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Post by catmandewe on Dec 6, 2008 20:51:28 GMT -5
Today I spoke with one of the mine owners about letting us go rock hounding on his claim down in the Bruneau Canyon. He said he does not normally do this, but he may make an exception for us. I told him we would be willing to pay to go down and look around. He said for 25-50 bucks a person, depending on how many were interested, he would take us down there and we could surface collect for a day or two or three, no hard rock mining. Anyone who goes needs to sign a liability waiver, and it requires a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle and a driver who is not squeamish to get to the mine. He wants to be there while we are there, and due to his show schedules the earliest we could get in there would be around June.
I told him I would put this out here and let him know how many people we have interested. I told him from past experience I expect 6-10 people to show up. If you are interested reply to this thread and within a few weeks or so we should know how many we have interested in this field trip.
There is primitive camping down on the Bruneau River, and there is a clawfoot bathtub hot tub within walking distance of camp (at least it was still there the last time I was down there). You will need to bring camping gear, food and water (or some kind of water purification system), you cannot get a trailer in there, unless you just don't care about your trailer. You will also need to bring something to bring your bodily wastes back out, this is a wild and scenic river system and no waste is to be left there. Something to keep in mind, If this new bill passes, this area may be completely lost forever, may be your last chance to see the Bruneau Jasper mine.
I think that about covers it. If I have forgotten something please feel free to throw it in there.
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Tony
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 6, 2008 21:01:43 GMT -5
Oh I forgot, the nearest town is Bruneau, it is only open from sunup to sundown, and it is 2-3 hours away, (but only about 25 miles as the crow flies)
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Dec 6, 2008 21:09:54 GMT -5
I'm IN!!! That's really sweet of you to think about us Tony. This would definitely be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Tell the Mine Owner THANKS A BUNCH! Steve
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free2rockhound
starting to shine!
Member since December 2006
Posts: 45
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Post by free2rockhound on Dec 6, 2008 21:35:04 GMT -5
OK Tony count me in
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Dec 6, 2008 22:46:22 GMT -5
I'm already there!!!!!!
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Post by fishenman on Dec 7, 2008 12:05:33 GMT -5
I'm ready, willing and able.
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Post by akansan on Dec 7, 2008 23:39:37 GMT -5
What sort of date range are we looking? During Winter, after Winter...?
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 8, 2008 0:00:29 GMT -5
Ok, we have 5 so far counting myself.
It will be sometime in June, depends on the mine owners show schedule.
Tony
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 8, 2008 0:45:20 GMT -5
I'll be in Bruneau in July but if the trip is in June I can only make it if it isn't the weekend of the 20th.
-Pete
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Post by akansan on Dec 8, 2008 10:19:53 GMT -5
Oooo - June. Would Boise be the closest airport?
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Dec 8, 2008 10:40:39 GMT -5
Boise would be the closest major airport.
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Dec 8, 2008 10:45:45 GMT -5
No way I'd be able to get there. Although I would love to do something like this.
I do have a question tho, why is the town only open from sunup to sundown? Is it a tourist place? Sorry that's two questions.
Simon
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 8, 2008 11:57:27 GMT -5
I do have a question tho, why is the town only open from sunup to sundown? Is it a tourist place? Sorry that's two questions. Simon Lol, no it most certainly is not a tourist place, The "town" of Bruneau consists of one general store and "regular only" gas station, across the street from a diner/cafe/video rental place. There are a few houses tucked in the Willow trees along the river, but it is one of those "don't blink or you'll miss it" towns. About 15 miles away is Grand view, which isn't a whole lot more, although GV has a "hotel" (I think its like 7 rooms) and two general stores along with a lager Cafe/Diner/Bar. Mountain Home is probably the nearest "real" town- with chain motels, fast food and all of the trapping of civilization most of us have come to take for granted, (along with an Air Force Base) its about 30 miles from Bruneau and Grandview. What we're looking at is the last viable farmland at the edge of a high desert, the Bruneau River cuts a deep canyon through the volcanic tablelands south of there and apart from some pronghorn antelope there is very little to see for about 100 miles south of Bruneau. The canyon is pretty spectacular though-
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Dec 8, 2008 12:07:30 GMT -5
this is what the canyon looks like. Here is a top view.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 8, 2008 12:25:47 GMT -5
I was looking for my pictures of the canyon, but yours are better! Here is a view from that same vantage point on a sunnier day
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rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
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Post by rockwizz on Dec 8, 2008 13:20:49 GMT -5
Tony Put me down for this one. How many days are we staying up there? can we crash in your place for a day?
Ozzy
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Dec 8, 2008 14:05:55 GMT -5
Ah the penny drops, what we call a hamlet. ;D
Those pictures are stunning, will have to get my act together and do some traveling.
Simon
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 9, 2008 0:08:10 GMT -5
Actually the general store closed down a few years ago. Some of my closest friends, Mike and Denise, own the Fishin Hole, it is a bait and tackle shop in Bruneau. After the general store closed he started carrying milk, eggs, cheese, that sort of thing so people wouldn't have to drive all the way to Mountain Home to get them. Last year he had to add on to his store to accommodate the extra traffic and now has a small grocery store in his bait shop. There is a gas station called Jumbos, they remodeled it and added a convenience store, but I am not sure what they did as I have not been down there for a while. The old gas station has a cafe in it, but it is hit and miss as to when they are open. Just for a bit of information, very few of the locals will buy gas in town. That's all I am saying.
I did a float trip down the Bruneau river quite a few years back, that has got to be the most amazing scenery I have ever seen in my life!!!! If any of you are rafters or kayakers, this is a must do river. It is only runnable about 3-5 weeks of the year, depends on your boat style and expertise. Once you start though, you are committed, there are only 3 places to get out of the canyon on foot, unless you are an experienced mountaineer. There is one set of rapids called 5 mile, because it is a series of rapids that is 5 miles long, once you start there is no stopping!! The bruneau jasper mine is close to the put in, one of the few places where you can actually drive to the river, so there may be some boaters down there as well. I have some pictures of the float trip, will see if I can find them to bring along in June. We are shooting for early June before it gets super hot.
This is gonna be a blast!!!
Tony
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Post by Bejewelme on Dec 10, 2008 22:12:21 GMT -5
You will also need to bring something to bring your bodily wastes back out, I was so on this until this statement, it looks beautiful though!!!! I will be at home with my beauty products!!!!!! Praying you find a way to dispose of your waste!! Amber
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
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Post by Gem'n I on Dec 11, 2008 20:26:47 GMT -5
Boy you talk about the trip of a lifetime...this would definitely make the bucket list!! My problem would be the heights...I get nervous getting to the top of the plane ramps...I would go through my waste bags in the first hour just from the sheer shots you show of the area. Guess I'll just have to live through your pics and findings unless they have a good supply of skyhooks for my tookus in town!!
Larry
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