It has come to my attention that my clue for the Empire Mine in Nevada
County has a bonehead typo in it that makes everyone end up in poison
oak and occasionally face to face with a rattlesnake. I was only off a
mere 300 degrees. What do they expect? The following includes the
correction. Thanks

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 the
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 330 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.