Overlook Cave This cave is located on the West side of the canyon across from Center Creek. This only extends into the hill a good 30' or so and upon examination did not appear to have any signs of mineralization. Just a natural pocket, but a great place to [...]

Provo Canyon was the main route for explorers, trappers, Indians, and Spaniards to access the eastern Uintah's from Utah valley, which makes it a great area to search for old mines and symbols. This picture was taken in 1910 and shows a freight wagon crossing the Provo [...]

George Thompson in his book "Faded Footprints" says that there are seven smelters along the creek. We were able to locate a couple of them fairly easily and a few interesting markings. For there to be so many smelters here there must have been some significant mining operations close [...]

Rhoades Canyon is a very interesting place. Several old symbols and mines still remain to be seen in this area. The road up the bottom of the canyon is actually shown on an early territory map created in the mid 1800's before this road was cut by the forest service. Definitely an [...]

This old article tells of a mine that was discovered in the late 1800's at Pelican Point (West side of Utah Lake). Could it be an old Spanish mine? There's a painting in the DUP museum in Salt Lake City that is called something like "Cave at Pelican Point." [...]

Many stories exist of hidden mines in the North Fork of the Duchesne.  One such story was told in George Thompsons book "Faded Footprints" pg. 76. "Not long after the Ute Reservation was opened to settlement, Frank DeFa established a ranch along the North Fork of the Duchesne River. [...]

This one is the only cave in the Soapstone area with a history connecting to Spanish treasure.  The first person to explore it stated that they found a gold bar at the bottom amidst the boulders.  No evidence has been brought forward to prove the story as true [...]

In George A. Thompsons book "Faded Footprints" pg. 52 he related the following story. "One of the many clues Caleb Rhoads let slip, perhaps purposely, about on e of the places where he found gold was that the trail to it passed between two knolls, one rocky and brush [...]

While exploring Slate Canyon many years ago we discovered an old mine and ore cart that was mostly buried just off the main trail up the canyon. The mine entry was collapsed but partially open, and being less intelligent than we are today, we decided to squeeze in and [...]

George Thompson published a description of the old trail going over Farm Creek in his book "Faded Footprints" pg. 52 and 53. "Back in the early days of Thomas Rhoads and Chief Wakara, the Farm Creek Trail went East from the present site of Hanna to the Red Ledges, and [...]

Rock Canyon is one of the most visited canyons along the Wasatch front mainly due to its close proximity to Provo and BYU. It is a climbing mecca for many and a great recreational area. Few know of the beautiful caves that are found there (two of them gated) or [...]

The following story comes from an article in the Daily Herald but the pictures were obtained from the owner when the horns were in the old Current Creek lodge. This could be a just a rare incident where the rams horn became stuck, or an Indian could have hung him there [...]

Diamond Fork is filled with history of Spanish miners, travelers, and mysterious inscriptions that lead one to believe that there is more to the canyon than meets the eye. Spanish Mine Nearly 20 years ago my Uncle was shown the location of an old mine in Diamond Fork by [...]

This old mine is located near the head of Daniels Summit. It was worked in the mid 1900's but could have been the original mine that George Thompson told a story of in "Faded Footprints" pg. 29. "There could be a lost ledge of gold near the top of [...]

Pole Creek Sink Mine Gale Rhoades filed a mining claim here and opened up a large tunnel following an old vein once worked by the Spanish. The tunnel goes in about 10 feet then turns and parallels the cliff face where the tunnel wall collapsed and created a window [...]

February 1519 a fleet of eleven Spanish ships landed on the coast of Mexico near the modern day port of Vera Cruz. Onboard was a force of nearly six hundred Conquistadors; led by the infamous Hernán Cortés, they had come to Mexico to conquer the land and convert its people [...]

The map below was published in Gale's "Lost Gold of the Uintah" book but was not mentioned within the text. It shows the Yellow Bird mines (photos below). The mines can be located off of any USGS map. This is one of the Yellowbird mines located at the back [...]

In Gale's book "Lost Gold of the Uintah" he states that this is "found on the high ledges near the mouth of the South Fork of Rock Creek". Another reason why you have to second guess everything you read in the treasure books. While it is high on the [...]

George Thompson in his book "Faded Footprints" relates the following story:   "There are old Spanish mines all along Currant Creek Canyon; too many have been found there to doubt that. One of those found mines has had a long and sometimes bloody history. Fifteen miles up Currant Creek [...]

A good friend of mine spotted the Perez mine while exploring Cabin creek.  From across the canyon they could see a small opening in a maze of ledges North and West of Upper Stillwater dam.  When they arrived at the old mine neither dared enter due to its poor [...]

The Daily Record, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 23, 1958 printed the following: Lost Rhoades Gold Mine Discovered Recently By Bullock Mines - Metals Discovery of the lost Rhoades Gold Mine west of Moon Lake in Duchesne County, Utah, was announced this week by Mr. Ben H. Bullock of the Bullock Mine, Metals and Oil Corporations of Utah.Mr. Bullock stated [...]

This mine was discovered in the 1930's by Clarence Mecham from information given him of an Old Indian. The family worked for years in cleaning out and exploring the old shaft but still has not uncovered the original vein worked. The owner of this mine is up there every [...]

Moon Lake is shrouded with history of Spanish mining and Indian lore. Many interesting things can and have been found in this area, and we hope to someday find the secret it holds. Looking North West over Moon Lake to Round Mountain   The cliffs just [...]

The Foreman mine is shown in Faded Footprints twice, one with the author George Thompson in the entry and another with Ed Grose. George actually locates this one correctly. It is in Lake Basin, but the basin is so large it doesn't really give enough info for someone to [...]

Yellow Ledges Mine George Thompson tells the following story in his book "Faded Footprints" (pg, 133) which could be referring to the mine above . "If you look closely, you might see an old mine on the west side of the canyon just before the old road which used [...]