Ruggles Mine in Autumn

Grafton New Hampshire

Ruggles Mine, in Grafton NH is located on the top and side of Isinglass Mountain. Over 150 minerals are found here including beryl, mica, amethyst, rose and smokey quartz, garnet, etc. It also has uranium minerals like as gummite. I was lucky enough to mine near one of the owners and his workers right after they found a fresh deposit of this rare mineral. Now I'm the proud owner of some glowing green specimens that sadly didn't photograph well. Needless to say, I'm expecting my super powers or extra fingers to grow in any day now from the radioactive material. :D

This is the entrance tunnel that leads to the actual mine itself. The walls are granite, feldspar, lots of glittery mica and probably a lot of other things I didn't notice. Ruggles Mine is not an "underground" mine in the traditional sense. It's actually a pit mine - open air without the claustrophobia to egg on anxiety. Aside the steep hill, it's an easy trip.




This is the first view of the mine you get from the tunnel. The camera doesn't give you the "wow" factor it deserves. This is the only place I can think of, aside the sea, that was mammoth in size when I was a child, and still is today years later. Just for perspective, I took this shot with my father next to the pillar and got a bonus when I realized I caught this huffing and puffing lady climbing up the hill.






The mine has many caves. This is the only one that contains water - maybe only a few inches deep at most. I got some cool orbs on this photo too, if you expand the image, you'll seem them.





This shot is the mine from the middle up. That's a long hill to climb!









And lastly here's a lovely Garter Snake that lives in a wall of quartz crystal and aquamarines.