twotone's Colorado trip.
- Thread starter twotonevert
- Start date
I went were they allowed us to go, we had to self guide. All the park guided tours were sold out.
In 1977 I spent a summer in Grand Junction, I was 10 years old and it was one of the best summers of my childhood. Growing up in West Texas one can only imagine how cool million dollar highway, Grand Mesa and the rest of the Rockies was. Thanks for the pics.
The last two pics of my last post and these first couple are of test shafts. They would start digging to follow a quartz vein. The vein contained the silver, gold, copper, whatever they were looking for. When the vein ended, the quit digging and started over somewhere else. The last picture is what is left of the old mine owned boarding house. The mill ran 24/7 with 12 hour shifts. Men would sleep while others mined, then they would rotate, most shared rooms so there was always someone in the bed. A very hard life indeed. Oh, and the small wood structure with Eureka on it is what is left of the old water tower. The railroad used to run all the way to Animas Forks, but with WWII coming on and in full swing, the railway was pulled up and the steel was donated to the government for the war effort. You can still see the old railway ties, but this is one reason they do not still mine this area. New EPA laws and the cost of building a new railway make it cost prohibitive, but there is still 80 to 90% of the original ore still left in these mountains.
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A few small mines. These are privately owned mining claims. You can buy one, and although the federal government owns most of this, the original mine claims are still held privately and can be sold.
The first picture is of a private cabin, the second pic is the same cabin, but taken from the road we were on. I had to zoom way in to get the first picture. This is one example of the mining claim. You can lease a claim from the US government for a few hundred dollars for 99 years. All you have to do is make a 250.00 improvement every year to keep the claim active. This is only accessible by snowmobile in the winter, and most of the winter the cabin is buried under 24ft of snow.
Here we are at Animas Forks. This was the largest mill ever built in the region. It was also the first to be built with structural steel. The first two pictures are of the mill foundation, the last picture is of the mine entrance. This mill was only productive for 8 years before being closed. The mill was so large and so expensive, it was dismantled and re-assembled in Eureka after the first mill burnt down.
Still in Animas Forks, this house was built in 1906. There is a newspaper framed in the back room that was taken from one of the walls. It is of the Denver Post and you can read it. Newspaper was used for insulation in these days. Also some other houses built in the area.
The only 2 story house in Animas Forks. Also, allegedly, the first bay window built in Colorado. This person must have had money compared to the rest of the town. The stair case was rickety, but functional. The last pics are of the view out of the bay window. The last pic may be hard to see, but there are 4x4 trails that go to Ouray and Lake City. I need to come back with a rented Jeep, I want to see more.
Last few pics of the mine tour. The suspended ore buckets you see travel miles up the mountain sides. There are 6 cable routes, and the miners used to ride these buckets, 2 men to a bucket. The first cable towers are wooden and still standing. I hope you can see them, they are miles away up the mountain. The story here is of 3 men that died on Christmas Eve one year. The mine operators lost count of how many men were coming down that night and shut down the cable system. 3 men were stuck aloft in the buckets all night and froze to death. Keep in mind, the men were wet all day in 60 degree mine shafts and had to be steamed out of the buckets when they got to the mill.
Last pics of the day. Eating lunch at Grumpys in Silverton, very good food and great staff. Although, not be confused with our Dave Grumpy (your food is better brother), but still good nonetheless. The last two pics are of downtown Durango, shopping. Train ride pics to come tomorrow. 
Man, James! How kind of you to share your vacation with everyone. Very cool pics and a heck of an oratory. Makes a person feel like they's right thar witcha!
Great opportunity and wonderful priviledge! Continue to enjoy! 
Great opportunity and wonderful priviledge! Continue to enjoy!
jpowell490
Registered
Thanks for the pics, those are simply amazing!
I know I have had some rough times in my life as everyone has, but I don't know any way someone could be depressed living in scenery like that.
I used to ride up to the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour from where I live and just sit and look over the mountains. GREAT way to just take your mind off daily stuff.
I know I have had some rough times in my life as everyone has, but I don't know any way someone could be depressed living in scenery like that.
I used to ride up to the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour from where I live and just sit and look over the mountains. GREAT way to just take your mind off daily stuff.
Great shots James. What a great vacation to take the family on. Will you adopt me for next years vacation? Where we going next year, oh and Pepper says he wants to go too.
don't forget your brother from another mother either
thanks for sharing!! 
Great Pics James , Glad to see you getting a chance to spend more time with the family ! 
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