# Lost Rhoades Mine

The Lost Rhoades Mine, also known as the Josephine Mine in some accounts, is a legendary gold mine believed to be hidden in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. The mine is central to a collection of folklore involving early settlers, Ute people, and Spanish miners. Despite numerous searches, its existence remains unverified.

## Origins and historical context

The legend of the Lost Rhoades Mine originates with Thomas Rhoads, a Kentucky-born member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Rhoads joined the church in Illinois in 1835 and participated in westward migrations. In 1846, he traveled to California, where he worked for John Sutter during the early California Gold Rush. Rhoads returned to Utah Territory in 1849, reportedly bringing significant amounts of gold, some of which was allegedly used to support the Deseret Mint.
In 1852, Rhoads was reportedly commissioned by Brigham Young to retrieve gold from a location known to Ute tribal leaders, particularly Chief Walkara. The Ute allegedly revealed the location of abandoned Spanish gold mines, under the condition that the gold be used solely for the benefit of the LDS Church. Wakara’s conditions included secrecy, limited access, and oversight by the Ute.

## Spanish and Native American connections

The mine is often linked to Spanish explorers who reportedly operated in the region before Mormon pioneers. Evidence cited by treasure hunters and historians includes petroglyphs, Spanish symbols, waybills, and historical accounts describing mining activity. Some sources also describe furnaces and tunnels purportedly used by Spanish miners.
The Josephine Mine, referenced in some accounts as part of the Lost Rhoades Mine legend, is believed to be a remnant of Spanish mining operations in the Uinta Mountains. Gary Holt, a Summit County resident, claims to have found the mine, and stated that the mine, located near Hoyt’s Peak, dates back to Jesuit priests in 1650. Holt markets a material called Goldcite, a fibrous calcite he claims contains traces of gold, and estimates its value at $30 million. Holt has also argued that natural obstacles, such as steam vents and water from a nearby caldera, may have hindered earlier mining efforts.
Treasure hunter and author Steve Shaffer has connected the Josephine Mine to Spanish miners, citing evidence such as prayer trees, wagon trails, and a waybill describing the mine's location. He claims the mine was actively used by Spanish miners in the 18th century before being abandoned.

## Treasure hunting expeditions

Treasure hunters have sought the Lost Rhoades Mine for over a century, drawn by reports of hidden wealth and its legendary status. While some accounts distinguish the Josephine Mine as a separate location, others conflate it with the broader Lost Rhoades Mine legend.
Gale Rhoads and Kerry Ross Boren, authors of Footprints in the Wilderness: A History of the Lost Rhoades Mines, helped popularize the legend in the 20th century. Originally published in 1860, their book was revised and expanded in 1980.
Expeditions by figures such as George "Tommy" Thompson and Mel Fisher have included SCUBA dives in Scout Lake to search for underwater entrances to the mine. However, no verifiable discoveries have been made.
Claims by Gary Holt of extracting fibrous calcite from the Hoyt's Peak site remain controversial among experts. U.S. Forest Service archaeologist Tom Flanagan has dismissed such claims as “treasure-hunting fantasies” rather than legitimate mining.

## Folklore and mystical claims

Some legends surrounding the Lost Rhoades Mine suggest that it contains the golden plates of the Book of Mormon and the Sword of Laban, referencing elements of LDS Church scripture. Other accounts describe supernatural guardians, such as Cherubim, protecting the mine.
Despite skepticism from geologists about the possibility of significant gold deposits in the Uinta Mountains, proponents of the legend cite unexplained findings, such as Spanish carvings, prayer trees, and historical accounts of treasure in the region. Some claim that gold from the mine was used to adorn the Angel Moroni Statue atop the Salt Lake Temple, though this claim remains unverified.