Black Cat Mine, Ione, NV

Out in the Great Basin, prospectors looked far and wide for a workable claim, and usually started with a rugged cabin of some sort when they staked out a promising one. This long abandoned dugout marked some workings near the town of Ione, Nevada. I was riding shotgun when I spotted this old place, did a quick field sketch so as not to test the patience of the driver, and we went on down the highway. Later I did this one after some intermediary field work and studying.