June 2005

Cranberry Iron Mine

Our large group was in for a treat (or a trick, depending on your tolerance of dark, cold, drippy-wet holes in the ground) when we were fortunate enough to tour the Cranberry Mine. This is the first time we've been in the mine since it was closed several years ago by the park service to allow overwintering bats to remain undisturbed. A chainlink fence outside and an elaborate people-proof gate inside pretty much allow the bats to have the place to themselves. The gate you're seeing allows bats to fly in and out of the mine, but keeps out the locals on their ATVs. And keeps out the convention-goers too. Unless you have a park service guide along with a key. Stray too long and get behind the group and that gate would keep you in for a long time, although some younger visitors confessed to me that they had gotten around the gate by floating on a raft in a water-filled side tunnel on a lower level. I'd hate to think that was the only way I could get out though.

That's Tony Koester climbing thru the small opening in the gate to go with us deeper into the mine. A few folks with a touch of claustraphobia stayed outside while the majority went on into the mine. Only a few went all the way to the back of the mine as it was pretty muddy this year. Needless to say, my shoes were muddy when I came out. I consider the mine to be one of the highlights of the area as it figured so prominently in the growth of the railroad, and was the main reason for the existence of the ET&WNC.