Today we went on a hike up to one of the old stamping mills used in the mining boom between 1890 and 1906.
The trail begins at The Tinhorn Creek Vineyard and the first kilometre or so is through the vineyard.
At the top of the vineyard there are two fences you have to go over, this one is the snake fence, the hillside beyond the fence is home to the Pacific Rattlesnake. The next fence is electrified and you go through a special gate, not sure what they are keeping out, bears and cougars I suppose.
Now above the fences and the trail proper starts here, up the side of this hillside. The walk up the hillside was quite steep, a bigger danger of falling than being bitten or eaten by the wild animals.
At the top, this view looking south down the valley Osoyoos Lake can just be seen in the distance.
Looking east, Mount Baldy can just be seen, snow still on the top
Looking back down the trail, quite a height above the valley.
The trail runs along this plateau to the ruins of one of the stamp mills. The information board at the parking says there where seven of these mills in the hills breaking up the rock that came out of the mines.
This looks like the footings for the stamping machine, the ore would have come down the hill in a shoot to fall in the cavity and this great hammer thing would have constantly hammered away at it until it was gravel size, to be then carted away to the smelter
Remains of a chimney
The stamping mill is situated in this lovely glade, 110 years ago this would have a really dirty noisy place. 
There is a cart track running across this meadow, the outline can just be seen, we think this goes to Fairview. The road used to carry away the ore?
Maybe tomorrow we will go to Fairview and see if we can find where it comes out.
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