The Gold Cliff Mine Adventure Trip Now open for the 2008 season

Step back in time as you explore the historic Gold Cliff Mine located in the heart of the Mother Lode. The “Gold Cliff Adventure Trip” is a truly unique experience, combining challenging exploration with Gold Rush era history and folklore. These trips are by pre-paid reservation only. Call 209-736-2708.

Visitors meet their guide at the Gold Cliff Site entrance, where they sign the necessary waivers and get their gear. The expedition begins with a brief surface tour that includes historical information about the mine and discussion about the many structures that once stood on the property. In its heyday, between 1899 and 1920, the Gold Cliff’ Mine's shaft descended about 1,900 feet beneath the surface and produced almost 3 million dollars worth of gold.

From there the group goes below ground where knowledgeable guides navigate visitors through the mine's deeper passages and chambers. The route includes steep diagonal hiking, climbing and crawling using knotted hand-lines on a 45 to 50 degree slope, and negotiating loose rubble. The total distance traveled is approximately one mile and includes exploration of two large chambers, rafting across a flooded 100-foot deep mine stope and the possibility of seeing bats, millipedes and other creatures.

After returning to the surface, groups continue on to a second mine location. The vertical entrance is hidden within a picturesque precipice overlooking a canopy of trees. Using hand-lines to descend, groups make their way into the shaft where the actual entrance is revealed. This smaller mine contains a seasonal lake of clear water and beautiful examples of calcite formations including flowstone, ribbons and soda straws.

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FACTS AT A GLANCE Gold Cliff Mine Adventure Trip
Adventure Scale: 3.5
Minimum age	12 years if accompanied by parent 16 years if NOT accompanied by parent
Price per person	$99
Length of trip	2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours
Group size	2 - 8 people
Underground temperature	65°F to 70°F
Equipment provided	Hardhat with lights, gloves
Making reservations	Call toll free any day of the week: 866-762-2837. Reservations are REQUIRED for this activity.