The Colorado Rocky Mountains have a rugged history.
Colorado's history is its geology. People traveling over the Rockies and prospecting into them for more than 200 years has left a rich collection of historical working sites for visitors to enjoy. Travel by narrow gauge rail through mountain passes can be breathtaking. Tours into historical mines bring perspective, and tours of working mines give the visitor an understanding of how the industry has evolved.
Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour
All visitors to the Bachelor-Syracuse Mine must wear hardhats on the tour.
The Bachelor mine is at a small site located outside of Ouray, Colorado. Ouray is known for its hot springs and the Box Canyon Falls, mountain hiking and ice climbing, so a side-trip to the mine can fit in with a weekend family vacation. Visitors don slickers and hardhats and ride a "trammer" 1,800 feet into the historic mine. Tours are wet, dark, informative and relatively popular, so reservations are a good idea. Pan for gold in the small stream outside while waiting for the tour to begin.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
This narrow gauge train runs from the college town of Durango to the high mountain village of Silverton. Views are remarkable in any season. The trip runs longer than three hours in one direction, and prices vary by accommodations. The train runs on coal power and the narrow track, an economic choice when the train was built, suits well the sharper mountain curves. Winter express trains are sometimes run for families celebrating the holidays.
Mollie Kathleen Mine
The Cripple Creek and Victor areas of Colorado are the heart of gold mining country. Visitors can hike to or view from the road scores of ruined mines from past decades. Mollie Kathleen offers a mine tour that features a vertical descent into the shaft (most mine tours enter the mountain horizontally). Air powered equipment is demonstrated.
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Gold mining is a long tradition in Victor.
This railroad tour begins in Cripple Creek and runs for only 45 minutes, showcasing historical sites around the mining district. It's a good choice for those looking for less of a time commitment and less expense. Trains run seasonally, generally June through September, with reservations not required.
Other Front Range Railroads
The Royal Gorge is a deep canyon cut by the Arkansas River near Canon City. A small feature park sits at its lip, with attractions that include a rail tour into the gorge. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers theme rides including dinner packages and mystery trips.
The Leadville, Colorado, & Southern Railroad leaves out of Leadville and offers wildflower and evening tours.
Modern Mines
Visitors to Cripple Creek and Victor may want to tour a modern industrial mine. The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company uses blasting, mining, hauling and crushing to extract gold today. The company offers tours during the summer season.
Tags: Cripple Creek, Creek Victor, Cripple Creek Victor, Bachelor-Syracuse Mine, Gauge Railroad
