From UTAH TREASURE ASSOCIATION Newsletter
Volume 3 Number 10
April 16, 2004
Gold Hill is in the north end of the Deep Creek Mountains. These mountains have been mined since the min-1800's. These mountains proved to be rich in silver, copper, arsenic, cobalt, and tungsten. When the miners first started at Gold Hill, they were after gold, and thought that they hit it rich. But the mine was low in gold, and rich in copper and arsenic. Gold Hill itself was closed in 1925. It was mined for a short period of time during W.W.II for arsenic.
The geology consists of three intrusions into a Paleozoic limestone. This is what created the skarn deposits that produced the garnets (grossular-andradite in solid solution), wollastonite, diopside, and zoisite. The primary sulfides were deposited by hydrothermal ground water after the skarn. This is where the main copper minerals came from.
Gold Hill Mine, was fairly extensive. From the top of the peak the mine went down to the 900' level. There are a number of levels that can still be accessed, though ground water has reached the 400' level, making to impossible to go deeper. Austinite was first discovered at Gold Hill. It was encountered near the surface in the first diggings at Gold Hill. This site is still accessible today for collectors, though a dealer has blasted the site making it difficult to acquire undamaged, large specimens. The 80' level is a very scary place. I would not recommend exploring that level. It is partially collapsed and very unsafe. The 150' level has lots of good collecting sites. Connellite, adamite, arsenopyrite, brochantite, and the un-named CuBi-arsenate all come from this level. The 300' level is where the big concrete block is at. This level is also neat to explore, though there isn't much in the way of specimens here anymore.
Editor's note: Therere about a half dozen families living off and on at Gold Hill. A few of these folks own several of the old lots around town there. I have been there several times and haven't had much problem. If you get on their property, they will let you know! This is approx 60 miles from Wendover and there are no services - be sure to watch your gas gauge and take snacks and drinks. The bugs are coming out, so take some repellent. The place has been hunted a lot over the years, but you never know! There is a known trade token from there. PLEASE have respect for property, take out your trash and use common sense for safety!!
