Cool Underground Tunnel and Nanaimo's Old Mine Shafts

[tony]

Was nice to meet ya too, finally put a face to all this interesting mine talk.

I would like to go up there to see some of this one day with out the little Tony JR ...lol ....

You said 4x4 trail is there a way in and did you come out at the shelter as that seems like a bit better trail then crossing the clear cut.....Tony

[dpill]

Now yer talkin', hillbilly!

I call dibs on the strappings of the coal cars, its all I need to construct my very own! I got wheels and track!

Hey one more picture that is very interesting!
I put the coordinates for Harewood mines into google earth and thats what sent me in the other direction. Im wondering how the city sealed the particular entrance where the kids were found. This one has been sealed with a concrete pad! Im thinking this was the one. Also worth noting this was in the area of the dump and there is a decent trail to follow to get here.

[GR74]

From what I understand, they blasted the furnace portal. No ones going back there again.

Yep, that's what you'll find if you're 'unlucky', a concrete plug....

What happened with the first 2 photos?

[dpill]

Was nice to meet ya too, finally put a face to all this interesting mine talk.

I would like to go up there to see some of this one day with out the little Tony JR ...lol ....

You said 4x4 trail is there a way in and did you come out at the shelter as that seems like a bit better trail then crossing the clear cut.....Tony

Haha well tony I have some exploring to around there still it has been so fascinating!
What shelter do you mean?
I dont think the trail will get you to the mines though. Something we can try out soon!

[dpill]

Now yer talkin', hillbilly!

I call dibs on the strappings of the coal cars, its all I need to construct my very own! I got wheels and track!

I figure if we combed around we might find something. Whats your take on that picture? It looked similar to the heavy duty coal car you found earlier in the thread!
Its really thin metal though but like you said the deterioration is giving its age away

[GR74]

I figure if we combed around we might find something. Whats your take on that picture? It looked similar to the heavy duty coal car you found earlier in the thread!
Its really thin metal though but like you said the deterioration is giving its age away

I'm not sure the sheet metal is part of a coal car because you're more likely to find a bucket like the one I saw in Granby. There's a lot of old car parts laying around there, so it could be something from that. You'd definately see a full bucket if it was a heavy duty coal car.... Most coal cars were made of wood and had steel straps to hold them together. From what I understand, all you'll find from those wooden coal cars would be wheels and metal straps as the wood has deteriorated. Just one big metalic mess!

If you drive back down Harewood Mines Road towards Howard Avenue, look at the 2nd or 3rd house to the right as you leave the powerlines. You'll see a heavy duty coal car sitting in a guy's yard, closeby. He's got it sitting under a tree on some track. I've also been told that there are a few of these coal cars sitting in the bush in Extension, but good luck getting them out of there. You'll also see a prime example on a street corner in Ladysmith, as they have one on display there.

I'm actually more interested in following the ridge into Extension because its so far out there, meaning less people. The way I see it, the more people visit a site, the less you see because people want a souvenir. The Harewood Mines, particularly the ones by the powerlines, are frequented on a regular basis. I think you really have to be prepared to hike a fair distance to see anything spectacular (spectacular being defined as the site we found last weekend).

Sorry dude, you've been punked! haha
Don't worry, so have I!

[Bunky]

I'm not sure the sheet metal is part of a coal car because you're more likely to find a bucket like the one I saw in Granby. There's a lot of old car parts laying around there, so it could be something from that. You'd definately see a full bucket if it was a heavy duty coal car.... Most coal cars were made of wood and had steel straps to hold them together. From what I understand, all you'll find from those wooden coal cars would be wheels and metal straps as the wood has deteriorated. Just one big metalic mess!

If you drive back down Harewood Mines Road towards Howard Avenue, look at the 2nd or 3rd house to the right as you leave the powerlines. You'll see a heavy duty coal car sitting in a guy's yard, closeby. He's got it sitting under a tree on some track. I've also been told that there are a few of these coal cars sitting in the bush in Extension, but good luck getting them out of there. You'll also see a prime example on a street corner in Ladysmith, as they have one on display there.

I'm actually more interested in following the ridge into Extension because its so far out there, meaning less people. The way I see it, the more people visit a site, the less you see because people want a souvenir. The Harewood Mines, particularly the ones by the powerlines, are frequented on a regular basis. I think you really have to be prepared to hike a fair distance to see anything spectacular (spectacular being defined as the site we found last weekend).

Sorry dude, you've been punked! haha
Don't worry, so have I!

If you want to see some cool old coal cars, drive up to Extension and on John Street, second house on your right, you will see a nice display. Easier yet you will be able to see it in Google Earth street view. You may have seen it already but I thought I'd offer the info.
Regards, David.

[GR74]

Hi Bunky
Yeah I've been to the house you're talking about. Garry Britt lives there, he's been a real help in guiding me to the coal mines, he sure is an interesting guy to talk to.

[dpill]

If you want to see some cool old coal cars, drive up to Extension and on John Street, second house on your right, you will see a nice display. Easier yet you will be able to see it in Google Earth street view. You may have seen it already but I thought I'd offer the info.
Regards, David.

Hahahaha Street view is really fun :P found this nice pic


And yes GR74 i think we should go as far along the ridge as we can! Do you think we found "deadmans crevice"?

[GR74]

Dead Man's Crevice, no. The Prospect Mine, yes.

I believe the Abyss is on the other side (or another part) of the ridge. But then again, I hope everything is a mine when I find it.