This Hodge workings are some of the oldest and largest in southern California. The mines are noted for their native gold in wide, rich veins. The Hodge has also historically been known as the Roosevelt, Hodges, Sante Fe and/or Rainbow. The property is a collection of mines that have been compiled under the umbrella of Hodge. The Granddaddy, and many others are noted in historic reports and are all contained now on the Hodge group of claims. A series of targeted adits shoot up the entire canyon. The original workings appear to be very old and the mines were accessed via foot and burros. The mines have never been operated with rails, ore cars or other modern means. The burro trails are still navigable and in good repair. It is possible that a gravity tram system may have been used in the later years of the mine, allowing for production from the furthermost mines on the claim. The mine likely began production in the mid 1700s and was worked by Spanish miners and forced labor. This assertion based on the claim workings, tunnel cuts, access to the mines and the methods used to open up the upper workings. The upper shafts were not cut with steel and drills, but by old fire/breaking methods, attacking the vein and weakest point of the rock and digging out ore from that point. Very little waste, all high grade workings. You can drive a full size truck to the main mine camp on the claim. Most of the actual workings on the claim will require a hike. The mines have never been commercially worked, only high graded. As a result, the mines are connected by a series of donkey trails and foot paths. The The claim is located approximately 21 miles out of Blythe, California, which has all of the needed amenities. An old 7 stamp mill used to stand near the base of the canyon, and in 1945 it was reportedly so old that wooden dowels were used as connecting rods and the machine was driven by steam. The old stamp has long since vanished, all that is left is the walls of an intricate stone house. Near the stone house, at the base of the claim, there are plenty of large open spaces that you can fit as much equipment and vehicles that you may need. Near the base of the canyon and near the mine workings the space for parking becomes more limited.