Cryo-Genie Mine (Cryogenie Mine; Cindy B-Cryogenie claim; Lost Valley Truck Trail prospect)

The Cryo-G Genie Mine is nestled in the scenic hills of Warner Springs, a small, rural community in northern San Diego County, California. It's about 2 miles north-northwest of Warner Springs, making it accessible yet secluded, near landmarks like Palomar Observatory and Warner's Ranch, which add historical and scientific interest to the area.

This mine is a treasure trove for mineral enthusiasts, primarily known for its vibrant pink and green tourmaline crystals. It also yields quartz, microcline, albite (in its cleavelandite variety), and the rare manganocolumbite. Geologically, it's a pegmatite dike, about 10 feet thick and over 200 feet long, dipping westward at 30 degrees, and is estimated to be 98-89 million years old, formed within metasedimentary rocks and biotite granite.

Operated by the Gochecour brothers and associates from the 1990s to early 2000s, the mine produced some of the finest tourmaline specimens in San Diego County. It was a small, privately run operation focusing on high-quality mineral specimens, but it is now closed and inaccessible, adding to the rarity of its finds.

Warner Springs boasts a rich cultural tapestry, from its indigenous Cupeño roots to its role in the Spanish colonial era and the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route. The Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers, supports a diverse ecosystem, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and camping, enhancing the mine's appeal.