A -W i d e- look at the Quicksilver County Park

[fish]

I took the opportunity to stroll up to my favorite local park the other day and do some shooting with an ultra wide angle zoom. Yes, you've seen this place in some of my previous shots, and you'll undoubtedly see it again in the future. I'm going to keep shooting there until I get it right. :D

The Almaden Quicksilver County Park (http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/santaclara/alm.htm) was the site of a series of mercury mines used to support the gold rush in the California Motherlode. In the 70's it was designated a superfund site. Here are some details about the contamination from the California Department of Toxic Substances:

Mercury mining and ore processing were conducted by a number of different entities at the New Almaden mining district from 1845 to 1975. Mercury occurs primarily in the mineral cinnabar (mercury sulfide). Mercury was extracted by heating the ore in retorts and furnaces to volatilize the mercury which was then condensed to liquid mercury. Processed ore (calcines) from the furnaces and retorts was dumped near the processing areas. All mining related operations ceased in 1975 when Santa Clara County purchased the property for use as a park. The final remedial action focused on calcines at five separate areas within the park: the Mine Hill area, the Hacienda Furnace Yard, the Enriquita Mine Retort, the San Mateo Mine Retort, and Senator Mine. The highest total mercury concentration found during the remedial investigation was 1,700 milligrams per kilogram in an individual sample from the Enriquita Mine Retort. Average total mercury concentrations for the five areas ranged from 39 to 420 milligrams per kilogram. The site remedy consisted of on-site containment measures which prevented human exposure and further release to surface waters. The primary components of the remedy were vegetated soil covers and a 1500-foot long rock and wire mesh barrier which was constructed at the Hacienda Furnace Yard along the bank of Alamitos Creek. Long-term maintenance of the soil covers and barrier will be performed. Surface water monitoring is also required under the monitoring program established for the Site to comply with federal stormwater discharge regulations administered by the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). A five-Year Review of the remediation activities conducted in the Hacienda Furnace Yard area was completed by DTSC in February 2002. DTSC concluded that the remedial actions implemented at the site remain protective of human health and the environment. The soil cap has been effective in preventing human exposure to mercury at the site. Erosion control measures have also been successful in limiting erosion of the pile and minimizing sediment loading into Alamitos Creek. Five-Year Reviews for the Mine Hill Area, Enriquita Mine Retort and the San Mateo Mine Retort was completed by DTSC in November 2003. Additional areas within the park may be releasing mercury contamination to surface waters. RWQCB continues to work on the Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury issues.
Enjoy the Quicksilver County Park in 10mm:

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15381272-L.jpg



http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15299584-L.jpg



http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15299763-L-1.jpg



http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15299847-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15300130-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15299942-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15300027-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15299697-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15300231-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15300175-L.jpg



http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15300309-L.jpg




http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/15299987-L.jpg

There are supposed to be ruins of the mines up further into the park, but I've never hiked that far (several miles). I'll try to get up there this spring, if my legs hold out.

[wxwax]

You use a polarizer?

[GREAPER]

Nice Pics Fish, It looks like a great place to hike with lots of possibilities.

I like the one of the game trail leading under the fence best.

[fish]

You use a polarizer? no, but i've got one in my bag that i'll take up there next time to play around with.

[fish]

Nice Pics Fish, It looks like a great place to hike with lots of possibilities.

I like the one of the game trail leading under the fence best.

There were dozens of deer trails like that all over the place. I didn't walk up any of them, because if I were a mountain lion, those trails would be the places I'd hang out.
:yikes

We're incredibly lucky to live so close to such a fantastic resource.

Thanks for the comments, greap!

[GREAPER]

You dont have to worry, I dont think mountain lions eat fish. I think cats dont care for the water.... :D

[wxwax]

no, but i've got one in my bag that i'll take up there next time to play around with.
Interesting, because you got such a nice deep blue in the skies.

[dkapp]

That place looks like fun. I've never heard of it until now. That few mile hike may be good practice for Yosemite.

If you want someone to hike with, let me know. Looks like they allow dogs, so I'll have a sherpa.

Dave

[fish]

Interesting, because you got such a nice deep blue in the skies.
It was a gorgeous day, captured through gorgeous glass.

[fish]

If you want someone to hike with, let me know. Looks like they allow dogs, so I'll have a sherpa.

Dave

You're going to bring Waximony with you? :lol3

[Andy]

You're going to bring Waximony with you? :lol3 not without a signed release from me, he isn't.

very nice wa, fishmonger. that 10-22 is something,eh?

[Tim Kirkwood]

Fish these are great thanks so much for sharing. I cant wait for some warm weather here and get all this snow melted off:D