Flag Rock + Patsy's Mine and Steam Shovel

Patsy’s mine is back open again. Bring a flashlight to explore. The mine goes into the rock for 150 feet. It was dug with steam power at the turn of the century over a 20 year period by Patsy Morley, an Irish prizefighter. He hiked every day from Farmington’s Main street certain he was about to hit a rich silver vein…then one day he mysteriously disappeared.

This hike is rated as moderate. There are steep sections.

Flag Rock has an American flag that was placed in memory of the emergency personnel who perished on 9/11. The climb is symbolic of the climb the rescuers took up the Twin Towers since the elevators were not usable. The height of the valley floor to the flag is the same height as the Twin Towers.

We will hike up to Flag Rock via the steeper Patsy's Mine trail. On the way, we will take a detour to the steam shovel. It is interesting to ponder how a heavy iron boiler was hauled so high up the mountainside.

After taking a break at the flag, we'll descend via the Flag Rock trail. This trail has numerous switchbacks and is less steep and slippery than Patsy's Mine trail. Above the Firebreak road, we'll turn south to complete the loop.

The total distance is about 5 miles and it should take around 3 hours (depending on how much time we spend at each stop). The elevation gain is approximately 1500'.