Contrary Creek

Monday was a hot and sunny day, like most this summer. We decided to take advantage of the good weather to walk up Contrary Creek to see where some of the mines had been. People still pan for gold in the creek bed, and we saw some doing so. The water level was low and the creek was warm. It is also very red from the minerals, especially iron, in it. The creek bed is very rocky and pebbly. We got wet as we crossed it several times. I picked up samples of pyrites, sulpher and various rocks. We saw evidence of old mine shafts and brickwork--more than I had anticipated. The biggest surprise was how the water stained my clothes. It was like a red dye. My pants are still soaking in a bucket in the garage.