Sumpter Dredge
Exploring old gold mining relics
As part of our annual trip to Winchester Bay on the Oregon coast, we decided this time to go the Oregon scenic route OR-26 through the central part of the State. On the way we stayed the night in Baker City and visited the Sumpter Dredge for a few hours. On the drive toward the dredge, we saw the valley filled with tailings indicative of dredge activity. I did not notice it at the time, but while driving miles to the dredge, there were tailings in the valley to the south. The mining was extensive, and while nature is slowly reclaiming the land, one can easily see the curved tailing ridges. I have enjoyed gold mining programs ever since Gold Rush came to the Discovery channel. Sure, it is reality television, but it is interesting to essentially see how sluice mining is done.
Visiting the dredge
The dredge is in a State park, and there are plenty of other things to see, including rusting old equipment of all kinds along the side of the road near a cafe. You can go inside the dredge to look around, and it is fascinating to see how nice everything looks.
The Sumpter dredge was remarkably well preserved, and as I enjoy the history of gold mining, it was quite the experience.
I enjoy gold mining, and it was great to see the actual machine that was used so long ago