A lingering patch of snow hugs the base of a stone cabin at Great Sierra Mines on Gaylor Lake
June 5, 2018 - Since he was a teenager, hiking has been a passion for Tony Krizan, a local adventurer, author and photographer who has spent more than 30 years hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Krizan will share his hiking experiences to the Great Sierra Mines and other mines in the area at a special workshop scheduled at the Oakhurst Branch Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 9, 2018. The library is located at 49044 Civic Circle Dr., Oakhurst.
Along with stories about his local adventures to various mines in the Sierras, Krizan will punctuate his talk with a slide show presentation of photos taken on his trips.
A stone lodge that once accommodated miners languishes on the side of a mountain at about 10,000 feet
According to Krizan, “we’ll travel back in time and visit areas around Tioga Pass Road in the1860’s where the Great Sierra Mines and Dana City (now a ghost town) generated more than $300,000 dollars in gold and silver – just a small portion of this gold-bearing area.”
“And, for an added bonus, the climbing of three separate peaks, one of which is named Mount Dana and exceeds 13,000 feet, will be introduced in pictures,” he added.
Krizan’s presentation will end with the mines along Lake Canyon or the Lundy Mine area. After the presentation, books Krizan wrote detailing his hiking experiences will be available for purchase.
Rusting vestiges of mining equipment decorate the landscape at Lundy Mine in the Sierras
After relocating to Southern California from Ohio where he was born, Krizan said Lockheed Aircraft, General Motors, theater arts, music and Real Estate “seasoned” his life skills.
“During my productive working years, I always allocated time to hike in the Sierra Mountains. Writing for the Sierra Star newspaper helped hone those skills, so I could share my private hiking moments in our California Mountains,” he continued.
An old wooden dam that controlled water for past mining operations deteriorates in the afternoon sun
The free workshop is sponsored by the Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library and will be held in the library’s Community Room. For more information, call the library at (559) 683-4838 or visit www.oakhurstfobl.com.
Photos Courtesy of Tony Krizan
