Rafting the Standard Mica Mine

I am fascinated by the variety of old mines hidden within our mountains of New Hampshire. Up until 10 years ago the only one I could have definitively named was Ruggles, but a lot has changed in this last decade and I've made it my curious mission to locate and explore as many of these treasures as possible, focusing mainly on the ones with underground workings. To date I have found and explored over 60 underground mines within our state, and with a solid lead on several dozen more I expect this database to surpass 100 in the years to come.

Worked on and off for a period of 75 years, at its peak the Standard Mica Mine of Grafton County employed 50 men and produced 3-5 tons of mica per day. It consisted of two open pits, the largest being 50 feet deep and 200 feet across, and contained two adits driven into its southwestern end. The site was mapped in 1944 and determined to have a pegmatite of over 950 feet in length. In technical terms, a pegmatite is a rock formed by lava or magma that is filled with minerals such as quartz or mica. In my own terms, a pegmatite is a rock formed when the earth belches up some of its innards, and with it comes a whole bunch of shiny stuff.

Pegmatite Investigations 1942-1945 New England

Google Earth is of little help when looking for a mine consisting of just one tunnel, but go searching for one that is attached to a 200 foot pool of water and you can spot those suckers from the comfort of your living room. That is exactly where I was when I first pinpointed this one.

But even though I knew the mine's location, I still had the unknown of what I might find in the woods on my hike to it. Sometimes that is nothing. But other times, such as on this day, it can be an abandoned and destroyed RV sitting in the middle of nowhere.

Once reaching the mine I spent some time walking around and scoping the area, as well as making sure I was by myself. It's rare to come across anyone when you're out at these remote locations, but it always gives you a jolt when you do. I was alone on this day, but I found this handful of toys that showed I'm not the only person who considers this a pretty cool spot to hang out.

Soon after I found myself standing at the edge of the quarry and staring wistfully across. Although the water level had obscured the left-side chamber to where only its very top was noticeable, the right-side chamber was still partially open. I realized I had a decision to make.

There was a flooded quarry, a chamber on the far side of the water, and a raft that could possibly get me there. For anyone who's ever gone adventuring with me you know this was a foregone conclusion the moment the thought entered my head. Out of my pockets came the electronics, into the water went the raft, and for lack of anything even close to resembling a paddle I grabbed the longest branch I could get my hands on and cast away.

I'm a fairly strong swimmer, so in my mind the worse case scenario was that the raft would deflate or capsize and I'd have a wet and smelly ride home. But that certainly wouldn't be a first. I made it safely to the chamber - which was just big enough for me to park the tube in - and hung out for a while before eventually returning to shore. Everything went right with this voyage except for one thing - immediately after casting off my camera had tipped over, so the only thing I had to show for my troubles was a fifteen minute video of the clouds.

For the second time I had a decision to make, and for the second time it wasn't even up for debate. I set my camera back up - more securely this time - then set sail on my second voyage of the day.

Not that there was anything to see inside the chamber, but I don't sleep well unless I physically enter every spot I'm capable of on an exploration. I made it back to solid ground without a drop of water on me, and now I could call my adventure to the Standard Mica Mine complete. And for the kids who's raft I borrowed that day, if our paths should ever cross I owe you each a couple beers. Or depending on how old you are, a couple of sodas.