Scott L. Ritchie's Photo Gallery
Southwestern View of the Main Workings
A southwestern view of the old White Cloud mine workings and pegmatite exposure.
North Rib of White Cloud Upper Drift
A view of the north rib in the old White Cloud upper drift, showing a core zone development of tiger striped graphic granite. The underground workings extend approximately 30 feet back following a quartz and montmorillonite enriched pocket zone. Unfortunately poor engineering resulted in the drift heading northward, which resulted in breaching the footwall of the pegmatite. An attempt was made to follow the pocket mineralization as it dips to the southwest, but due to the steepness of the dip, work was abandoned after a few feet of advance.
White Cloud Upper Adit 2021
A western view of the old White Cloud upper adit. The underground workings extend approximately 30 feet back following a quartz and montmorillonite enriched pocket zone. Unfortunately poor engineering resulted in the drift heading northward, which resulted in breaching the footwall of the pegmatite. An attempt was made to follow the pocket mineralization as it dips to the southwest, but due to the steepness of the dip, work was abandoned after a few feet of advance.
UU5-JHDMicrocline K(AlSi3O8) , Tourmaline AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z , Lepidolite
Dimensions: 87 mm x 71 mm x 51 mm
A natural etched microcline crystal with minor colored tourmaline and lepidolite; from the Tourmaline King mine, Pala, San Diego County, California. Specimen measures 87x71x51mm, and weighs 236.0 grams. Recovered in the old upper workings dumps by the San Diego Mining Company, Summer 2012. Digital photographs courtesy of Erik M. Cordova.
Southern side of the ridge
The south facing ridge and workings of the Carmelita mine, Chihuahua Valley, San Diego County, California. View is towards the north. Digital photograph taken January 7th, 2004.
Southern end of the ledge circa 1904
An early picture by H. C. Gordon showing the Esmeralda mine as viewed from the southern end of the pegmatite ledge, looking towards the northwest. Circa 1904 photograph from the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Mine workings in 1962
Photographs from the scrapbook of John Sinkankas showing the Esmeralda mine workings in April of 1962. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Gem Pocket in 1956 by Sinkankas
A sketch by John Sinkankas showing the location and character of a large pocket discovered at the Esmeralda Mine, North Main Workings, September 22nd–23rd, 1956. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Mine topography in 1956 by Sinkankas
John Sinkankas’s macro sketch of the Esmeralda Mine workings and topography, March 11th, 1956. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Mine workings in 1956 by Sinkankas
John Sinkankas’s detailed sketch of the Esmeralda Mine layout, March 11th, 1956. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
