Watch The Road!
Well, at least we watched it, because our driver rarely did. Brian
from Boston knew absolutely nothing about the area - so you'll
forgive us if we give very little detail on this page save that
everything was built or done between 1905-1925, because
that's about all Brian knew. In fact, turns out, we'd seen more
of the area than our guide had - and he's been there for over a
year. Regardless, he was actually a delight and the experience
was wonderful...seeing as we survived and all.
Well, at least we watched it, because our driver rarely did. Brian
from Boston knew absolutely nothing about the area - so you'll
forgive us if we give very little detail on this page save that
everything was built or done between 1905-1925, because
that's about all Brian knew. In fact, turns out, we'd seen more
of the area than our guide had - and he's been there for over a
year. Regardless, he was actually a delight and the experience
was wonderful...seeing as we survived and all.
Pippin, No We're Not In California Anymore
But we are at the highest point of our trip - California Pass.
It was indeed chilly up there and we were glad that we had
purchased sweaters in Silverton.
But we are at the highest point of our trip - California Pass.
It was indeed chilly up there and we were glad that we had
purchased sweaters in Silverton.
The Continued Runoff
Even though it was early August the winter
run-off managed to give us a few waterfalls.
Even though it was early August the winter
run-off managed to give us a few waterfalls.
The Mines
Dotted all over the hillside are little light brown patches
which mark the openings to mines that have long since
been abandoned.
Dotted all over the hillside are little light brown patches
which mark the openings to mines that have long since
been abandoned.
The Other Group
We rode up to Silverton with two families that both took this
jeep for their tour through the mountains. We were very
glad to be in an enclosed Suburban (even if we had a
rather nutty driver) because the jeep would have been cold!
We rode up to Silverton with two families that both took this
jeep for their tour through the mountains. We were very
glad to be in an enclosed Suburban (even if we had a
rather nutty driver) because the jeep would have been cold!
Ever Hear Of a Mine and a Mill Drowning?
Apparently that was the demise of this one. Miners
managed to hit the base of a mountain lake and did not
realize it. Luckily it didn't blow until everyone had left for the
weekend, but you can see the damage was severe - the
mine never recovered.
Apparently that was the demise of this one. Miners
managed to hit the base of a mountain lake and did not
realize it. Luckily it didn't blow until everyone had left for the
weekend, but you can see the damage was severe - the
mine never recovered.
Hurricane Pass?
Yeah, neither we, nor our guide got the name either...
Yeah, neither we, nor our guide got the name either...
A Lake Like This One
Must have bee what miners hit from underneath.
Apparently it not only destroyed the operation but it entirely
drained that other lake.
Must have bee what miners hit from underneath.
Apparently it not only destroyed the operation but it entirely
drained that other lake.
Scars on the mountain
Every mine is marked by a rather distinct
scar on the mountain where the minerals
extracted from the shaft left a trail like this
one.
Every mine is marked by a rather distinct
scar on the mountain where the minerals
extracted from the shaft left a trail like this
one.
Expecting to see Heidi...
Or at the very least the Swiss Miss.
Colorado is just spectacular.
Or at the very least the Swiss Miss.
Colorado is just spectacular.
Sunnyside Mine and Mill
Toward the end of the ride, we came across this mill - the
first of two for the same mine, it was the most successful.
Toward the end of the ride, we came across this mill - the
first of two for the same mine, it was the most successful.
Sunnyside's Second Mill
After the first mill was so successful, they
built a second, larger mill right next to it -
which ironically only lasted about five years.
After the first mill was so successful, they
built a second, larger mill right next to it -
which ironically only lasted about five years.
Nothing Like A Morning Bucket Ride
The miners used to use these buckets high
above the ground to get to and from work
each day. This one is still standing and
shows just how hairy a trip it would have
been.
The miners used to use these buckets high
above the ground to get to and from work
each day. This one is still standing and
shows just how hairy a trip it would have
been.
Journeys
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| August 2006 |
The (Harrowing) Jeep Ride
