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Heading into Griswold Canyon on New Idria Road -- we counted on one hand the number of cars encountered
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page 2 of 4 |
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| NEW IDRIA MINE RIDE | |
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| From Mercey Hot Springs, we biked to the New Idria Mine, a 64-mile out-and-back ride | Heading into Griswold Canyon on New Idria Road -- we counted on one hand the number of cars encountered |
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| Nothing but cows on the high plains desert | |
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| This rancher is quite artistic | |
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| Route stair-steps through a couple barren valleys into Griswold Canyon where we met our first tree | |
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| Adobe cabin on New Idria Road | Out-of-control wild pigs are not popular here |
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| Scenery changes to colorful bluffs as you near the mine | |
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| New Idria Mine was discovered by early Spanish missionaires and was in operation from 1854 to 1975. This was the second most productive mercury mine in North America. › More info on New Idria Mine | |
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| The mine is a super-fund toxic clean-up site. Maybe the Sierra Club had something to do with it's closing? | |
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| Dick in front of the smelting plant | Two dozen buildings remain in the town site |
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| A couple of the miner's cabins | |
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| Remains of the rail bridge leading into the smelting plant | |
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| What appears to be a bus stop | Heading back down the hill |
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| We meet a friendly cowpoke rounding up cattle for de-worming | |
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| The barren hills are beautiful in early spring, but wouldn't want to be out here when it heats up | |
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| Biker-friendly Panoche Inn, the only beverage stop within a 100-mile radius | |
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