The Trek in a snapshot
GPS Coordinates are for Trek Planner Insiders only
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Experience. Discover. Explore.
Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!
THIS MINE IS NOW CLOSED!
The Utah Department of Natural Resources has closed this mine. I visited this mine on November 12, 2014 and there was a concrete wall sealing it.
I will leave this trek up for reference purposes only.
You will see many different side paths as you go to the mine. Check out the Trail Map for a detailed map of the trail. The mine usually has puddles so bring shoes you don’t mind getting a little wet.
Please ALWAYS exercise caution when entering a cave or mine.
This is named Grist Mill Mine due to the grist mill operated by Farmington citizens back when the city was first being established.
From the parking lot follow the asphalt path that is on the south side. The asphalt path leads you to the bridge crossing which you must cross to the other side.
Then the trail winds around some residential houses and you want to travel in an east direction. Even though there are many side trails, stay on the ones that keep leading you east towards the canyon entrance.
You will be following the Farmington Creek below for the entire 1/2 mile to the mine.
The trail will make its way by an old aqueduct system where there are still large concrete barriers in the trail. Follow this path until you come to a small man made crossing where there is a concrete water gate structure on the left hand side and a dry stream bed on the right side.
Keep heading east and the trail will drop down in elevation and then climb back up another 50 feet or so before you approach the pile of mine tailings.
Just around the corner from the mine tailings is the actual mine itself.
I found this old pick stuck in a rock.
The mine goes in for about 150 feet or so and you do not need to crouch much. It feels good inside when you come here on summer days. You will most likely encounter water puddles from the water seeping in from the roof and sides.
There is graffiti on the walls in some parts as well. I explored this mine back when I only had a small flashlight from walmart…
Historical Photographs:
While at the library doing research about Davis County I found this interesting photograph of the Grist Mill in Farmington. This is one of the only photographs I have seen of this structure.
Source: A Brief History of Davis County to 1890 – Leonard
Inside Grist Mill Mine
Personal Thoughts
This is a fun place to explore and bring people who are new to mine exploring. I have heard reports that this is a uranium mining prospect (but not likely). After doing some research it sounds like this mine is a copper mine just like most of the others in the Farmington Canyon Mining Complex.
I was SO PISSED when they ruined this great place by sealing it off. It wasn’t dangerous; the main reason they did it was because they get paid to and it was low-hanging fruit. Is there any was at all to reopen a closed mine?
I was the same way Sam! I couldn’t believe they spent all that time and money to close this relatively harmless adit. I think this one is on Forest Service land so if someone wanted to open it they would have to do a petition and get a mining claim going but I doubt the Forest Service would go for it. The entrance is sealed with concrete blocks and some rebar though.
So you have to do a mining claim even if you’re not planning to do any actual mining? How much does that cost? I was planning on doing a petition on change.org but I was having password issues. Now that I saw the page on Farmington Canyon Mine I really want that one opened again too, I never got a chance to explore that one!
Can we continue this conversation in a private message? I have a lot more to discuss with this.