The Canyon (p2)
Its hard for a camera to capture the scope of the Quincy Creek canyon. Standing there in the stream bed, with the rising walls all around you, is much more awe inspiring then photos can capture. In an attempt to capture it, I took an experimental panoramic image. This image is a little rougher then most I have featured on this site, and tries something a little different. Instead of sitting in one spot and spinning around in a circle, I stood in one spot and covered in area straight ahead of me. These images are from looking straight down into the water, to gazing up to the canyon walls high above me. The result is the panoramic featured here.
The physical distortion inherent in these photos does not give the canyon walls justice, but believe me when I say they were much more impressive in person. Enjoy.

I think that you should make a calendar of the pictures that you get during different times of the year and like set up a booth at a craft show or something. Many people would love to buy them for gifts! My sister would love to buy something like that because she doesnt live in the copper country any more so if she had a calendar or something its like a little peice of her home brought with her. I especially like the photos of the canyon, they are really artistic and clear! Its like you are standing right there.
Natalie | November 10, 2006
Gee Nat, your sure leaving the comments! Thanks a bunch. As for calendars, I hope to offer things such as that at some time in the future. Right now I’m just working on getting the website (and all these panoramics) looking the best I can.
Thanks again for your comments Natalie. You rock!
explorer | November 11, 2006
Ah, so this place does have a name! A friend took me to the Dredge and adjacent ruins where we did some filming of the interior. I was curious where the square shaft underground went to since a river was running through it, and after hopping quite a few steep hills I came across some exposed sections of ruins which led to this beautiful stream with these tall rocks. We were there in early fall so the black rock and clear water juxtaposed with the yellow leaves and deep green moss was breathtaking. Experiences like that can’t be captured on film or camera like actually being there can do, but your image does a great job
Don | December 13, 2006
Thanks Don. Your right, photos and videos hardly do justice to this canyon and the river, both seem almost surreal when your down in the canyon yourself. The first time I saw it was years ago in college, and discovering it then was an amazing experience. A must see for anyone visiting the copper country in my opinion.
explorer | December 13, 2006
First, great site - lots of history with details I didn’t pick up when I was there…..
This little creek was one of favorite hiding spots - I never ran into anybody else when I went back in there. We found this by accident, much like Don did, following the square conduit back. The one thing you didn’t capture was the rocks (boulders) that had the water courses cut right down through the middle - that was my favorite feature of this creek.
I’m showing my age on this one, but when I was up there, there was the remains of a railroad trestle going across the canyon very close to where the creek disappears into the square conduit. The odd thing from an engineering perspective was that the west half was in pretty good shape, and you could walk out over the canyon if you dared (basically a 4″ balance beam scenario). The other half was rotted to next to nothing, and you’d have to be dead flat crazy to even consider walking on that. I never could come up with a good explanation of the different corrosion rates, but the view was spectacular from up there.
Last, if you follow the creek beyond the little dam you’ll work your up through a series of sandstone races to waterfall that’s about 15-20′ tall. Always fun, since it was always deserted.
Ray Giroux | January 29, 2007
Ray - No trestle anymore, but the approaches are still there with makeshift barricades made from old rails. As far as that second waterfall, we got that far as well. Unfortunately large sections of the canyon wall had fallen down there since your visit creating a large mess of debris almost blocking the entire canyon. Even in that state, however, that second waterfall was amazing as well.
explorer | January 29, 2007
There are all kinds of little hidden treasures in the area. I know that if you follow Old Colony Road east out of town, there is a trail that leads to a canyon on the left hand side. Jutting out from one of the “canyon” sides was what we called the natural wall. Very interesting natural formation.
Also Houghton Douglas falls were always one of my favorite places to bring visitors as well. In the summer we always had a ball climbing up and down the sides of the falls.
Jay | February 9, 2007
Jay - Yes, the natural wall. In fact today’s Pastycam picture features the very same subject. As was mentioned on the site, it sits on private property (which if you think of it most of the copper country sits on private property) so some day I’ll have to find out who to contact to get our cameras down there to take a look ourselves. Same holds true for Douglas Houghton falls, which closed to the public shortly after I started college at Tech.
explorer | February 9, 2007
Mike, where exactly is Quincy Creek Canyon?
Jay Balliet | July 30, 2007
Nevermind, I figured it out on the Quincy Stamp Mill page.
I’ve explored almost every bit of your site, but didn’t read all the comments. So now I have to go look for those hoping to learn more.
Jay Balliet | July 30, 2007
Jay…
I guess I’m a little too slow at responding to comments, is that what your trying to say? Anyway, I highly recommend checking out the canyon (and all along the creek for that matter) it’s by far some of the most awe inspiring sights we have seen so far around the CC. Getting down into the gorge is a little tuff though, you have to craw down the old fill used by the railroad - its rather steep and slippery. But once you get down there its amazing…
explorer | July 30, 2007
Nah, you’re not too slow. I ran across this late last night while browsing the comments people made. I then ran across the Quincy Stamp Mill this morning.
Jay Balliet | July 30, 2007