Coolest by far for me is the McMillan mine at the headwaters of the Huerfano River, toward the bottom of the north face of Blanca Peak. About 1/2 mile before you get to the mine is where they processed the ore, leaving behind a boiler, ore grinder and sluice. A large stack of wood for the boiler sits nearby. They hand-hauled a mile of thick steel cable to operate a bucket lift from the mine to the processor.
I was young and even more foolish, but a few of us entered the mine many years ago, before cell phones and the like. We went back about 200 feet to a large room that had partially collapsed. The fallen timbers had a strange, white, almost rubbery looking finger-like growth all over them. There was another tunnel overhead that you could glimpse through holes that had fallen in the upper floor. Narrow gauge tracks were on the floor, with ice water running down them at your feet. It was a creepy place.it was abandoned around 1900 because the owner never showed up in the Spring to start it up. I believe it has been sealed now.
Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
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painless4u2
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
Bad decisions often make good stories.
IPAs + Ambien = "14ers" post (Bill M.)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
IPAs + Ambien = "14ers" post (Bill M.)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
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blazintoes
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
A bed up on The Palisade in Gateway!
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highpilgrim
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
Here's a view from the other end...and a link to a story about it. https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/ ... silverton/
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Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
Hunter S Thompson
Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
Dick Derkase
Hunter S Thompson
Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
Dick Derkase
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supranihilest
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
I want to know what lunatic built that yellow arrow (and the strange red circle thing), because that may be Colorado's tallest mountain/mining structure.
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highpilgrim
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
You a fuuuny guy.supranihilest wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 3:58 pm I want to know what lunatic built that yellow arrow (and the strange red circle thing), because that may be Colorado's tallest mountain/mining structure.
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
Hunter S Thompson
Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
Dick Derkase
Hunter S Thompson
Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
Dick Derkase
Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
Who the f!ck is highpilgrim and how the hell did he find his way onto the forum?!highpilgrim wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 4:05 pmYou a fuuuny guy.supranihilest wrote: ↑Tue Mar 25, 2025 3:58 pm I want to know what lunatic built that yellow arrow (and the strange red circle thing), because that may be Colorado's tallest mountain/mining structure.
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highpilgrim
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
Just a wayward pilgrim paying for the indiscretions of his youth...
Bill was kind enough to reset my password.
Good to see that on the .com, some things remain...constant, Mr. Baker.
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
Hunter S Thompson
Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
Dick Derkase
Hunter S Thompson
Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
Dick Derkase
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two lunches
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
holy moly what year is it!
nice to see you comrade pilgrim--
nice to see you comrade pilgrim--
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
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two lunches
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Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
to infinity and beyond!
Bull Hill A
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
Re: Coolest mining ruins you've ran into?
It's not on an -eener, but the Hanging Flume is the coolest of the minig ruins I've seen in Colorado.
https://coyotegulch.blog/2017/04/24/dol ... ing-flume/
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https://coyotegulch.blog/2017/04/24/dol ... ing-flume/
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I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
