Morning Star Mine October, 2000

Route Information

We had been looking forward to going back to the Morning Star mine all summer, but it seemed to get pushed back into late fall, about the same time that we visited the mine last year. We were eager to get back up there and get more mineral samples that we saw but didn't have time (or equipment) to get during our last visit. With hopes of better weather, we arrived at the trailhead in the fog and mist.

The trailhead is near the end of the Money Creek road

The beaten out trail was still brushy and wet. But it did seem a little easier to follow, and soon we were gaining altitude. We stopped occasionally to mark waypoints with the GPS, until the thick forest obscured the satellite reception. We got confused last year at a huge blowdown (and wandered off route for a while) but this year we correctly made our way around the big upended rootball of the tree, and climbed straight up. It was steeper than we remembered.

Partway up the trail to Crater Lake in the fog

Soon we were making our way along the mucky section of the trail, which is encountered once the trail flattens out, and the route gets near Crater lake. Somewhat confusing, this part probably never dries out all summer and sturdy boots are recommended. We then worked our way past the campsite at the lake, and crossed the small outlet stream from Crater Lake.

Making our way around the banks of Crater Lake

Wow, this was much easier than last year, where much time was spent up the wrong side of the mountain. We made our mistake on that earlier trip by spotting a dirty rockslide on the slopes above, and thinking that must be the mine dump. In reality, it was only a dirty rockslide. The real location of the mine is somewhat obvious - there is a cliffy ravine area above the NW side of the lake which is reddish in color, indicating the presence of mineralization. On this day, we simply kept going around the lake until we came to the spot where the gully actually empties into the lake.

Working up the gully that holds the mine

When one starts up the correct gully, it is possible to see the Morning Star adit in the cliffs above, easily in the morning light, but impossible in the afternoon glare. The gully is a straightforward climb as you make your way up, and one should keep to the right side once a few hundred feet of elevation are gained. Higher up it becomes more of a dirty gully, and this should be followed until the rocks become steep.

Before the class 2 climb - looking down the gully we just climbed

The final climb to the adit along the solid rock face, if undertaken, should be carefully navigated (see disclaimer). This type of climb now crosses the line between 'hiking' and 'climbing', and is probably classified as a 'class 2' climb - something that you would occasionally need your hands to make your way up. Are you a child, or someone with little outdoor experience? Forget it then. It is not a vertical climb, but it is on solid rock, following one of the small upward diagonal ledges found on this face. Could you fall off? Yes. Would you get hurt in the fall? Without a doubt.

Before the class 2 climb - The mine lies diagonally up this rock face

At this point, the adit is hard to see. One might be able to see the small ribbon of water flowing down the rock face, which drains from the mine. The depression that holds the adit is not always apparent until you are right upon it. Once you arrive at that spot, the is some room to relax and take your pack off, but not for a crowd of people. If you take pictures of the adit, be careful and don't back up TOO much while attempting to take the photo. (Yes, it almost happened.)

Someone left some good pyrite samples

Spotting some good mineral samples in the mine...

...and taking them out

This time we had our gear, and wanted to go all the way back to the end of the mine. The last time we were here, it had looked dark and ominous. Without rubber boots, we had not been able to go in very far. This time, with rubber boots and plenty of light, it was no problem to make it past the muddy section and to the back wall of the tunnel.

The end of the tunnel

The mine is not very long, only about 100 feet. The first 20 feet are somewhat wet and muddy, with some of that red Oklahoma-type mud that never comes off clothing. At this point, an old ladder is sometimes standing where someone has narrowly tunneled up above. It is kind of creepy to climb the ladder and stick your head up there. There is no telling what was found there, if anything. A little ways further, you will notice the pyrite vein on the left side and ceiling of the tunnel. We spent most of our time here, trying to chip some samples from the hard material. Past the pyrite, the tunnel makes it's way uninterestingly back to the dead-end.

Looking out of the mine

After spending a considerable amount of time sweating, stooping in the mud, and pounding with hammers and chisel, we decided that we were all full-up on fun. We sat for a while outside the adit and ate lunch in the foggy weather. It didn't seem like it was going to clear up. Wearily, we backtracked down the rock face, and down the gully to the lake where we tried to clean everything up as best as possible. The wet trail in the woods was quickly followed back to the truck in the early afternoon, where we then decided to make the short trip down the road to the Damon & Pythias mine.

References:

• Discovering Washington's Historic Mines - Oso Publishing. Information about the mine and route.