Sierra Nevada - John Muir Wilderness - Scheelore Mine/McGee Creek

https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2014/10/mcgee-creek-scheelore-mine.html

On July 14, 1979 I did a 14 mile round trip day hike to the Scheelore Mine on McGee Creek. Don Stansifer had invited me up to his cabin for Friday night to visit and show pictures so decided to take a day hike Saturday.

The Scheelore Tungsten Mine is situated within the vast Inyo National Forest on McGee Creek. As of the time this data was recorded, the Scheelore Tungsten Mine was not operational and there were no known plans to reopen it. Its previous operations occurred between 1942 and 1944, with the production scale being relatively small. During its active period, the primary mineral extracted from the mine was scheelite, a valuable source of tungsten. The waste material generated during extraction predominantly comprised quartz, diopside, and epidote. The geological formation prevalent in the area is predominantly marble, which serves as the host rock for the mineralization. The surrounding region is characterized by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, a prominent feature of the larger Pacific Mountain System.

Scheelore Mine on McGee Creek 2014

I hit the trail a bit late, about 10 a.m. on McGee Creek. Hiked up the old mine road/trail and where the trail turns off left after about 4.5 miles, kept on the old road. This was a neat hike because of the good tread and steady even grade of the road. Only washed badly in a few places but the scenery was great.

Only few bugs. Arrived at the Lake below the Scheelore Mine about 2 p.m. Decided not to go up to the mine since I was tired, it was fairly late, and through binoculars it looked like there wasn't much to see anyway. Took a rest, ate lunch, tried to sunbath but it was cloudy and a bit cool.

About 3 p.m. decided to head down, just as it started to sprinkle. Decided to hike nude and enjoy the rain since it wasn't all that cold. The fine buckshot sized hail was a bit "stingy" but didn't last. Enjoyed a carefree hike in the rain down the road to the main trail where I decided it best to put clothes on.

The rain quit about this time. There had also been a very loud lightning and thunder storm during the showers. Arrived back at the car between 5 and 6 (watch stopped) and after picking up my gear at the Stansifer's, and taking their grandson David home to Rovana, headed for home. It was a great and interesting day. CRAZY!

Sheelore Mine on McGee Creek 1979

These pictures taken in 2014 are from this site.

Scheelore Mine on McGee Creek 2014

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