Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I spotted something strange on Google Earth in a mountain chain I thought I knew. Today, we are hiking in to ground-truth a potential lost gold mine. The geology didn't make sense on the maps, but what we found inside changed everything.
From "eye-hole" mine entrances to ancient miners' fireplaces and a terrifying encounter with a rattlesnake in the adit—this exploration got wild fast. We even discovered a rare "X Marks the Spot" USGS marker that helps explain why this mine exists.
In this video:
How to use Google Earth to find lost mines
Identifying miner ruins and foundations
Safety tips for entering old adits (Watch for snakes!)
What a USGS/PLSS marker looks like in the wild
👇 ENTER THE GIVEAWAY 👇
We are giving away 10 bags of rich paydirt, a Keene 140S Dry Washer, and a Gold Monster 1000!
To Enter: Click the link below and make a $10 pledge to support the channel.
00:00 - Hunting a Lost Mine (Spotted on Google Earth)
01:05 - Found: Ancient Miner's Ruins & Fireplace
02:44 - Locating the Hidden Mine Portal
03:24 - Inside the "Eye-Hole" Cave
04:07 - Reading the Mine's History (Anvil & Forge)
04:47 - DANGER: Why you check for snakes first!
06:16 - Metal Detecting the Old Foundation
07:15 - X Marks the Spot (Rare USGS Marker Found)
07:50 - Massive Gold & Detector Giveaway!
#GoldMining #GoogleEarth #AbandonedMines #Geology #JeffWilliams #GoldProspecting #MetalDetecting #USGS
I spotted something strange on Google Earth in a mountain chain I thought I knew. Today, we are hiking in to ground-truth a potential lost gold mine. The geology didn't make sense on the maps, but what we found inside changed everything.
From "eye-hole" mine entrances to ancient miners' fireplaces and a terrifying encounter with a rattlesnake in the adit—this exploration got wild fast. We even discovered a rare "X Marks the Spot" USGS marker that helps explain why this mine exists.
In this video:
How to use Google Earth to find lost mines
Identifying miner ruins and foundations
Safety tips for entering old adits (Watch for snakes!)
What a USGS/PLSS marker looks like in the wild
👇 ENTER THE GIVEAWAY 👇
We are giving away 10 bags of rich paydirt, a Keene 140S Dry Washer, and a Gold Monster 1000!
To Enter: Click the link below and make a $10 pledge to support the channel.
00:00 - Hunting a Lost Mine (Spotted on Google Earth)
01:05 - Found: Ancient Miner's Ruins & Fireplace
02:44 - Locating the Hidden Mine Portal
03:24 - Inside the "Eye-Hole" Cave
04:07 - Reading the Mine's History (Anvil & Forge)
04:47 - DANGER: Why you check for snakes first!
06:16 - Metal Detecting the Old Foundation
07:15 - X Marks the Spot (Rare USGS Marker Found)
07:50 - Massive Gold & Detector Giveaway!
#GoldMining #GoogleEarth #AbandonedMines #Geology #JeffWilliams #GoldProspecting #MetalDetecting #USGS
