Ghost Towns

I am fascinated about the mining history of Colorado in the late 1800's.  Another one of my passions is exploring old ghost towns.  These are towns that once were  very vibrant during the mining of days of 1880 and 1890.  The scenery around these areas is incredible.  A 4x4 vehicle is required to access a majority of these old towns, however, many can be reached by regular passenger car .  In just makes you marvel at how the miners of yesteryear managed.

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The pictures above are from Alta, which is near Telluride.  Gold was discovered in 1878.  Elevation is 11,800 feet.

These pictures are from Animas Forks.  Animas Forks, north of Silverton was active in1875.  It was bragged as "the largest city in the world at this altitude".  Elevation is 11,300 feet.

These are from Red Mountain, which is also north of Silverton.  Population in the early boom years (late 1870's) was estimated at 10,000.

Smuggler,  near Ouray.  Had a peak population of 200 - 300 people.  Mine closed in 1928.

Summit.  Summit was a stage and railroad stop between Ouray and Silverton.

Virginius.  Virginius is near Ouray, and was the predecessor to the Camp Bird Mine.  Population was about 400 in the 1880's and 1890's.  Elevation 12,300 feet.

Getting there . . .

The above is Black Bear Pass.  It goes between Ouray and Silverton.  Black Bear is considered the most dangerous pass in Colorado.  Elevation is 12,800 feet.  It is an old wagon trail to the Black Bear Mine.  The road has been in use for more than 100 years.

Black Bear Pass heading out of Telluride looking back at the power station.  The old power station and Bridal Veil Falls are on the east end of Telluride.

The above is Schofield Pass.  It was built in 1883 as a wagon trail.  It goes between Crested Butte and Marble.  While the above Black Bear Pass is the most dangerous, Schofield Pass is the deadliest.  At last report, 12 have died.