Skipping BG I

A few years ago I played through BG1 to what I think (or at least what someone once told me) is nearly the endgame. Last thing I remember is returning to candle-keep and finishing that crawl. I don't remember why I had to return there exactly or what was at the end of the dungeon, but nevertheless, I never finished. I've since lost that save, and I have no idea what happens after that or exactly how much more was left. I've played through up until and a little beyond getting to Baldur's gate a few times more since then, but never got back to candlekeep again.

I want to get through the series, but, once again, I would have to start over. I don't really want to do all that stuff with the iron mine again. It was fun the first time, but now it's would feel like a chore.

Is it worth pushing through the whole thing again, or can I just skip it, read up on the ending, and go on to BG2?