Rare Wooden Ore Car Still Rolling On The Tracks And Artifact Filled Cabin -Tribute To Miner Roy Ladd
Channel: Abandoned Mine Exploring with Tom and Julie
Date: 2021-10-16

We follow the footsteps of miner Roy Ladd, to many of his hand dug mines, and to one that has the wooden ore car still intact and in working condition. There is also a steel ore car and a beautiful wooden skip car in the mine. After going through the mine we hiked to Roy's favorite cabin to see how he lived and the things he left behind. 
Roy was a quiet, hardworking man, with exceptional mechanical skills, who mined this area extensively on numerous mining claims. He was a bit of a hermit and until he got to know you was somewhat reserved. He stayed in many different locations throughout these mountains.
He served in the military in WW2 as a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber. His entire crew was killed on a mission, but, luckily for him, he was on a different plane at that time. 
He drove a Chevy roadster through the mountains to some of the claims he worked. Supposedly, he had two transmissions in the Chevy, one reversed to achieve suitable gearing for crawling up the steep hills. 
He took work as a mechanic during the winter months when it was too cold to be high in the mountains working his claims.
We had a great time getting to know a few things about the man who worked so hard building these mines. It's very rare in the mine exploring world to know much, if anything, about the individuals who actually worked a particular mine. To see Roy's tools and equipment, and to hear some of his backstory, is truly special for us.
Many thanks to Ron and Jan, who were friends of Roy's and who shared their stories and photos with us. 
We hope you enjoy the video.