driving up there across the meadow and all of sudden it came to me. We even have a geocache alreayd made up at home.....and of course didn't think to bring it.

I bought a Norinco 12.5" 12-gauge.

What's the price on that? Are the Noricos any good? I know they used to make somewhat decent M14 copies, so I'm guessing their shotguns are good. What action is it based on? 870?

We did make an attempt to hike up to Gold Mtn. but it was getting pretty hot in the afternoon and the dog was having a tough time with the incline. We found a tailings pile in a little valley but did not continue over to the mine area. I need to head back there at some point, and maybe just drive up.

Can you tell us more about Gold Mtn?

...lars

[trikebubble]

What's the price on that? Are the Noricos any good? I know they used to make somewhat decent M14 copies, so I'm guessing their shotguns are good. What action is it based on? 870?


Can you tell us more about Gold Mtn?

...lars

I really like the shotgun. It's my first firearm so I am not really commenting from a point of experiance. It is the exact same unit as the Dominion Arms Grizzly which seems to get very favorable reviews. Apparantly they (Norinco) are just producing it under their own name now as well. It is an 870 clone. I am 1/2 way through putting the hogue stock and forend on, which should lighten it up a bit. I bought it basically for "predator control" as they say. It is fun to shoot, and seems pretty accurate with slugs. The wife really loves blasting away with it as well. I've since picked up an SKS which is even more fun. My RPAL showed up a couple months ago, so now I find myself peeking at handguns as well.

I don't know much more about Gold Mtn. other than what I've read on the Minfile site. Their was a mill and processing plant built for it, and a railroad spur line along the Similkameen as well, so that should tell a tale of a fairly prosperous mine at some point. I do have to get back up there soon I think.