A brief history of the Grand Canyon?

Question

Did anyone actually find gold there? even a small amount?

Thanks.

Answer 1

There was actually quite a bit of prospecting and mining of gold and other minerals in the canyon, although most of it was pretty minor and only a couple of mines became significant producers.

The rocks of the main gorge are actually a combination of sandstones, shales, limestones and shists. Although there are some igneous intrusions, most of the mineralization is associated with formations called Breccia Pipes which are collapsed natural tunnels filled with rocky debris where metals and other minerals have slow accumulated due to ground water over thousands of years.

Probably the largest and most famous of the canyon mines is the Orphan Mine located just west of the main lodges on the South Rim. This was started in the 1890s as a copper claim, but became one of the country's top uranium mines during cold war period of the 1950s and 60s (there is still a lot radioactivity around the area which is fenced off).

Another major canyon mine was the Last Chance ran by Pete Berry and friends on Horseshoe Mesa to the east of the lodges. Today's Grandview trail was originally built for the purpose of accessing the mine which operated from the 1890s to the early 1900s. It was mostly a copper mine, but also produced small amounts of gold and silver as a by-product. Remains of the mining camp can still be found on Horseshoe Mesa.

Perhaps the biggest gold operation associated with the canyon area was the 1910 Spencer operation at Lee's Ferry (just upstream of the main canyon) that tried to setup a dredging operation on the river to work small amounts of gold in the surrounding hills. They never produced as much money as they spent and the operation eventually went under.

There was also quite a bit of mining (for gold and other minerals) around the area of the Havasu Indian Reservation (where the famous waterfall is) and a number of old mine shafts can be found in the area.

Other areas in and around the canyon that had small mines or significant prospecting include the mouth of the Little Colorado and Tanner Trail area, area around the Bass Trail and Kanab Creek.

Lastly, it is worth noting that pioneer Ralph Cameron located a couple of 'fake' mines near the river at the bottom of the Bright Angel trail in order to put a claim on the area and charge visitors for going down his trail. These tunnels can still be seen just before the trail reaches the river.

Note that because the Grand Canyon is a National Park NO prospecting or mining is allowed there today.

Answer 2

I doubt it. The grand canyon is made of sandstone. Gold shouldnt be near an area like that.

Answer 3

I was half way thru making it, The US govt wanted me to gold paint the canyon sides...

I had just started when it spilled...

The flakes stuck

I left

Us Govt lost

Some nut thought that was real gold.

Answer 4

Two guys got in a fight


I found a gold tooth

does that count ?

Answer 5

a river ran over some ground, cutting as it went