Finding This in the Utah Wilderness Is a Dead Giveaway that a Gold Mine is Nearby

The Utah mountains and deserts were mined for gold by the Spanish explorers that left their mark on the landscape. If you know what you are looking for, you can find long forgotten mines and areas where gold was once retrieved. 

Simple Way to Crush the Rock and Reveal the Ore 

The Spanish coming from Mexico to the west to find gold developed a simple way to process the ore they mined. It is called an arrastra and those with a keen eye can spot them at different places in Utah and the west. 

In its simplest form, they would mark off a circle that was big enough for a horse or a mule to walk in a circle. They would cover the circle in flat stones. Then they would find a larger stone and chisel a hole through it. 

The miner would then bring the ore he wanted to pulverize and dump it in the circle. He would then tie a rope through the chiseled hole in the big rock and attach the other end to the horse or mule that would then pull it around and crush the ore. 

What to Look for When Searching for an Arrastra 

When looking for old Spanish mines, keep an eye out for anything that looks like piles of rock that has been processed. If you find a large flat stone with a hole chiseled through it nearby, you know you are on to a mining operation. 

The flat stones on the ground will show signs of scraping across the surface. You should be able to make out the original circle that formed the arrastra. Once you have identified where the ore was processed, you know a mine will be near. 

Red More: This Plant Can Reveal Gold Deposits Underneath

If the Spanish and others found gold in the Utah wilderness, there is probably more left undiscovered. Locating old mines can be a fun and exciting weekend hobby.