From Lockhart

Granary

Some years ago I got a tip there was a granary from Ancient One days that there was a granary where corn had been stored in one of the side canyons on the way down Lockhart Basin trail. It took three attempts with different Base Camp guests to locate it. It seemed odd that food would be stored there without a habitat of some sort nearby but in a previous search I hadn't located any ruins, petroglyphs, or any signs of habitation. Alf and I are visiting the granary and then coordinating searching trying to find anything that might connect the granary to a place of living.

Evening

Ringtails by Erich

Courtesy Erich Six

Courtesy Erich Five

Courtesy Erich Four

Courtesy Erich Three

Beyond Chicken Corner: (To The River)

I've been trying to find a way from the other side of Chicken Corner down to the river. Twice I've tried to get down into the canyon that appears to lead to the river and been unsuccessful. Today with Erich spotting from on top as I work my way down I'm in the canyon for two plus hours trying to get to the river.

The Search: (Dripping Springs Mine)

Four or so years ago I hiked into a mine down Lockhart Basin and found 50 plus year old dynamite in it. I let the BLM know and a year or two ago they blew it up. Five or so years ago I hiked into some mines back in Dripping Springs with a father and his three sons. Electrical storm came up and with lightning everywhere we retreated into the mines to set it out. I took a picture of the family sitting on a box with a flash. When I downloaded it onto the Mac later that night I saw the box was labeled dynamite. I let the BLM know but never followed up. I was back in that area twice last year and hiked up to the mine but didn't have a flashlight allowing me to go further into the mine to see if the box was still there so it's bothered me over the winter somebody might have an issue in there someday. Erich and I are exploring the Dripping Springs mine to see if we can find any sign of the box labeled dynamite.

The Buddy System: (Mine Two)

We're deep into the mine again. I'd guess three hundred feet. There was one more crawl that branched off and two that were above us on very shaky ladder to get to.

The Buddy System: (Mine One)

In a perfect world exploring mines I'd like to have somebody on the outside so if there is a collapse they can call for help. Erich and I have decided to explore the mines further than I went since there are two of us. However neither of us wanted to be the guy on the outside that called for help and miss all the fun of exploring so we both went in. It was about a ten minute and probably 300 feet walk back to where we elected to turn back. There was quite a bit of water and mud. There were other tunnels but they required crawling. If you have to crawl I'm not going.

Elevator Shaft

Courtesy Erich Two

Courtesy Erich