Historical CO Mining Trails?

[theMayor]

Needing help finding some trails in CO with remnants of mining history. My father is a huge history buff and will be visiting me in Denver next month for a weekend. I want to take him out to some mines.

I tried TrailDamage.com, but it is hard to siphon through all the trails in the state.

I was told Argentine Pass had a neat mine, but I went today and all I saw was a dirt mound with some pipes and possibly a roof sticking out of it. I'm looking for more...

 

[RonJR]

Best ones are down in the San Juans, around Ouray and Silverton. There are some great mines just off of Red Mountain pass. There are also a lot of mines to see just above Creede.

Closer to Denver, check out
- area around Central City
- area above Keystone/Montezuma, and over towards Breckenridge. Deer Creek, Swan River trails.

Also, for great history check out the old railroad lines. The Moffat Road that runs west of Rollinsville above the Moffat Tunnel is a great historical and scenic journey. Another great one is the Alpine tunnel area SW of Buena Vista, where the old Denver South Park and Pacific ran. Further south (south of Monarch pass), Marshall Pass has a lot of railroad history as well.

 

[RonJR]

One I should have specifically added is the "O My God" road between Idaho Springs and Central City. In spite of the name, it's mostly passenger car friendly (dirt), but has some great views as it climbs from Idaho Spgs right up out of Clear Creek canyon. Once you get up on top you start getting into the Central City mining district, and there are lots of old mines and structures to look at along the way.

Can be a bit tricky to find w/o a good map, but ask any local in Idaho Spgs and they should be able to direct you to the road. Once you get on it it's easy to follow.

Central City itself is a good place for a history buff. The casinos are much more laid back than in Black Hawk down the hill, and there are lots of historical buildings. There's a museum in town that can give you a good picture of life there during the gold boom days. There's also an old "boot hill" cemetery which is worth a look.

 

[theMayor]

Nice! I hadn't even looked at Central City. But I will now!

Red Mountain Pass looks exactly like what I'm looking for, though. So thanks!



Do you happen to know any on the railway trails you mentioned?

 

[RonJR]

There's a good mine on the east side of Hancock Pass which is south of Buena Vista on the old Alpine Tunnel route, just past St. Elmo.

Probably the best old mine that I've seen in the state is the Champion Mill up Half Moon Creek west of Leadville. (same road as the Mt. Evans trailhead). Google "Champion Mill Colorado" for more info. It's off and on been closed off to the public, but I think you can drive fairly close now and walk to it.
4X4Explore.com - Champion Mine

It's been a long time since I've been to some of these places. You're making me want to head out tomorrow and revisit them.

 

[theMayor]

Champion Mill looks beautiful! I was going to take him to Aspen/ Maroon Bells on his last day in town, so that is a great trail location that we can hit up on the way back! Thanks!