Stations 12-14

Station 12
The vegetation in this area is typical of most of the area you have hiked through thus far. This south-facing slope of Mineral Ridge is considered a Douglas-fir habitat type, meaning that Douglas-fir is the climax tree species in this area. However, you have seen quite a few ponderosa pine as well. Ponderosa pine will not germinate or grow well in shade. Although the tree grows best in relatively moist, but well-drained soils, it can tolerate dry, shallow, rocky soils. Here the soil is somewhat dry and shallow, suitable for pine but also moist enough to support Douglas-fir. Eventually, the ponderosa pine will be replaced by more shade-tolerant Douglas-fir. Because the soil is shallow, it’s important that you stay on the trail. Remember the extensive damage that trailing and erosion cause. If you left the main trail, look back at the route you took. Is the vegetation trampled? Is the ground bare? Will the trail that you took drain water quickly, or will it act as a channel? Did you help prevent erosion or did you worsen the problem?

Abandoned Mineral Prospect Spur Trail

Station 13 How Mineral Ridge Got Its Name
The short spur trail to the west leads to an abandoned mine. Prior to 1920, the United States mining laws provided that mineral deposits on federal land were open to exploration and purchase to the person who found them. Mining laws became more complex as uses for a wider variety of types of minerals developed. Today, claims can still be staked out or located for “hardrock” minerals such as gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc. Other minerals such as oil, natural gas and phosphate can be leased and the resources extracted. Common minerals such as sand, gravel and building stone are sold by the ton or cubic yard. Only hard rock mining occurred at Mineral Ridge. Miners came from the East and from the California gold fields when gold was discovered at Prichard, north of Wallace, in 1881. The first recorded claims were filed on Mineral Ridge in1891. Many people would call this a mine shaft, but that is incorrect. A shaft is a vertical or inclined excavation. This excavation is horizontal and is properly referred to as a prospect, or if a mine had been developed, an adit. Where an adit is extended through a mountain so it has an opening on each end, it is called a tunnel. A “mine” is an excavation where mineral deposits, or ore, are extracted. Ore was never found and extracted from this site so it is considered a prospect. A prospect is any shaft, pit, drift, or drill hole used to determine if an area warrants development of a mine.

Columbus Tree

Station 14
This ponderosa pine was killed by western pine beetles in 1974. It was more than 480 years old and probably the second oldest tree on Mineral Ridge. The tree was alive when Columbus sailed to North America and was nicknamed the Columbus Tree. For several years, it stood as a dead tree, or snag. Snags provide valuable habitat for many wildlife species. For small animals, such as insects, snags serve as cover and places for feeding and homes. Insects, in turn, provide food for other animals. Snags are used for feeding, nesting, roosting and perching by a variety of bird species. Some birds use existing cavities in the snags for their nests while others excavate and create nesting cavities in the soft wood. The importance of snags for perching is exemplified by how bald eagles use snags on Mineral Ridge. Each winter, eagles visit this area to feed on kokanee salmon. Eagles perch on snags along the shoreline watching for salmon. Snags are easier to fly from and land on than living trees. Mammals also use cavities in snags for dens or as resting or escape cover. Areas under loose bark are used by bats for roosting.

In October 1991, the area experienced unusually high winds exceeding 60 miles per hour. Many trees, including the Columbus Tree, were blown over. Several fell across powerlines igniting fires that were driven by the extreme winds into huge fire-storms. Ironically, the high winds that toppled the Columbus Tree occurred just a few days after Columbus Day on October 12.