Exploring Monte Cristo's Abandoned Mystery Mine (Part 1 of 2)

I'm excited to present the first part of the Mystery Mine two-part series. This mine has been on my list for a LONG time now and I was really excited to finally explore it. The Mystery Mine complex contains over 12,000ft of underground workings on three primary levels. This series focuses on the lowest of those levels, the Mystery #3. The Mystery #3 was the main haulage tunnel servicing the Mystery, Pride of the Woods, and Pride of the Mountains Mines. The tunnel passes under Mystery Ridge, Glacier Creek, and Cadet Peak!

This complex of mines was by-far the most significant in the Monte Cristo Mining District. The Pride-Mystery complex produced over 300,000 tons of ore, accounting for 85-90% of district production.

The Mystery #3 adit outlets to a tram terminal which connected to the concentrator down near the townsite. The Pride Mines are located on the other side of Mystery Ridge, most of the Pride workings are inaccessible. The mines are all connected via stopes and raises.

The Mystery Mine was one of John D. Rockefeller's ventures. In fact, Monte Cristo likely would not have been as significant as it was if it weren't for Mr. Rockefeller's money. The mine was discovered in the 1890's and was abandoned by 1907.

Ore material contained Pyrite, Arsenopyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, and others. The minerals recovered were gold, silver, lead, arsenic.

Part two of the series will pick up where we left off. I will release part two on November 19th.

Thanks for watching!


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