Kimshan Mining



Cabin and Old Pier at Kimshan, Chichagof Island

We had stayed the night at Klag Bay and did a little more exploring in the morning.  

Cabin and Beach at Kimshan

Departing at 11:30am we continued northwest traveling through Smooth Channel and Ogden Passage, arriving in Kimshan Cove on Chichagof Island, the site of another mining village called Kimshan, Chinese for “Gold Mountain.”  After anchoring in the cove we went ashore to see the cabin along the water’s edge not expecting to see much more.  

Got d' Fever anchored at Kimshan Cove

As we hiked up the river bed and through the trees, to our surprise we came upon several houses still intact.  From what we could tell by the construction of the houses, the items left inside, and the mining equipment in the area, the period appeared to be the 1940’s and 1950’s. 

Mining Equipment found in the Forest at Kimshan

Moss and trees were starting to bury much of the mining equipment left behind in the forest.  We could see a pile of tailings further up the hill and hoped this would lead us to the mine entrance.  

Old Mining Equipment, Kimshan

As we continued to climb, we kept seeing small flat white boxes scattered throughout the forest, what was this all about?  

Cabins still intact at Kimshan

We came over the crest of the hill and found dozens of these white boxes filled with ore samples and saw a train of ore cars overgrown by alder trees, pay dirt! 

White Boxes filled with Ore Samples

A few feet beyond was the entrance to the mine, there was no gate covering the small opening but a large white DANGER sign did a good job of keeping us from entering what looked to be an entrance ready to collapse at any moment.  We made our way back down the hill following what appeared to be an old trail to the waterfront scrambling through the berry bushes.  

Ore Cars at Kimshan Mine Site

We didn’t linger since we saw fresh bear scat and heard a rustle in the bushes not far away.  

A Train of Ore Cars among the alders at Kimshan Mine Site

From Kimshan Cove we motored through Surveyor Passage with an opening no wider than 20 yards, we soon spotted two recognizable creatures, wow, humans!  Where did they come from?  They must be part of a kayak group or camping group that hiked across the narrow spit of land from Black Bay just behind the Passage.  

Danger Sign in front of Kimshan Mine Entrance

The Passage later opened into Portlock Harbor, so named after Captain Nathanial Portlock, leader of an Alaskan expedition with two sailing ships in 1787.  

A scary looking Mine Entrance, Kimshan

Got d' Fever at Kimshan Cove

At Portlock Harbor we entered Goulding Harbor and anchored in Baker Cove for the night, all part of the intricate water ways along the west coast of Chichagof Island.  Still no bear sightings in the wild, only bear scat, deer, and the occasional human found along the shore from kayak expeditions.