On December 9, 2001 Funhog placed the Empire Mine Letterbox near Grass
Valley in Nevada County, California. For over one hundred years men and
mules toiled here thousands of feet beneath the earth's surface. They
drilled, blasted and hauled tons of ore in the quest for gold. Deadly
mercury and cyanide were used to extract the precious metal. The continuous
thundering of stamp mills crushing rock could be heard three miles away.
Today, the peaceful hiking trails of the Empire Mine State Historic Park
wend their way through the forest past the rusting, weathered remains of
many of the area's hard rock gold mines. At the Visitor Center you can
purchase ($1) a map of the Park's trails which contains interesting
information about the remnants of the mining era that you will see along
the trail.

to the trailhead: From highway 49 take the Empire Street exit and follow
the directional signs for the Empire Mine State Historical Park. If you
begin your hike at the Visitor Center you will have the opportunity to see
the Empire Mine main shaft, assay office, owner's residence and vintage
mining equipment, well worth the $1 entrance fee. Follow the Hardrock Trail
toward Penn Gate. The loop is a little over 2 miles. Alternatively, you can
park at Penn Gate, .7 miles downhill from the Visitor Center, for a brief
half mile stroll to and from the letterbox.

to the letterbox: Walking along the Hardrock Trail you will come to a
junction for the W.Y.0. D. (work your own diggins) Trail. Take this loop
trail. This mine leased sections to individual miners and was considered to
be very unlucky. Find the signpost with the unluckiest of numbers on it. At
this point you will see a hard box at 220 degrees and sharp strands at 5
degrees. Walk 24 paces toward the hard box to a trail junction. Look for a
ring of trees at 33 degrees. This is one time when a descent into
depression will be rewarding. With your back to the smallest of three
Ponderosas the letterbox is in front of you at the base of a clump of
small trees.