He recently had the privilege of interviewing the only remaining miner who worked here and he told us numerous personal stories. There is fascinating history involving this dredge and the dredging work done here and our tour guide had all the facts. This is a view of the dredge from the parking lot. There was an older couple workamping at the dredge and the husband gave us a personal tour. It’s the last weekend of the season and we weren’t expecting any docents but we lucked out!

It was raining off and on and by the time we got there, the temperature had dropped dramatically. We climbed further into the mountains via highway 7 to highway 410 to the town of Sumpter and the park. This side of John Day has cows and barns too.

I could imagine how difficult it would be to make the trip in a covered wagon. I was hoping for some specific details about the Oregon Trail but all it had was information about businesses in the area.Ī magnificent view. We stopped at an overlook with a giant covered wagon. Today we’re driving west on highway 26, through the little town of Prairie City on our way to The Sumpter Valley Dredge State Historic Park and Granite Ghost Town beyond.Īs the road started climbing toward the mountains. What consumes seven yards of dirt a minute, leaving only gravel behind while taking it’s pond with it?

Hand dredges allowed in maine gold?