Ramsdell admitted he had had enough with flumes but when asked why he did it he said “Well, I figured if men worth $25 million apiece could risk their lives, I could too.” The collision sent all four flume riders sailing in different directions far from shore. The second dugout started 60 seconds after the first and caught up to it just as they reached the mill pond. He admitted to being scared beyond all belief. “The terror of that ride,” Ramsdell wrote, “can never be blotted from my memory.” He recalled hanging in midair with no support while the mountains rushed by. They rode in hollowed out logs, the reporter and one of his hosts in the first, the other host and a logger (for ballast) in the second. Fair and James Flood, major owners of Comstock’s properties. Ramsdell was offered to “ride the flume” which he accepted on the condition his hosts join him. These logs came down at incredible speed to the mill pond at Huffaker’s in the valley below Mt. He was well entertained and escorted in style through mines and the 15-mile long V-shaped flume where the massive logs came from the Sierra. Ramsdell west to research the new found wealth in the Comstock.
One of the best, and most horrific stories of flume riding comes from the Tales of the Golden West’s article “Journalist Would Never Forget Ride Down Comstock Flume” by Joe Smith. “The men of the Banner Mill on Prosser Creek rode the Go-Devils on payday nights in their eagerness to be out of the pine forests and down to the railroad, which they rode up to Truckee and its exciting bright lights and night-life.”Some of the more interesting rides would have the ‘logger boat’ flying off the flume endpoint at an exorbitant height and speed where the passengers needed to make sure they ejected from the log before the log hit the water and they were safe and far from where the log would land. “The Go-Devils were used to carry tools, supplies, and construction materials, and it has been well established that the men often used them for fast transportation.” The V-flumes in Verdi, Crystal Peak, Dog Creek and Prosser Creek areas were V-shaped “Go-Devils” constructed by lumbermen. V-Flumes ran for miles, winding down canyons and often shooting straight down steep slopes. Including lunch or dinner only made the date that much more special. It was the fastest way to get them help.Ī very ‘trendy’ date night would include asking your date to walk with you along the flumes, especially at 100 feet above ground at the highest trestle points (which have no railing … but you are in a shallow flume), to show how much you cared for her and how bold and courageous you were. V-flumes were used to transport logs, lumber, working material and supplies but they were also used to transport people and for entertainment.Ī sick or injured person from the mountains would many times be placed in a “flume boat” and sent to the valley, sometimes alone and sometimes with family or friends in attendance, for medical treatment. There is a $5 suggested donation to support Sierra State Parks Foundation.
#Oldest log flume ride series
Most of the theming has since been removed, with various remnants still visible.ĭespite its age, El Aserradero remains to be a popular family-friendly attraction at the park, particularly during hot Texas summers.To learn more about the history of flume riding, tune in to Sierra State Parks Foundation’s final speaker series of the year featuring Judy DePuy and the incredible sport of flume riding. Six Flags over Texas added theming and animated characters to the flumes in the 1970s, such as lumberjacks sawing logs. In fact, the original ride proved to be so popular that a second flume was added in 1968, and the flumes have been referred to as “flume 1” and “flume 2” ever since.Įach flume has two conveyor belt lift hills: the initial hill that provides the elevation needed to float through most of the course, and a second larger lift that sets riders up for the finale - the large drop generating a bigger splash. The first log flume ride ever created, El Aserradero has been delighting guests since its introduction to the Mexico & Spain area in 1963. Lagoons are under several segments of the flumeĮl Aserradero 'The Sawmill' in Spanish - or simply the log ride as it’s known to most guests and employees - is one of the oldest and most historically significant rides at Six Flags over Texas.
0 kommentar(er)
