Manganese/Rhodonite Mine

[GTSSportCoupe]

Been wanting to get out. Kid had day off today (teacher pro-d day). I've always enjoyed rocks and prospecting. Had read about this mine above Cowichan and thought I'd see if we could get to it. Had an awesome day up there and found fun trails and access to lots of new areas. No gates in the way which was nice. Anyhow, few pictures. Would love to head up there again sometime if anyone is interested.

Tight trails on way in/out:

Got into old mine area and looked for red rocks. I think this stuff I found is just quartz and not Rhodonite, but not sure.

Then drove up above old mine area to see how far I could go. Found a bypass that got me to the top of the hill and access to roads down into Chemainus River valley.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

More random pictures of views toward Cowichan lake and back toward the Ocean. And driving through the bypass (stretching the LJ a bit):

 

[cruiserpilot]

HaHa, you’re a lucky man! Surely wish I was there today. Did you create a trail file?
Maybe a gpx I can load into my CanadaTop. You haven’t even scratched the surface
of what that truck can do. Looks good. J

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

HaHa, you’re a lucky man! Surely wish I was there today. Did you create a trail file?
Maybe a gpx I can load into my CanadaTop. You haven’t even scratched the surface
of what that truck can do. Looks good. J

Hi Jon, yes I can create a trail file I'm pretty sure. Or at very least a map. It was such a pleasant day and everything was as I'd hoped, so yes I do feel lucky. I wish you coulda been along; I think you would have really liked that area. Very quick access to it too - I was surprised. Thanks for the comments.

 

[stevebradford]

Awesome we have heard of that place as well hanging around the Victoria rock shop, nice find, I’m just a bit jealous and great pictures!

Planning a bog adventure to the same two bogs for the botanists late June early july to hopefully catch the Carnivourous plants in bloom assuming COVID complies. Blue berries and blue huckles might be perfect!

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Awesome we have head of that place as well hanging around the Victoria rock shop, nice find, I’m just a bit jealous and great pictures!

Planning a bog adventure to the same two bogs for the botanists late June early july to hopefully catch the Carnivourous plants in bloom assuming COVID complies. Blue berries and blue huckles might be perfect!

Right on Steve! Another bog trip would be awesome!

I get my first vaccine shot tomorrow.

 

[bikersmurf]

Right on Steve! Another bog trip would be awesome!

I get my first vaccine shot tomorrow.

15 days... been a long time coming. I’m covered now too

Now all I need to do is get my but in gear and get my truck back road worthy.

 

[bikersmurf]

Kinda committed to finishing the power steering before driving much. The bonus is that it’ll greatly improve drivability off road... especially after driving without it for almost 30 years.

 

[seapotato]

Big trip would be cool.

Mel finally got her jab last week too. Definitely reduces the stress levels a notch or two having it.

 

[seapotato]

Big trip would be cool.

Mel finally got her jab last week too. Definitely reduces the stress levels a notch or two having it.

Ha, autocorrect made that big trip instead of bog trip.

Either would be good.

Provided I have a functioning cruiser

 

[Rigpig]

Cool trip. Can't wait to get a truck going again!

 

[bikersmurf]

Cool trip. Can't wait to get a truck going again!

I’ll race ya to running again...

I guess it all depends whose list is longer.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Cool trip. Can't wait to get a truck going again!

I’ll race ya to running again...

I guess it all depends whose list is longer.

My trick is my cruiser is required as a daily driver. This bumps it high up on the list of priorities around the house. Gotta be able to get those kids to school and myself to work!

Would certainly be nice to get some regular group cruiser wheeling trips going again though for sure (once covid settles down a bit more). Thing I really like about Cowichan area is access is so much easier (compared to Sooke area). And honestly I find the drive to Cowichan Lake pretty fast and easy. It's further, but seems to be less exhausting than going to Sooke/Shirley these days. It's also much closer if people from Nanaimo area want to join.

 

[bikersmurf]

would say go for it if I prioritized it over other things... however I don’t feel right about doing so yet. Other than the P/S to make it easier on my broken body, it’s pretty much good to go.


Besides I don’t really need 4WD to keep up with most trucks off-road... 1150 kg over the rear axle minimizes the need for matching diff ratios

 

[bikersmurf]

would say go for it if I prioritized it over other things... however I don’t feel right about doing so yet. Other than the P/S to make it more drivable on days when I’m broken... like today.

Apparently I’d already finished this post...

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

Those tires sure tuck! Great to see you out exploring, it’s about all we can do these days. I get out every weekend but on 2 wheels not 4.

 

[stevebradford]

I have heard over the years that weathered rhodonite can be found in the Sidney, island view beach Sidney spit and James island area.

I was told recently that the glaciers carved out the cowichan lake depression, the material that was removed was ground down and carried away. The real interesting bit is that sandy material was deposited south east as the glacier moved south and the mountains forced it east. Those deposits I’m told make up Sidney spit, James island, the sandy cliffs of island view beach and sandy Cobble hill.

Explains why the not commonly distributed rhodonite can also be found in that area.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I have heard over the years that weathered rhodonite can be found in the Sidney, island view beach Sidney spit and James island area.

I was told recently that the glaciers carved out the cowichan lake depression, the material that was removed was ground down and carried away. The real interesting bit is that sandy material was deposited south east as the glacier moved south and the mountains force it east. Those deposits I’m told make up Sidney spit, James island, the sandy cliffs of island view beach and sandy Cobble hill.

Explains why the not commonly distributed rhodonite can also be found in that area.

That's really neat, thanks for sharing. I've heard people have found bits of mammoth teeth/tusks in some of those same deposits.

I found a really great spot for Rhodonite up by that old mine (second time I went up). A different deposit that is a 200m from the mine and seems to be revealed only recently by a clear cut. I'd like to head up again with a shovel and pick this time.