LeeK Loc: Washington State

Thanks for your positive critic, Carol.

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

Check the state laws on line to make sure you don't violate any laws or regulations.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No trespassing and no commercial use or money making of any kind and you should be fine.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I wouldn’t let comments by UHH members discourage you from entering any of your photos in local contests. Local contests, especially if you are provided critiques, can be an excellent way to get feedback for improving future images.

When I first started entering local contests I didn’t come close to placing for an award, but I did continually learn from the critiques, which provided one source of feedback allowing me the improve to where I am now

Take, and enjoy, whatever opportunities for improving your skills that are presented to you. 🙂

DMZX

I am not sure exactly where that tunnel is at, but I am somewhat familiar with the Blewett/ Swauk mining district where that tunnel lays.

There used to be many active claims in that Swauk Creek area. Placer gold in the creek, some large nuggets. Many tunnel were dug and bored to fine the source. Swauk creek was dredged. The old tailing piles are still visible from the highway.

There was some problems sometime ago about people wandering into the old shafts. I recall a fatal or near fatal incident that spurred the state or feds to require old shafts be closed.

That tunnel in the photo was no doubt closed with the idea of reopening at a later date or decade. The rail is no doubt for ore cars.

If I was wanting to approach the tunnel entrance for a photo I would do some research on land ownership because many of the claims are on public lands (FS) under special use permits. If that is the case one could hike around the land just leave the structures, including shafts and equipment, alone. If the site is not posted, it is probably on public lands and therefore accessible.

Research the Swauk Mining District for a interesting history of the area. There is still gold to be had by panning Swauk Creek. Not enough to get to excited about though. There are also a good deal of photo op's if one is up to hiking about that area.

LeeK Loc: Washington State

Jim, thanks for the encouragement. That is one reason I do like to enter. As time has gone by, I find my thoughts about winning pictures are sometimes right on with the judge's comments and I gain more confidence in judging my own.

LeeK Loc: Washington State

Interesting stuff. It was on a FS road but had signs saying it was private land. I will research some more about mining in the area as well as specific right of way, permits, etc. Thanks for info.

DMZX

Leek if you can, and do not mind, give me the GPS coordinates and I can tell you if it is public or private lands. Many claims were posted, illegally, to keep folks away. That may or not be the case. I have digital maps of that area and could tell you what the land ownership is where that tunnel is at. Maybe PM me.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

It does not seem likely to me. The tunnel is closed with a really nice concrete wall and an ornate wooden door. If it were closed because of regulations with an eye to opening it up later for possible mining, I would expect to see a lot of rocks and pieces of plywood jumbled together. No sense in spending significant effort just because some bureaucrat wants it closed and without reliable expectation of profitable future use. It looks to me like it's currently in use.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee, WA

This narrative is accurate. When I was a young man I panned for gold in the Swauk and actually found enough to get me excited. The little town of Liberty on the south side of the pass was developed to support the mining industry. Much of the creek and surrounding area is still "claimed" by gold prospectors. I strongly suspect this very interesting structure had something to do with mining in the area. While I'm not sure the photo would win any awards in a competition, I found it interesting and it caused me to reminisce about a time in my youth I haven't thought about in a long while.

LeeK Loc: Washington State

I think I will forget entering the contest. I agree that the picture is not exceptional but the subject was unusual and I thought that might be enough. The contest is focused around getting out and enjoying the northwest and the unusual often wins each week. It was definitely a unique finding up in hills for me. All the information about trains, mining, etc., has been interesting.