SDMS Document ID

1060966

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TOUR THE SAN JUANS EZ-GUWE VOLUME U SUverton to Animas Forks via Cement Creek, Gladstone and Lake Como

oS, Prospect Basin, South Fork of Cement Creek, Mlmwhaha Basin, ?v Mogul Mine Road, Corkscrew Gulch, Ross Basin, Poughkeepsie , Gulch, and Placer (Mastodon) Gulch

t / Over 100 riiaas & photos covering locations on the route ' by Darlene A. Reidhead

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TOUR THE SAN JTJANS

VOLUME II

Volume II takes you from Silverton up Cement Creek to Gladstone, over Poughkeepsie Pass to Lake Como, into California Gulch and Placer Gulch and enters Animas Forks from the northwest

This second book in the series includes route descriptions to: Prospect Basin, South Fork of Cement Creek, Minnehaha Basin, Mogul Mine Road, Corkscrew Gulch, Ross Basin, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Placer (Mastadon) Gulch, Treasure Mountain and Pica- yune Gulch.

Volume 0 complements but is independent of the first Tour the San Juans book, which is available at retail areas in Silverton, Ouray, and Durango, Colorado.

Darlene A. Reidhead

Cover Photo: Prospect Gulch &. Placer Gulch

&i,-. > ^'£: ?*••'•• :?jAVj * -.».-;-^ ^.., -?•.' DEDICATION

To the present and past residents of Silverton, Colorado who love their community and the history and beauty surrounding it

SOUTHWEST PRINTING COMPANY Cortez, Colorado

ISBN No. 09643172-1-4 Copyright, May 13, 1995 by Darlene A. Reidhead ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A special thank you goes again to the gentleman who 1 and many others consider a mining historian and a dedicated citizen of Silverton, George (Zeke) D. Zanbni. His support, research, and time in manuscript proofing have been helpful beyond measure My appreciation goes to William R. Jones, co-owner of the Old Hundred Mine Tour, for information, time, and many of the old pictures from the Morris W. Abbott Collection. Thanks to William Kappele, an author in his own right, for the time in grammar proofing the text To John Newman, a past Silverton and Eureka resident, my thanks for his valuable knowledge and support. My gratitude goes to the San Juan County Historical Society which includes Allen Nossaman and Beverly Rich who both do so much for their community. My thanks to Jackie, a very special and enthusiastic librarian, whose help and trust I will always appreciate. A thank you goes to Gayle Vitarius and Richard E. Fike from the Bureau of Land Management for their time and advice. I thank my son, Dan, for the artistic drawings. My appreciation goes to Cora who supports all of us in our endeavors. To my brother Bob and his wife, Emily, thank you for the fun days in research. And, always, my thanks to Joe.

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CONTENTS Page

Introductory General Map 10 11 Road Information Map and Topo References ^ 2 Map Legend 13 Information on Mine Claims .

Silverton to Animas Forks Prospect Gulch 105 South Fork of Cement Creek 119 Minnehaha Basin 127 Mogul Mine Road I39 Corkscrew Gulch 157 Ross Basin * 169 Poughkeepsie Gulch 179 Placer Gulch 199 Historical Notes 24° Recommended Reading 244 Suggested Visits 245 Bibliography 246 Plage 6

INTRODUCTION

This breathtaking route follows Cement Creek to Gladstone and will take you above timberline a few miles out of Gladstone and will keep you there until your return to Sirverton. Along the way you will be treated not only to unique opportunites and challenges, but to magnificent views of the Red Mountains and other majestic peaks and high alpine basins. The route circles Hurricane Peak, takes you to the shore of the spectacular blue Lake Como and into the historical mining area of Placer (Mastodon) Gulch. At California Pass you will reach an altitude of 12,930 feet

The route offers you a roadside view of the Gladstone area and the productive Gold King Operation, which was Silverton's mainstay. This book describes the side trips into Prospect Gulch with its mass mining activity, the beautiful Colorado (Velocity) Basin at the head of the South Fork of Cement Creek, the Mogul Mine area, and the breathtaking trip through the pass between Red Mountain #1 and Red Mountain #2 and down Corkscrew Gulch. It also takes you to Lake Como and gives a descriptive trip down Poughkeepsie Gulch. You will enter Placer (Mastodon) Gulch and drive to the portal of the Gold Prince Mine with the opportunity of viewing the Sound Democrat Mill, which is in the process of being restored by the Bureau of Land Management The route gives you the choice of climbing out of Placer Gulch into Picayune Gulch or entering Animas Forks from the northwest With either route you may return to Sih/erton traveling down through the Animas River drainage described in the first Tour the San Juans book.

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Over ninety percent of the mine sites and mill ruins are located on private property. The need to respect this and the historical structures and artifacts is extremely important The Bureau of Land Management, which has placed protective signs on many structures in the area, has left the following message: "This historic site is part of America's heritage. The past belongs to the future, but only we can preserve it Join our efforts to protect this irreplaceable resource by leaving this site undisturbed." "The San Juan Mountains mining country provides a rugged adventure where you walk softly on the tundra and touch the past with wonder and awe. When driving, hiking, or exploring historic sites, remember to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints."

In this area the Bureau of Land Management has placed the white arrow indicators to encourage motorists to stay on designated roads in order to avoid destruction of mountain hillsides and alpine tundra. To disregard this not only destroys the beauty of the area, but also encourages the future closure of additional roads and the now-enjoyment of four-wheeling. The Bureau of Land Management and the San Juan Forest provide information with regards to using and protecting your public lands.

For your own safety, DO NOT enter mine shafts or tunnels and use caution around old structures and buildings.

This route begins at the northeast end of Suverton. For additional directions see page 17 at the beginning of the route description. Page 8

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A huge fissure in this area is one of the most notable in Colorado. It runs from Telluride, through the Red Mountains, and on to Lake City. On this fissure were located some of the greatest producing mines ever discovered in the state: the Gold King, the Sunnyside, and the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince were among these mines which surrounded Silverton.

In this area it is noted that the most productive ore was found at higher altitudes ranging above 11,000 and 12,000 feet Examples of this were the successful operations of the Gold King, the Mountain Queen, the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince, and the Scotia operation all located above 11,000 feet As you will see, mining activity also took place below this altitude. On the west side of Cement Creek most of the mining was done with the objective of reaching the lower veins of the Red Mountain area off Red Mountain Pass. This did not prove successful because of the distance between the two areas. Cement Creek travels through the center of the northern half of what is known as the Silverton Caldera. This range of mountains within the Caldera has never been a high producer of productive ore although several mining efforts did exist with limited results. Whatever the results, the efforts of the mine owners and the miners themselves are a source of interest and admiration.

The hatch marks on the map above represent notable ore veins. Lake /// Poughkeepsie 10 Como *x^C Gulch

^^3*'I \\ Gray Copper NA/ ^ -

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Cement Creek Eureka Townsite ••W

SILVERTON GENERAL MAP Howardsville Townsite

Animas River drainage

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Page 11

ROAD INFORMATION

This route is for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles only, with the exceptions of the short route of 7 miles from Siverton to Gladstone and a short section of the return route from Eureka to Sirverton. The dirt roads in this tour are often rocky, rough, and very steep. In some areas there are sharp switchbacks.

Caution should be used when using a four-wheel-drive vehicle on these roads. The following are suggestions for safety:

Check ground clearance if you have a question. Attempt steep hills only in the lowest four-wheel-drive range. Avoid engine stalls. If this happens, cautiously back down the hill in reverse gear using brakes only when necessary. Do not disengage engine. Go straight up or straight down a hill. Do not drive diagonally on slopes. Use low range and a low gear to minimize using the brakes when descending a hill. Uphill vehicles have the right-of-way, but it is wise to use common sense and take advantage of any pullout whatever position you are in.

Remember also to allow for the altitude and keep an eye on the weather. MAP AND TOPO REFERENCES

TOPO REFERENCES: 15 Minute Series - Silverton Quadrangle 7.5 Minute Series - Silverton Quadrangle Handies Peak Ironton

OTHER MAP REFERENCES: U. S. Forest Maps: Uncompahgre National Forest Map San Juan National Forest Map Bureau of Land Management: 1984 Edition/Map of Silverton, Colorado (Durango NW/4)

San Juan Triangle

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Page 13 MAP LEGEND Map scales have been adjusted when necessary to provide easy recognition and provide clarity.

The maps are oriented as you would view them in the direction you are traveling with some exceptions where a long view is needed. Several maps are duplicated to avoid referral to other pages. ROADS: Main route roads <••••••» STRUCTURES: Existing structures B Secondary roads • Existing ruins D Old roads ~ ~ Z.^~ Site locations !_"] Mines tunnels >- Mountains/Peaks /i\'^ >/• (Points in direction of Rivers/Creeks ?=c=. tunnel) Foot trails Mine dumps -$*«.O- Railroads I I I I I I Mine shafts B Townsites f^p Tramways — — — Public restrooms Page 14

Section of Placer Gulch area from the San Juan Triangle Map

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INFORMATION ON MINE CLAIMS On the map above you will see an example of claim filing in the Placer (Mastodon) Gulch area which shows the Sunnyside Extension and Mastodon claims. This enables you to see the difficulty for interested individuals or county officials trying to differentiate among all the claims. Most claims are 300 feet by 1500 feet.

There were occasions when a claim would be recorded over a partial section of another claim. In this case the original or first claim would have precedence.

Most claims would start out as individual mines or workings. Eventually a company would be formed to work several of the adjoining claims under the name of one of the claims. This group would usually consist of 5 to 8 or so claims. If they proved to be productive, they might have been grouped under a larger organization covering 10, 20, or more claims and mines and worked through several portals. To add further to the confusion, a large organization might have reorganized under a new name or may have sold to a new company. An example of this is the Sunnyside- Extension Mine in Placer (Mastodon) Gulch which when sold became known as the famous Gold Prince Mining Company. Silverton1s Kendrick- water tank Page 16 Gelder.^ Hillside Smelter \' Cemetery ^ site

To Animas Forks

Return route of County Road #10

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SILVERTON TO ANIMAS FORKS Page 17 This route begins at the northeast end of Silverton. The route continues straight ahead (left) as it leaves Silverton and becomes County Road #10. At this point you will pass the right turnoff of the southern section of County Road #10 which leads to Animas Forks and will be the return route of this trip. Just before this junction you will have passed the County Courthouse and the San Juan Historical Society Museum on the left. Both of these are well worth the time to stop and visit. Just past these buildings the road crosses Cement Creek and the route description begins. Ahead you can see Silverton's water tank and to the left is the City Park. Just past the park and further to the left of the parking lot are the sites of Dempsey Reese's cabin and the Greene & Company Smelter. # 1 Dempsey Reese's Cabin Site Dempsey Reese built his cabin in 1873 next to the creek on what was known as "Reese's Ranche" filed upon in' 1873 for a total of 80 acres. Nothing remains to indicate the exact location of the site.

Dempsey Reese, born in Indiana in 1835, was an important force in the development of Silverton. Entering this area in the early 1870's as a prospector involved with the group that was to discover the first major mine, Little Giant, he and his associates helped establish Page 18

Artist sketching of the Green and Company Smelter in the late 1800's

Page 19 Silverton by filing a formal plat in the year 1874. He helped to promote businesses in the new town and served as one of the first county commissioners in LaPlata County and later in the newly formed San Juan County. Dempsey Reese was known as a pillar of his community. Reese's cabin was often used as a county meeting house, and for one winter served as a post office. # 2 Greene & Company Smelter The Greene & Company Smelter was constructed in 1874 and 1875 with materials and machinery brought in on burros from Colorado Springs. It is estimated that each brick used in the smelter cost the company $1.00 each after production and transportation to the area. That $1.00 cost would be equivalent to $15.00 or $20.00 today. The smelter operated intermittently until 1879 and produced $400,000 worth of lead and silver bullion. The bullion was shipped by pack train and wagons to Pueblo, Colorado. The owners built several small dams on Cement Creek and used the water for the smelting process. The dams were often washed out by floods. Old gravel Page 20 TO XL, "pit Gladstone^

Hillside * Cemetery \ Possible \ - - site of Greene Sawmill

To Animas Forks

SILVERTON

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Page 21 When the Greene & Company Smelter was sold in 1879 to the New York and San Juan Smelting Company, the structures and operation were moved to Durango, Colorado. Very little evidence remains of the smelter.

The route continues up the hill making a left at a second junction. The road to the right will take you to the Hillside Cemetery and to the county road to Animas Forks. The first burial in the picturesque cemetery took place in 1875 when a Silverton resident by the name of Mason Farrow buried his young daughter when her illness proved fatal. To the left is a nice view of the town of Silverton. This section of road from Silverton To Gladstone was the property of the Cement Creek Toll Road organized in 1878. A rough road continuing from Gladstone was built with mules, wagons and hand labor over Poughkeepsie Pass and down into Poughkeepsie Gulch in the 1879. For several years it remained the main route between Silverton, and the Uncompahgre Valley, and the town of Ouray. fage 22

Morris W., KetuIricfc-GeUer Smelter in the eady 1900's Compliments of William Jones fwi ncn nev nan rwn

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Page 23 3 Kendrick-Gelder Smelter On the left can be seen the cinders of the Kendrick-Gelder Smelter built in the year 1900. It was later known as the San Juan Smelting & Refining Company. The smelter processed the ore from several mines the company owned until 1905 when it was sold to the Ross Mining and Milling Company. The new owners operated the smelter to process the copper ores from their mining operations until 1908 when the it was shut down. As you can see from the picture, the smelter had the use of the Silverton, Gladstone, & Northerly Railroad. Ahead is a view of Red Mountain #3. The road passes an old county gravel pit on the right. Page 24

Boulder SG&N Mountain t Railroad grade \ Soda Gulch Silverton's Possible water tank site of Kendrick- Greene.^- Gelder Sawmill Smelter site

Cement Anvil Creek Mountain

\ / I \ !''.) Animas Forks

Silverton

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Page 25

As you travel throughout this area you will see several mine dumps and tunnels not shown on the map or mentioned in the text. Many of these were just prospect workings, and in some cases it was impossible to , find any accurate information to identify a particular location.

The Greene Smelter operated a small, portable sawmill along the creek in this area during the mid 1870's.

Mountains: Boulder Mountain - 13,487' - right Anvil Mountain - 12,537' - left (was once known as Indian Head Mountain)

The heavily timbered Soda Gulch can be seen on the left.

In the meadow on the left down off the side can be seen the railroad grade for the Silverton, Gladstone & Northerly Railroad. Also in the meadow can be seen the remnants of an old road grade and water dtich. Mogul Mill Page 26 Gold King Henrietta siding Mammoth Sawmill"1 siding

SILVERTON, GLADSTONE, & NORTHERLY RAILROAD

Boston & Silverton Mining Mill

Kendrick-Gelder Smelter SILVERTON

Page 27 Silverton, Gladstone, & Northerly Railroad The Silverton, Gladstone & Northerly Railroad was incorporated, charted, and built during the year 1899 at an approximate cost of $230,000. The railroad was owned and built by the Gold King Mining and Milling Company located in Gladstone to bring ores and concentrates from the Gold King Mill into Silverton reducing the cost of freight. The railroad operated under this company until 1909, running two trains daily a length of 7.17 miles carrying passengers and ore. In 1910 Otto Mears, owner and builder of several railroads and toll roads in the area, leased the Silverton, Gladstone and Northerly along with the Gold King Mine and Mill in Gladstone. In 1915, Mears purchased the line from the owners and continued to operate the railroad for a short time transporting ore from the mill to Silverton. In that same year, because it had become non-profitable, the rail service was closed. During World War II what rails were left were dismantled and sold for scrap. To Gladstone " Page 28

Niagara ( £VS (X cement Gulch \^ ^\ }) Creek

Irene Mine

f Climax vvxx M—jv..„ _j.v m. County Road Claim •<

Possible site of »-\Vv I* \ Kendrick~ Greene/^ % N\ V. V Gelder Sawmill 1\ \^-fX/ Smelter 3 Silverton

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Page 29 In a second meadow on the left and difficult to see, a dirt road leads down to the creek to a mine dump possibly on the Climax Claim.

Just across from a closed and gated road on the right is a pullout allowing an excellent view of the remnants of a railroad trestle and bridge. It will be necessary to walk to the edge for the best view.

In this area you will have a quick view of the microwave tower on McMillan Peak. This is one of two microwave towers situated above Cement Creek.

Niagara Gulch comes into view with its wide expanse of meadow. A snowslide, known as the Irene, runs this gulch regularly in the winter. At the top of the gulch is the Irene Mine.

The road crosses Cement Creek and is very noticeable due to the polluted orange coloration. In the past the town of Silverton used water from the creek for fire protection, but was unable to use the water for domestic purposes.

Just past the bridge, a jeep road to the right takes you up Niagara Gulch a short distance into the trees where it becomes impassable. A foot trail continues from there on up to the Irene Mine, which is above timberline. To Page 30 Gladstone Uncle Yukon Sam Tunnel y Mine t> Boston & Storm Peak Mayday Silverton Mill Mine site Irene Mine Respect mine and mill sites. I IMost are on private property.| Niagara Gulch

SG&N Railroad

To Silverton

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Page 31 A road to the right turns back to the creek.

to the ri ht sec^dVciolaie tow^r'. "^ "* ' ' «* Storm Peak and of the

The railroad grade can be seen on the right amongst the trees

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"P a0ross the "-Y-y Mine dump and # 4 Mayday Mine

The Mayday Mine, discovered in the earlv iQnn'«= • 11 claims. The major operation offrh f ?«f Y f Sf ls comPrised of to the late 1940's. °peratlon of the minm e was done in the late 1920's Page 32

Morris W. Abbott Collection Compliments of Boston & Silverton William R. Jones Mill

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Page 33 5 The Boston & Silverton Mill and Yukon Tunnel The Boston & Silverton Mining Reduction Company's mill was located at the foot of Illinois Gulch and was operating as early as 1897. The 100-ton per day mill was part of a mining operation that consisted of 50 claims, many being used for timber, and covered over 500 acres. The modern mill building occupies the site of the old mill. The Yukon Tunnel, located behind the mill, ran several thousand feet in the effort to reach the vein in the Uncle Sam Mine located high up Illinois Gulch and which was considered to be the largest and strongest of the Cement Creek area. The tunnel ran through 15 different veins before and was worked until the 1980's. In the late 1930's, the tunnel and mill were operated by the Gold Hub Mining Company, formerly the Ariadne Corporation named after a claim that joins the Uncle Sam Mine group. At this time, the mill was worked as a flotation and concentrating operation. A road behind the mill dead ends at the gulch further up the mountain. Remember to respect private property. Further up the road on the left is Ohio Gulch which frequently washes out during a storm. Page 34 To Gladstone

Ohio Grassy Gulch Peak Anglo-Saxon -< Mine

Queen City Group of -< Storm Claims Cement Peak Creek t Ohio Gulch Uncle Sam Yukon Tunnel , Mine

^J—v. Boston & Silverton \Mill To Silverton

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Page 35 Past Ohio Gulch, a jeep road takes off to the left. Several hundred feet up the road it forks, with the left fork leading to private property and chained off. The road to the right continues up the mountain making sharp switchbacks and becoming very steep. It ends at the Queen City Group of Claims and Mine located in the late 1890's and worked from the early 1900's until 1940 or possibly later. This road is not recommended unless travelers have had experience with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

A small mine dump can be seen on the left up in the trees just past the previously mentioned road. On the right across the creek is a structure at the bottom of Grassy Gulch. Looking up the gulch you can see the micro-wave tower atop Storm Peak. Mountains: Storm Peak - 13,487 - right Ohio Peak - 12,673 - left To the left at the bottom of Porcupine Gulch is the Anglo-Saxon Mine.

# 6 Anglo-Saxon Mine The Anglo-Saxon Mine was worked in the late 1890's and early 1900's. The mine was later purchased and operated by the Gold King Consolidated Mines with the objective being to reach the ore Page 36 61k Gladstone Mountain Mine .

9GAH Railroad grade Modern Minnesota Gulch • cabin Cascade Gulch Washed out waterway Prospect tunnel

Cement Ohio Peak Prodigal Son Cre«k o— Wooden « structure Grassy Gulch Anglo-Saxon Mine To Silverton

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Page 37 deposits of the Red Mountain area and the Brooklyn Mine in Brown Gulch. The tunnel ran 2,300 feet. The mine produced mostly tungsten which was used in World War II to manufacture bullet-proof steel

The large timbers that are seen were installed to hold the waste dump back from the railroad tracks which ran just below the dump.

Looking back on the left just beyond the Anglo-Saxon Mine is a dump that is found on the Prodigal Son Claim worked around the late 1880's and into the 1890's.

The road continues further up the canyon and crosses a washed out waterway coming from Minnesota Gulch located on the left. Just past the waterway can be seen the old railroad grade as it crosses the road to continue on the other side of the creek.

As the road crosses the creek you will see on the right a prospect tunnel. Cascade Gulch is on the right, and overlooking that gulch is a modern cabin. To the left and across the creek can be seen a small cabin structure and mine dump belonging to the Elk Mountain Mining Company. This group of claims was worked during the early 1900's and into the 1920's. To Gladstone Page 38 Maanoth Modern Tunnel cabin Kansas City aj x Georgia Mine A^ Gulch Tiger Gulch

Mine dump Micro-wave tower

a B ^iMine Camp t Pairview Gulch Unnamed SCAN -c Gulch Railroad Storm Peak grade

Elk Mountain * Mine _ -e>

Cascade Gulch r-r rn

Page 39 To the right further up the mountain can be seen a mine dump across from Fairview Gulch on the left. A jeep road to the right leads past a .metal structure and up the unnamed gulch to a microwave tower in the trees. Further up the gulch can be seen mining activity, and at the top, another view of Storm Peak and its tower. Next to this lower microwave tower are located several structures of a mining camp. Included are a boarding house, blacksmith shop and stable. Possibly the mines in this gulch were all worked on from this mine camp. Further up the main road, again on the hillside to the right, is a mine dump quite possibly associated with the mine camp. Just before the road crosses Cement Creek a road to the right leads to a private residence. The railroad grade can be seen on the left. To the left is Georgia Gulch and on the right is Tiger Gulch. A jeep road on the left leads up to the Mammoth mine dump and equipment shed and turns back to climb the mountainside into the top of Georgia Page 40 N To Gladstone A | /I \ I i Hed Mountain Mammoth Cement Tunnel Creek o— ^ Modern Kansas City ^nabin Mine ^ >* \ ^ Tiger Gulch Microwave tower McMillan Peak a— SG&N Mine camp Hailroa grade 4 a b Mine dumps \ Storm Peak Fairview Gulch To Silverton r rrsn rwi n«n

Page 41 Gulch. The road takes you to the Kansas City Mine operation located in 1880 and worked intermittently into the 1920's. This road is steep and has severe switchbacks and is not recommended for inexperienced four-wheel-drive vehicle drivers. This jeep road continues on past the Kansas City mine dumps for a short distance but deteriorates to impassable. The Kansas City Mine dumps at the top of Georgia Gulch can be seen from the road along with the microwave tower at the top of McMillan Peak. Mountains: McMillan Peak - 12,604' - left Red Mountain # 3 - 12,890' - left The mine dump and tunnel on the left situated on the Georgia Gulch Road belongs to the Mammoth Tunnel and Mining Company. # 7 Mammoth Tunnel The Mammoth Tunnel, located on the Miser's Dream Claim, was started in the year 1901 with the intention of undercutting and mining the Mammoth Tunnel and Mining Company's claims located in Prospect Gulch and continuing on through Red Mountain to the rich Yankee Girl vein on the west slope. To Page 42 Gladstone T .

County _ fit Road #10

Railroad trestle Tiger Gulch Kansas City Mine Approximate site ^ • of Mammoth Sawmill

. Modern cabin SG&N Railroad grade Cement Creek

To Silverton

Page 43 The mouth of the tunnel was located at the foot of Georgia Gulch within 200 feet of the railroad to save shipping costs by allowing the ore to be brought down by gravity from the veins and loaded onto the railroad cars. The company, in that same year, consolidated with the Red Mountain Mining Company giving them the combined total of 64 claims with 28 being located in Prospect Gulch. The tunnel was wide enough for a double track and was lighted with electricity. It can be assumed that the equipment shed at the mouth of the tunnel housed the electrical equipment. The tunnel was worked off and on during the early 1900's and even- tually reached only 2,000 feet into the mountain, far short of it's goal. Across from the tunnel on the opposite side of the creek in the area of the modern home was the site of the Mammoth Sawmill which provided timber for the tunnel and mine operations. Remnants of the sawmill have disappeared. An old railroad bridge or trestle can be seen on the right in the meadow. Dry Gulch Page 44 Dawn of Day Claim To Gladstone Prospect Gulch Fisher Sawmill site

Henrietta Mine

Tran lines on map are Site of Henrietta approximated and evidence loading dock is not always visible. Remember to respect private property signs. Mammoth Tunnel SG&N Railroad grade Kansas Georgia City Mine Tiger Gulch ,.. Approximate site To Silverton i. J of Mammoth Sawmill

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Page 45

To the left is Prospect Gulch. At the top of the gulch can be found the Lark, Henriette, Galena Queen, and the Joe and John Mines. The Henriette tram, built in the early 1900's and running 5,300 feet, came from the mine down this gulch to a loading dock located next to the creek on the right. Little remains of the structures.

As the road continues up the canyon, an old county road bridge can be seen on the right. To the left, Dry Gulch comes into view. An unknown mine dump can be seen on the left of the road to the right of Dry Gulch. Looking up Dry Gulch you will have a quick view of the dump on the Dawn of the Day Claim from the Galty Boy Group of Mines. The group consisted of 12 to 15 claims and was considered a good producer. The Galty group of claims was bought out in 1904 by the Ross Mining and Milling Company who had at the same time bought the Kendrick-Gelder Smelter located at the mouth of Cement Creek in Silverton. This same company operated the Henriette Mine during this time.

Tungsten, a metallic element used in electric lamp filaments and in the production of steel, was found in several of the mines located at the mouth of Dry Gulch. The Galty Boy's Dawn of the Day Claim, the Ohio Claim and the Evelyne Claim were tungsten producers. Page 46

Artist Sketching of the Fisher Sawmill

Page 47 County Road #35 into Prospect Gulch takes off on the left. Refer to page 105 for the route description. In this area existed the Fisher Sawmill, not to be confused with the Fisher Mill at Gladstone. The sawmill was worked in the early 1900's. Limited remnants can be seen by walking through the brush to the right of the road just beyond the intersection with County Road #35. Ahead on the face of Bonita Mountain above timberline can be seen several mine dumps. The two major dumps belong to the Sampson Mine and the Gold King Mine. The Sampson Mine dump is seen to the left and higher, and the No. 1 level of the Gold King is seen to the right and lower. See map on page 60. The Sampson Mine was discovered in 1882 and became part of the Gold King operation in the 1890's. Information on the Gold King Mine is found on page 53. Page 48

Mogul tram Mogul Mill site/ Standard Metals Co. View looking towards Gladstone. Morris W. Abbott Collection buildings Wajon Train located on PnufKct Gulch Road. Compliment! of William Jones Gold King site

treatment Prospect Gulch

Co. Road #35 GLADSTONE TOWNSITE Fisher Sawmill site Tram lines on map tram and loading are approximated dock site and evidence is not always visible. To Silv'erton

Page 49 Continuing up the road a view can be seen of the Gladstone area and the metal buildings of the Sunnyside operation located at the lower tunnel of the Gold King Mine. On the left are three mine structures below some mine dumps higher on the hill. This mining activity possibly belonged to the Big Five Mining Company who purchased and operated for a short time several claims in the early 1900's. A private road to the right leads to the lower operations of the Gold King Mill. Just beyond the road in the brush to the right exist concrete and a few large timbers from the Fisher Mill. The mill treated ores from several small mines in the area in the late 1890's. # 8 Mogul Mill On the left is the foundation of the Mogul Mill, constructed in 1906, to treat the ores from the Mogul Mine located up the North Fork of Cement Creek. A tramway running 10,000 feet carried the ore from the mine to the mill. Page 50

: and Mogul Mill around 1906 Tall smoke stocfc belongs to Fisher MiH San Juan Historical Society

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Page 51 How long the mill operated is not clear, but it has been indicated that the mill was not able to treat the ore profitably. The road to the left is the continuation of County Road #10. The route description is found on page 63. GLADSTONE

Gladstone is located at an altitude of 10,250 feet and was founded in 1878. Gladstone was possibly named after William E. Gladstone, a prime minister of Great Britain. A few buildings had been constructed in 1877 possibly connected with a reduction works started in the area the year before but never completed. In 1878 a lixiviation operation, leaching process, was built to treat ores of the area along with a sawmill. The company, known as the San Juan Reducing Company, lasted only one year. The winter of 1877-78 found a few hearty people, including three women, remaining giving Gladstone some foundation. But in the years to follow, the town was to suffer several declines and revivals. Gladstone's post office, established in 1878, closed and re-opened three different times. Page 52

PRESENT 'SITE OF GLADSTONE

County Road #10

Metal buildings The metal buildings may not exist at a later date To Silverton

San Juan Historical Society Early 1900 view of Gladstone from the Gold King Tramway

Page 53 As early as 1878, Gladstone had a general store, a meat market, a two- storied hotel, a boarding house operated by the Grebbles family, and a one-room school house. The town newspaper was called the Gladstone Kibosh. As the Gold King Mining developed in the late 1890's, so did the town. Gladstone had a population of several hundred people with most of .them being housed in four-room homes owned by the company. Gladstone faded fast after 1920 with the demonetization of silver and the decline of the Gold King operation. # 9 Gold King Mine and Mill The Gold King Mill, one of the finest in the country, was built in the late 1890's possibly completed in 1899. The cost of the mill was estimated at $350,000 and was built to process the ores from the Gold King Mine located to the left of the mill site on the face of Bonita Peak. The original mill started with 20 stamps, graduated to 40, then 80. At its peak in the early 1900's, the mill shipped 300 tons of pro- cessed ore a day, a good concentrate of gold, silver, and copper and employed around 40 men. MAP OF GLADSTONE IN EARLY 1900'S Page 54

Mogul 'Tram / Mogul / Gold King Mill 'Trams

Gold King Mill

Mill site now Wagon road occupied by to Silverton metal building which may in /X^O the future be 'Fisher dismantled. Mill

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Page 55 The original mill and mine operation was owned by Cyrus Davis and Henry Soule and their company which originated in the state of Maine. The company also built and operated the Silverton, Gladstone, & North- erly Railroad used to freight the ore. In 1910 Otto Mears obtained a lease from the company to operate the Gold King mine and mill, which included the SG&N Railroad. Under his management, new gold ore was found in several levels of the mine. The productive ore was treated at the mill. Mears discontinued his lease around the year 1916 when the rich ore became less abundant. The mill was serviced by two tramways. The first tramway, constructed in the late 1897 and running 5,500 feet, came from the original portal, or level No. 1, of the Gold King Mine. The second tram, built in the early 1900's and running 3,300 feet came from a lower tunnel located at the seventh level. The Gold King Mine, a large producer in the area, was discovered by Olaf Nelson in 1887. Nelson was an employee of the Sampson Mine Company working in the Sampson Mine located in the same area. Page 56

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Gold King Mill in th« earf? 1900'S San Juan Historical Society

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Page 57 Olaf Nelson, having no money to develop the mine, managed to extract a large amount of rich ore during the years he worked it until he died in 1890. After Olaf's death, his widow sold the mine to Cyrus Davis and Henry Soule for the amount of $15,000. Davis and Soule formed the Gold King Mining Company combining the Sampson Mine and the Gold King and enlarging their operation to include a new mill.

The original Gold King Mine is located at an altitude of 12,160 feet. Although the mine workings reached a depth of 1,800 feet below the highest outcrop, the good and productive ore came chiefly from the upper workings of the mine.

In the early 1900's, the mine continued to produce with the workings on three main veins, the Gold King, the Sampson, and the Davies vein. The company started a new tunnel several hundred feet below the original tunnel in the year 1896. This lower tunnel was referred to as the American Tunnel or No. 7 level.

The company built housing for the employees in the town of Gladstone and a large boarding house at the new mine tunnel. Pige58

Boarding house at No. 7 level of the Gold King Mine San Juan Historical Society

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Page 59 In the year 1900 another tunnel, orginally known as the Gladstone Tunnel, was driven a mile into the mountain in order to cut the Gold King Vein but the vein at this lower level consisted mostly of iron and carried no gold. This tunnel is located directly behind the metal buildings.

The mine and mill were worked intermittently after 1916. By the late 1940's, the Gold King Group had produced in its lifetime over 700,000 tons of ore valued at more than 8 million dollars in gold, silver, lead, and copper.

In the late 1950's Standard Metals, originally Standard Uranium, leased the Sunnyside Mine which is located in Sunnyside Basin at the top of Eureka Gulch. The Company did not operated the Sunnyside Mine from the basin but instead obtained permission to use and extend the Gladstone tunnel a mile further into the mountain to undercut the Sunnyside veins from a very low level. From this area they mined up into the old workings. This company did not mine any of the Gold King. The Gladstone Tunnel, now extending two miles, was referred to by Standard Metals as the American Tunnel which was also the name of the tunnel located at the No. 7 level. Page 60 Sunnyside Basin Bonita Peak V , Upper level of Sampson Gold King Mine Minnehaha Mine Seventh level of Gold King Basin , Mine located behind ridge and not seen from this view area. Gold King tram lines ran to the mill from -„Li-iaaston, . . e both the upper level and seventh level. Tunnel located * . .Metalbuilding occupies site behind meta/ *-^Cof Gold King Mill building) ' I A Jf Mogul Mill Road continues to foundation South Fork of Cement Creek and to Minnehaha Basin. County Road #10 treatment to Lake Como

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Page 61 A new Gold King Consolidated Company, in the 1980's, leased the old workings and opened up much of the mine for exploration but this company never went into production.

An interesting note with regards to this area occured in 1978 when the Standard Metals Company, working the lower veins of the Sunnyside Mine in Sunnyside Basin, unknowingly reached a ground fault located under Lake Emma. Fortunately on a Sunday when miners were at home, the lake broke through and emptied thousands of gallons of water and tons of mud into the tunnels below with a majority of the water and mud emerging at the lower level tunnel (Gladstone Tunnel) located behind the metal buildings. The flood washed down Cement Creek and into Silverton. The water from the lake, falling over 1,800 feet, flattened a locomotive located on the lower level of the tunnel. The breakthrough left the tunnels filled with mud and rock. It took two years to clean the mud from the mine and caused $9 million dollars in property damage.

Mountains: Bonita - 13,286' - ahead and to the left Storm Peak - 13,487' - right Page 62 Red and Sampson,. Mine Bonita Bonita Peak MogulXMillsite Mine f*f^ . Road Upper level of ' Gold King Mine (American Tunnel) 7th X "»— level of Gold-X_Minnehaha King MineX ^\ Basin

Lead Carbonate Mill

South Fork of Cement Creek

To Silverton

Page 63 Here at Gladstone exist four different junctions to separate routes. County Road #10 takes off to the left just past the Mogul Mill. This is the route that will be continued here. The other junctions are located behind the mill as the road travels beyond this point to the right. At this junction are the routes to the South Fork of Cement Creek described on page 119, the Minnehaha Basin Road described on page 127, and the Mogul Mine Road found on page 139.

The route description follows County Road #10 as it quickly climbs above timberline giving you beautiful views of the Red Mountains. The route continues over Poughkeepsie Pass, travels around the base of Hurricane Peak, and drops into the Lake Como area. From there the road climbs over California Pass into California Gulch and on to Animas Forks. At the base of California Gulch you will have access to the mining area of Placer Gulch. This road is steep and rough and requires four-wheel-drive vehicles. As your travel begins up County Road #10 you will see down to the right in several places the road that leads to the Mogul Mine. Also to the right you will have a quick view of the 7th (American Tunnel) level of the Gold King Mine located in the gulch across the canyon. At the bottom of the side gulch existed the Sampson Mill which processed the ores from the Sampson Mine high above on Bonita Peak before it became part of the Gold King operation. Just beyond the site of the Sampson Mill is the site To / Lake Como Private ^, Equipment shed Page 64 cabin K / ((Snowslide f (( /splitter

Ora Claim Tram

Co: ecting^ County Road road Tram lines on map are #™ approximated and evidence is not always visible* Red and Bonita Mill Tunnel on Letter B Claim Tom Turner Claim

To Gladstone I Vl

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Page 65 of the Red and Bonita Mine and Mill. The Red and Bonita Mill treated ores from several mines owned by the company in that vicinity. One of these mine tunnels can be seen above the dump next to the mill site. In the next gulch across the canyon can be seen the mining activity on the Adams Mine which was part of the Red and Bonita Mine and Mill operation.

Above this road on the left exist several mine dumps located on the Tom Turner and Ora Claims. These dumps are difficult to see because of the steepness of the hillside. The dark soil at the bottom of the canyon on the right is natural. Some timbers exist in that area that belong to the Mogul Mine and Mill Tramway. A road coming in from the right is the return route from the Mogul Mine Road.

Beyond the dark soil in the canyon to the right can be seen a snowslide splitter that protected a Mogul Mine and Mill tram base. A blue equipment shed can be seen above this.

A private road to the right leads to a modern cabin. Page 66

To Lake Como

North Pork of Cement Corkscrew Creek Gulch

f N Ora Claim

County Road #10 " Corseting Adams road Mine To Gladstone

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Page 67 On the mountain across the canyon can be seen the mine dump and tunnel known as the Pride of the Bonita. The road continues to pass through thick pines and on occasion a quick view of old cabin ruins can be seen down off to the right as well as a mine dump further up the road. An old road can also be seen down through the pines that once lead to the Mogul Mine operation.

The Mogul Mine and the remains of the camp can be seen to the right across the canyon. The mine was discovered in the 1890's and its workings eventually reached over 20,000 feet into the Sunnyside Mine area in Eureka Gulch. Behind the mine can be seen Hurricane Peak. Mountains: Hurricane Peak - 13,447' - ahead and to the right Brown Mountain - 13,339' - ahead and to the left A prospect hole is located just off the road to the right in the rock outcropping.

County Road #10 continues to climb above timberline as it passes the junction of the Corkscrew Road which is also County Road #11. The Corkscrew Route description is found on page 157. Page 68 Upper level of the Queen Anne Hurricane t Peak Brown Mountain Lower level of the *' Mine dump Queen Anne I I \\ Mine To —o Ross Basin

Upper Mogul Mine operation A

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Page 69 The large basin ahead and on the right is Ross Basin situated between Hurricane Peak and Bonita Peak. In a lower basin below the road you can see the upper mining activity that was done by the Mogul Mine operation. Looking back and down into the canyon just below the Corkscrew Junction are mine dumps and an old cabin belonging to the Theresa No. 1 operation worked in the late 1890's. Prospect holes and mine dumps can be seen on the face of Brown Mountain above the road to the left which possibly is located on the Revenue and Pride of the Alps claims. A good view of a mine dump can be seen on the face of Hurricane Peak. The road becomes steep in this area. After the road makes a bend, a large mine dump and loading bin can be seen on the left side of the road. This operation was the lower tunnel of the Queen Anne Mine. The dumps above are possibly located on the Paymaster Claim. Page 70

Hurricane • ^AdelphiNA\ j- - —a Peak Upper level of thej Claim T Queen Anne Mine^^rn ' \ \ Brown .—• Mountain

Lower tunnel of the Queen Anne Mine

To Gladstone r

Page 71 # 10 Queen Anne Mine

The Queen Anne Mine was located in the mid 1880's. The workings you see here are from the lower tunnel. The upper workings are found a short distance up the road.

Around 1900, the mine operation consisted of 7 claims which included the Columbia and Adelphia claims located above the upper tunnel.

The owners of the mine in the early 1900' s also owned and operated the Red and Bonita Mill located in the canyon below at the mouth of the North Fork of Cement Creek. They used the mill to treat the ores from these mines. Refer to pages 143 and 144 for additional information on the mill.

To the right can be seen an outline of an old road that has been re-seeded. Remember to restrict your traveling to designated roads.

The next road to the right leads into Ross Basin. Most of the area in this basin belongs to the Sunnyside Mine organization. This route description can be found on page 169.

The higher level of the Queen Anne operation is found to the right at the next switchback. f Page 72

To

„ . . Mountain — Hurricane Peak Mine shaft Adelphia Mine •^ \\ ... . , Viewpoint Upper level of the Queen n Ann. e M-Mine

To Gladstone

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Page 73 Beyond this switchback at the top of a short climb and to the left is a view point of the canyon and the Red Mountains. A covered mine shaft is seen to the left of the road at the viewpoint. A road to the right as the road levels out leads to the workings of the Adelphia and Columbia Claims.

# 11 Adelphia Mine The Adelphia Mine, next to the road, was located in the 1870's by Matthew Johnson and P. O. Lundstrom. Surface diggings of not more than 20 feet produced $15,000 worth of ore. The mine was sold in 1879 along with two other mines to Horace Tabor and Associates for $125,000. In the early 1900's it was worked along with the Queen Anne and Columbia Mines. An interesting side note regarding this mine was its involvement in a court case when its owners, Johnson and Lundstrom, sued an un- known gentleman, won their case, and were awarded only 1C by the judge for damages because their testimony was excessively garbled and tedious. Humorous comments were made in regard to that penny when the owners sold the mine to Tabor and his group for $125,000. Page 74 Viewpoint of Lake Como and Poughkeepsie To Lake Como Gulch

Poughkeepsie Pass \ NOld road — Hurricane Peak Alaska Basin

Brown Upper level or Mountain Anne Mine

V Viewpoint \ To / Gladstone

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Page 75 12 Columbia Mine The Columbia Mine is beyond the Adelphia Mine to the right and runs up the face of the mountain. The mine was discovered in the early 1870's and is the oldest in the area. In the 1900's, the mine was worked with the Aldephia and the Queen Anne Mines. In the early part of the summer, alpine lakes are found in this area. To the left can be seen a prospect hole. The closed road to the left once lead to the mining activity in Alaska Basin. Please restrict all travel in that direction to foot traffic only. The large surface workings just beyond the closed road were possibly done on the Bentoil Claim. Another road to the left makes a circle back to the main road.

To the right can be seen an old road and mining activity on the Columbia Claim. Poughkeepsie Pass is located at an altitude of 12,560 feet. Page 76

Engineer Mountain California Pass v \

Hurricane Peak Poughkeepsie Gulch

Site of Poughkeepsie City

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Page 77 A second road to the left after a short steep climb gives you a view of Lake Como and Poughkeepsie Gulch. Poughkeepsie Gulch was an early route from the Uncompahgre Valley, seen to the north, into Silverton. Heavy mining was done in the 1870's to the early 1890's, but by the turn of the century the gulch was almost deserted. Lake Como, located at an altitude of 12,300 feet, is not known to contain fish but you may see ice floating in the lake as late as August. The lake was the site of the little inhabited Poughkeepsie City situated on the east shore. Two rock foundations are all that remains at the site. For more information see page 81 . You will see from this viewpoint the road below into Poughkeepsie Gulch and to the right the road that leads up to California Pass and into California Gulch. Mining activity as well as several quartz veins can be seen throughout the basin.

The road drops down into the upper basin of Poughkeepsie Gulch for approximately £ of a mile to a junction. The road to the right takes you up to California Pass and into California Gulch. The road to the left will take you down to Lake Como and beyond to Poughkeepsie Gulch.

This route description will take you to the edge of Lake Como and the site of Poughkeepsie City and then returns to the junction and continues on to California Pass. Tuttle Mt. Page 78

To California Pass

Poughkeepsie City Mine structure site To Poughkeepsie Gulch O Rock foundations Alaska Mine %, • - Hurricane Peak

Viewpoint of Lake Como >^ and upper basin of Poughkeepsie Gulch

Brown Mountain

LJWiJ

Page 79 A word of caution about the road down Poughkeepsie Gulch. The route is extremely rough. Heavy damage could be inflicted on your vehicle and/or tires. As an example, rental companies do not allow their rented jeeps to travel this route, although they do provide tours with an experienced driver. The section of road that is referred to begins beyond Lake Como and the route description is found on page 179. At the junction you will see an old mine structure which is located possibly on the Rollo Claim. From this area, across the basin and higher, can be seen the Alaska Mine operation. Past the junction, a road to the right dead ends at a lower working of the Belcher Mine. The Belcher, which was worked as early as 1883, consisted of several tunnels with some located on the other side of Tuttle mountain. The road drops down steeply towards the lake past some mining activity and two rock foundations located on the Bullion Claim. At the lake a small parking area on the left is located at the site of Poughkeepsie City. Very little remains of any structures except two rock foundations, one close to the road and the other down by the lake. It is amazing that no lumber or timbers from the structures of the little city can be found in the area. Page 80

To Poughkeepsie Gulch

Approximate site of Arcade Claim

Site of i— Poughkeepsie City

To junction

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Page 81 POUGHKEEPSIE CITY The little town of Poughkeepsie, originally known as the Town of Lake Como, was located at 12,300 feet and was the smallest of all the San Juan communities. The town was founded in 1879 on the shores of Lake Como by a William Boot. Boot opened a general store on his Arcade Claim providing food, staples and liquor to area miners. A post office was established in 1880 but only existed for two years. The postmaster was L. P. Kendall, who also published a small newspaper called the Poughkeepsie Telegraph.

When Poughkeepsie City was first developed it was predicted that two hundred men would soon be employed in the area. A fact realized one summer when the towns population reached 250. Of course, during the winter months the population would be less than a tenth of that. Imagine the harsh conditions which were endured at an altitude exceeding 12,000 feet. Because of lack of transportation, cattle were driven on the hoof up to the town rather than being slaughtered at a lower location. / Page 82 A/ To Poughkeepsie Gulch

Tunnel containing copper tools

Site of Poughkeepsie City

Lower tunnel of Bonanza Mine

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Page 83 Poughkeepsie survived for only three year ceasing its existence in 1882. The winters were just too harsh. It is noted that a plat for a town also called Poughkeepsie was laid out at the mouth of Poughkeepsie Gulch but nothing came of it.

Lake Como is found at an altitude of 12,300 feet. Even in July and August it is possible to see ice in the lake. It is not known to contain fish. Lake Como was considered for draining in the late 1890's by a tunnel in order to obtain the rich float that was thought to be found in the bottom. The idea was abandoned. If you look across the lake on the west side, you will see a tunnel that is thought to be driven by the early Spaniards. Discovered by John M. Stuart in 1878, Stuart was to have reported that the tunnel contained several old hand forged, copper tools. Do not attempt to enter the tunnel or any others in your travels.

Down next to the lake on this side is a tunnel belonging on the Bonanza Mine. Page 84 .Red Roger* Y 3*^ Mine To Poughkeepaie Oberto, NGulch Starlight, J • and Silver/ Chord Claims —- Tunnel containing copper tools »

Tuttie Mountain Site of Poughkeepsie City \ \ \ Belcher Mine

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Page 85 13 Bonanza Mine The Bonanza Mine was discovered in 1873 but mainly worked in the 1880's and 1890's. The claim runs across the road and up the hillside to the right where several diggings exist. The mining activity you can see at the top of Tuttle Mountain is on the Oberto, Starlight and Silver Chord Claims which operated under the name of the Elizabeth Mining Company in the 1890's and early 1900's. The Belcher Mine, is to the right of these. To the south of the lake you will see the Seven-Thirty Mine operation which was one of the strongest and most persistent lodes in the area that surrounded the lake. The mine was located in the late 1870's. Adjoining the Seven-Thirty Claim further up the hill to the left is the Red Rogers discovered in 1879 and sold along with other mines to the Horace Tabor group. This mine never was a large producer. At this point the route description returns to the junction and continues up to California Pass. tf California Mountain Page 86

Mountain California Queen Mine Q Gulch Hurricane Peak

\ ' \

Tuttle Mountain To Poughkeepsie Pass and Gladstone

' Belcher Mine NOTE: This map reverses the route and returns south to the junction of California Pass and Poughkeepsie Pass. Site of Poughkeepsie City f'!, To Poughkeepsie Gulch

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Page 87 As the road climbs up toward the pass the mine dump on the right at the switchback is located on the Indian Chief Vein. At California Pass, the altitude is 12,930 feet and offers a great view as the road makes a sharp turn and descends into California Gulch. A foot trail is found at the pass that leads to a higher point. As you descend from California Pass you will have circled Hurricane Peak which stands at 13,447 feet. # 14 Mountain Queen Mine On the left is the Mountain Queen Mine which shipped its first ore of 370 tons in the year 1877. The mine is located at the head of California Gulch at an altitude of 12,600 feet. The shaft is reported to be 400 feet deep and meets with a tunnel that was driven at a later date back into the mountain 1,500 feet from the bottom of the California Gulch.

The mine was once owned by Rasmus Hanson in the early 1900's and there is speculation that the mine at one time was managed by a Thomas Walsh of Animas Forks and Silverton fame. Page 88 \ California Gulch California Mountain

County Road #10

Lower tunnel Mountain Queen Mine 0 Tuttle Mountain Queen, Mountain Mine Hurricane Peak

s California Pass N \ \

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Page 89 The mine operation once consisted of 35 claims and was worked as late as the 1940's. The road you are traveling now was built in 1944. The route makes two or three switchbacks down the talus slope. During the early part of summer the short cut road you see to the left, which is due to be closed in the future, may still be buried with snow. Either route is passable later in the year. Note the talus slope of California Mountain. You also have a clear view of California Gulch. Mountains: California Mountain - 13,184 - right Tuttle Mountain - 13,203' - left At the bottom of the switchbacks to the left is the lower tunnel of the Mountain Queen which runs 1,500 feet back into the mountain.

As the road continues down the gulch you will cross a small stream and you can see evidence of the alpine tundra on the edge of the road. Mining activity can be seen to the left on Tuttle Mountain. Page 90 Hcu.^hton Mountain

Burrows Vermillion Mine Mine V Little V Old'1*/, To ^nirrias Forks Mine roads •''-

County Road — Tattle California Mountain Mountain

>v \ Lower tunnel of the Mountain \ Queen Mine / To California Pass

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Page 91

Ahead can be seen the quartz vein that runs across and up the saddle between Tuttle Mountain and Houghton Mountain. The mining activity on this vein was done by the Little Ida Mine, the Burrows Mine and the Vermillion Mine.

To the right on the face of California Mountain exist some mining activity and ahead on the mountain slope of Tuttle Mountain an old road leads to the Little Ida Mine.

The road passes a small digging on the left. As you pass down this road you will see several alpine lakes. The tall wooden poles that may appear on the side of the road are used by the county road department to mark the road when there is a need to remove the snow in the early part of summer.

The old trail leading to the Little Ida Mine mentioned before is found on the left. The Little Ida Mine Company applied for a patent in 1905 and operated their mine on a small scale for several years. Page 92

Boughton Mountain Wood Mountain Cinnamon Mountain

To Animas Burrow Mine Lower tunnel of Porka dumps Vermillion Mine

Remnants of Vennillion

LfiflJ

Page 93 A large portal is seen on the left next to the road possibly on the Burrows Extension Claim. An old road just beyond that leads to the Burrows Mine located higher on the mountain which was mostly worked in the 1940's. As you continue down the road you can see Houghton Mountain to the left, Wood Mountain beyond that and to the right just coming into view is Cinnamon Mountain. A prospect hole is seen on the right across the valley.

The road splits for a short distance and then rejoins. # 15 Vermillion Mine The large dump on the left is the location of the lower tunnel of the Vermillion Mine with the Vermillion Claim being located further up the mountain at an altitude of 12,436 feet. The mine was worked mostly in the early 1900's. A mill to treat the Vermillion ores was constructed in the years 1909 and 1910. Timbers from that mill can be seen to the right of the road. Cinnamon Mountain^~~ Page 94 \ f- To Animas u I . Treasure Mountain Forks b\ \l Ar_-,0 I

Prince Houghton •-*- Tramline Mountain County Road #10 | )) - To Placer Gulch

Verraillion f _ Vi Remnants of Mine—c-^ |U o--\\ yermillion Mill

To California

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Page 95 The next road to the right leads to a private cabin. Mountains: Treasure Mountain - 12,783' - right Houghton Mountain - 13,025' - left Wood Mountain - 13,640' - ahead Cinnamon Mountain - 13,328' - ahead and furthest to the right At this point on the route you have a good view ahead and to the right of the remaining tram bases of the Gold Prince Tramway located on the face of Treasure Mountain. The tram ran from the Gold Prince Mine at the head of Placer gulch to the Gold Prince Mill at Animas Forks. If you look closely you will see halfway up the mountain just above a rock outcropping the concrete base of the angle station used to re-direct the buckets. There exists further up the gulch just below the path of the tram a large building. The purpose of the structure may have been to provide shelter or housing for the tram maintenance workers. At the junction, this route continues ahead or to the left. The road to the right leads to Placer (Mastodon) Gulch and over Treasure Mountain and into Picayune Gulch. Refer to page 199 for route description. As you pass the junction to Placer Gulch you will see Cinnamon Mountain located furthest to the right and the jeep road to Cinnamon Pass as it Rige96

To Animas Porks

Bagley

Houghton Frisco Mountain Tunnel [/West Fork /( of the Animas County—e Road #10

Morris W. Abbott Gold Prince Tramway Angle Station Collection Compliments of William R. Jones To California To Placer Gulch Gulch

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Page 97 crosses the base of Wood Mountain. The next road to the left takes you to the Frisco Tunnel and the top of the Bagley Mill. # 1 6 Frisco Tunnel This tunnel, located behind the mill, was started in 1904 and reached over 6,000 feet through the base of Houghton Mountain to the veins of Mineral Point. The project took four years. The Frisco Mines and Tunnel Company mined the veins that the tunnel cut through and even proposed that a railroad be built in the tunnel to run two miles to Poughkeepsie Gulch for transporation of the ores in that area. The idea was never realized. The company continued to mine the veins from the tunnel and in the years 1913 and 1914 produced approximately $100,000 of ore. This tunnel cut through the Burrows and Vermillion veins mentioned earlier. Page 98

Backside view of the Bagley Mill Sat jum County Hotorical Society West Pork the Animaa River \

f Treasure Houghton _» Mountain Hountain

Angle / To California station rS \ Gulch

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Page 99 The operation consisted of 53 patented claims, covering over 1,000 acres of mineral ground. It was the largest exploratory project in the area. # 17 Bagley Mill

The Bagley Mill is one of the finest examples of ore treatment oper- ations in the area. The 150 ton a day mill was prefabricated and numbered in California. The mill erected at this site by the numbers in the years 1912 and 1913 to treat the ores from the Frisco Tunnel. The road winds down in front of the Bagley Mill and continues towards Animas Forks. The mining activity that comes into view up the mountain on the left belongs to the Columbus Mine.

Looking back to the right you will have a second view of the concrete base that supported the angle station for the Gold Prince Tramway.

You may see down off the road on the right a railroad grade that was const- ructed in the years 1906 and 1907 to provide rail service from the Frisco Tunnel to Animas Forks. The rails were never laid. Jones Mountain Page 100 North Fork of the Houghton Animas River Niagara / Mountain Peak

\ Silverton

\H ANIMAS FORKS

test Fork County Road the #10 - 'Animaa River \ I N \ \ HillX Treasure Mountain

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Page 101 The old road to the left leads to one of the upper Columbus Mine Tunnels. Just before entering Animas Forks you will have a view of Grouse Gulch seen down the canyon on the left and beyond that is Burns Gulch. Jones Mountain and Niagara Peak are seen at the head of Burns Gulch. What remains of a water dam exists on the West Fork of the Animas River. The next road to the left takes you to the upper level of the Columbus Mill. # 18 Columbus Mine and Mill The Columbus Mine was worked as early as the 1880's. Ore was first discovered in the creek bed on the North Fork of the Animas River located on the west side of Houghton Mountain.

The mine has probably yielded the largest tonnage of ore in the area, but the grade of ore was low and the cost of transportation high.

The mine produced mostly zinc and was active during World War II when the demand for metals was high. Operations were suspended several times and closed completely after premium payments for the metals Page 102

Aninuu Fork around 1900 San Juan Historical Society r. LAI L^U U4J UAJ U4J

Page 103

were discontinued in 1948 after the end of the war. The mill was constructed sometime after 1927. An information sign is seen on the left when you look back.

You are now entering Animas Forks. Galena Queen Page 104 Mine""" Henreitta Mine

PROSPECT GULCH — Joe and John Mine

Henreitta Tram ' To ^> Silverton^

County"*7 Road #10

To Gladstone

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Page 105 PROSPECT GULCH SIDE TRIP The Prospect Gulch Side Trip offers you a view of two large mining operations: the Henreitta with its network of tunnels and the remnants of a tram and the Lark Mine which was a later operation. The gulch also offers, in a picturesque setting, the Galena Queen Mine with much of the machinery still remaining providing insight into the means of operation. The road up Prospect Gulch is a graded road, steep in areas, and is recommended for four-wheel-drive vehicles. This route, " County Road #35, takes off to the left from the Cement Creek Road approximately six and one-half miles from Silverton at the bottom of Dry Gulch turning back south to Prospect Gulch. Page 106

To Prospect Gulch McMillan Peak

Henrietta Tramway / Dawn of Day Claim To Silverton Dry Gulch

Mine dump County Road #104

To Gladstone

Page 107 As the road starts across the mouth of Dry Gulch it crosses a mine dump. A second dump can be seen on the left side of Dry Gulch and is located on the Evelyne Claim. The mine was worked in the early 1900's and produced mostly Tungsten. The higher mine dump you can see through the trees further up Dry Gulch is located on the Dawn of the Day Claim which was part of the Galty Boy Group. This group of claims, consisting of 12 to 15, was located in 1884 and worked as late as the 1930's. In 1904, the group was bought by the Ross Mining and Milling Company along with several others in this area. The Dawn of the Day Mine also produced mostly Tungsten. In this area just beyond the mouth of Dry Gulch existed the Wetzel group of mines which were located in the year 1885 by a Frank Wetzel and were worked by this gentleman until 1904 when the claims were bought by the Ross Mining and Milling Company. Most of the workings are now hidden by pines and foliage. As you continue up the road you will have a view of McMillan Peak and a microwave tower. After circling the face of the mountain and entering Prospect Gulch you can look down off the road to the left and see an old power line and the tram bases of the Henrietta Tramway. Page 108 3. Red Henreitta / Mountain Tunnel 1 \ \ #3 Lark Mine

TO Silverton

O Loading dock Mine dump County / Road #10 To Gladstone

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Page 109 19 Henrietta Tram The Henrietta Tramway was built in the early 1900's to carry the ore from the Henrietta Mine to a loading dock at the bottom of Pros- pect Gulch where it was loaded into railroad cars and transported to the Kendrick-Gelder Smelter at Silverton to be treated. The tram ran 5,300 feet. Red Mountain #3 can be seen ahead and on the right. An old road, which is washed out just beyond the bend, takes off to the left leading down to creek level and the lower tunnel of the Henrietta Mine. This tunnel was worked heavily in the 1950's or 1960's by an experimental process but did not prove successful. From this point you can see the upper level of the Henrietta Mine. A picturesque old cabin sits on the right just off the road. A metal equipment shed seen on the right belongs to the Lark Mine operation. Page 110 / I Red Mountain #3 Crown Prince Joe and John Claim > o— Mine

„ ... Henreitta Tram

Lark Mine

Henreitta / Tunnel "^^ y.

Cabin

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Page 111 20 Lark Mine The Lark Mine, located here on the right side of Prospect Gulch, was located around 1905 and is located at an altitude of 11,500 feet. Over the years three tunnels have been driven with the lower tunnel being located at road level just beyond the shed. The other two tunnels are higher up on the mountain. In the early years this operation was mined mostly for silver. The road to the left takes you to the Crown Prince operation. As the road crosses the creek you will see one of two wooden culverts built in the early 1900's. ft 21 Crown Prince Claim The mining debris you see at the Crown Prince Claim site belongs to the Iron Hat Copper and Gold Mining Company which was later under the ownership of the Mammoth Tunnel and Mining Company. This claim was developed around 1900 along with the adjacent Hercules Claim which lies directly northeast. Page 112 — Red Mountain ^^ / \ \

Closed road

Crown > Joe and Point _JCT John Mine Claim

iMI U*J LMJ

Page 113

Both claims later became part of the Mammoth Tunnel and Mine Company which was operating on a tunnel starting at the mouth of Georgia Gulch close to Cement Creek with the objective being to undercut several veins, these two included, while driving the tunnel into the Red Mountain district and the Yankee Girl Vein.

The shaft located on the Hercules Claim was to connect with the Mam- moth Tunnel.

At the Crown Prince site an old part of the road makes a sharp turn back to the right but soon becomes impassable. This route returns back to the main road and continues up the gulch to the Joe and John operation.

# 22 Joe and John Mine

Located above the road on the right is the Joe and John Mine operation with several structures still standing. The main tunnel is located on the same level just behind these buildings.

The mine was worked in the 1910's and the 1920's. In the early 1940's the mine was purchased by the owners of the Lark Mine and was worked in conjunction with that operation.

The road to the right leads back to the Joe and John Mine. Page 114 Red I Mountai\ \ n

Remnants of Henrietta Mine Mammoth Mining Co.'s boarding house

Joe and Crown John Mine Prince

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Page 115 Further up the gulch at a junction, the road to the left takes you to the upper tunnel of the Henrietta Mine. This road is steep and is recommended for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. On a knoll just before reaching the level of the upper tunnel are the timbers from a boarding house possibly owned by the Mammoth Tunnel Mining Company who worked the claims in this area, including the Crown Prince and the Hercules Claims. The Henreitta Tunnel can be seen just beyond the knoll. The mountain across the canyon with the micro-wave tower is Storm Peak. You also have a view of Minnehaha Basin. # 23 Henrietta Mine The Henrietta Mine was worked in the late 1890's. The mine consisted of several claims and 3 major tunnels and was owned and operated in the early 1900's by the San Juan Smelting and Refining Company. The first ore mined was treated at the Fisher Mill at Gladstone and then after 1900 the ore, after being transported by tram to railroad cars, was treated by the Kendrick-Gelder Smelter in Silverton. The Henrietta Tramway ran 5,300 feet from somewhere in this vicinity, down the gulch, to a base located on the railroad next to Cement Creek. Galena g Page 116 Wyandotte Queen _ Claim _-o>r,!? Mine""0" D l» Red Mountain

Henrietta Mine "*K

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Page '.117 From the Henrietta Mine, the route description returns to the main route. Continuing beyond the Henrietta Mine junction up to the Galena Queen Mine you will pass a road that takes off to the right. This road will take you to the top of Red Mountain #3, but it is strongly recommended for experienced drivers only with four-wheel-drive vehicles. The road is very steep with sharp switchbacks, crossing talus rock with no place to turn around or pass oncoming vehicles until the top. The main road continues to the Galena Mine located at the top of the gulch. # 24 Galena Queen Mine The Galena Queen Mine was located around 1890 and was operated by the Prospect Basin Mining Company into the early 1900's. The mine consists of two shafts each running down several hundred feet. Within the second building can be seen some mining machinery and a good example of a small operation.

The mine dump to the left of the Galena Queen is located on the Wyandotte Claim which was part of the Mammoth Tunnel and Mining Company.

The Prospect Gulch Side Trip ends at this point. Page 118

To Minnehaha Basin Colorado Basin (Velocity Basin) Mogul Mine Road Natalie-Occidential Lead Carbonate Mine V. Mill Alpine lake

Big Colorado Mine \ County Road #10 \ SOUTH PORK OP CEMENT CREEK Storm \ Peak Gladstone Townsite \

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Page 119 SOUTH FORK OF CEMENT CREEK SIDE TRIP The highlight of the trip up the South Fork of Cement Creek is the picturesque small lake located in Colorado Basin which is surrounded by Storm Peak. This basin is now referred to as Velocity Basin because of the speed sking championships held here in the early 1990's. In this trip you will also see the remains of the Big Colorado Mine operation and the Natalie-Occidential Mine. The road up the South Fork is recommended for four-wheel-drive vehicles. The South Fork of Cement Creek begins with a sharp right turn at the first junction located behind the metal buildings. t Page 120 H

Minnehaha Basin

Mogul Mine Natalie-Occidential Mine road

Big Colorado O ,/Mine X

County Road Storm Gladstone Peak

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Page 121 At the junction of the South Fork Road is an old structure that was the Lead Carbonate Mill. Information on the mill is found on page 129. Proceeding from the junction, the road travels through the pines. A small cabin will be seen on the left and beyond that a water structure located on a small stream can be seen also on the left. A second cabin will be viewed on the left and further down the private road that leads to the cabin. On the right across the stream you will see a small dump and wooden timbers. The large dump that comes into view belongs to the Big Colorado Mine operation. # 25 Big Colorado Mine The Big Colorado Mine was worked in the 1890's and early 1900's and consisted of five claims. The tunnel supposedly reached 3,000 feet. The operation was never known to be a producer. The large group of timbers you see are what remains of a mill. The foundation for a boiler setup can be seen just down off the road on the right. Page 122

A Old road A Natalie- )c Snow splitter Mine Cabins

\ Storm \ Peak

— Mil 4MJ 4MJ LMJ t,

Page 123 Above the Big Colorado Mine can be seen the microwave tower atop Storm Peak. On the left just above the boiler foundation is a snowslide splitter partially hidden by the brush. The faint trail that takes off back to the left leads to the upper workings of the Natalie-Occidental Mine. The main road crosses the dump of Natalie- Occidental Mine and to the left you will see the lower tunnel. # 26 Natalie-Occidental Mine The Natalie-Occidental Mine was worked in the 1890's, the early 1900's, and during the mid 1940's. The tunnel at road level was driven back into the mountain, in later years, to reach the veins of the Black Hawk Mine. In 1906, a boarding house, office and compressor room were destroyed by a snow slide. The mining activity you can see above the tunnel on the mountainside belong to the Natalie-Occidental Mine operation. Page 124

\M A A -*»« Natalie-Occidential X _. Mine

Big To Gladstone * v Colorado Mine Rugged Peak canyon \

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Page 125 The road continues past additional mine dumps on the left. A rugged canyon can be seen on the right. The road makes a short climb up a hill and ends at this upper basin where a short walk will take you to the small lake at the base of Storm Peak. This picturesque basin is known as Velocity Basin. Mountains: Storm Peak - 13,487' - ahead and to the right The South Fork of Cement Creek Road ends at this point. Page 126 Lead Carbonate MINNEHAHA BASIN Bonita \ Peak N

I \ ^ Upper I the Gold King Mine

Carbonate Mill Mogul Mine Road -* -- ^—-To 'South Fork of Cement Creek Metal buildings To Gladstone and Silverton m ttii l*U *J

Page 127

MINNEHAHA BASIN SIDE TRIP Minnehaha Basin is located above timberline and contains the mining operations of the Lead Carbonate Mine, the Minnehaha Mine, and the Black Hawk Mine. The route affords a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the upper Gold King mining activity on Bonita Mountain.

The route consists of two roads both of which are for four-wheel-drive vehicles only.

The Minnehaha Basin road begins at the junction with the South Fork road, continues up behind the large metal building about 100 feet, passes the ruins of the Lead Carbonate Mill, and at a second junction makes a turn to the right. Gold King Mine Page 128 7th level —c* To Minnehaha Basin (American Tunnel)

' Pathway of the I Gold King Tram Minnehaha N I Gulch

\ Snowalide splitter ^f ' \

Lead Carbonate To South Fork of Mogul Mine _ Mill Cement Creek Road N \ Storm To Gladstone and Silverton Peak ^

UdJ U€J

Page 129 At the junction, the road climbs up into the pines past the upper level of the Lead Carbonate Mill. #27 Lead Carbonate Mill

The Lead Carbonate Mill was constructed in 1947 to treat the ore from the Lead Carbonate Mine in Minnehaha Basin. The mill was a 40 ton-a-day operation The ore was hauled by truck from the mine to the mill. Beyond the first switchback you will see down off the road to the left in the trees a rail snowslide splitter possibly used to protect the Gold King Tram bases. Just beyond that on the hill to the right are the timbers from one of the tram bases. Looking across the canyon you can see a large dump on the mountainside which may have been located on the Emma Claim.

At the next switchback a road to the left leads to the #7 level of the Gold King Mine also known as the American Tunnel. At this time the road is closed. Remember to respect private property. As the road continues to climb you will have a view of Minnehaha Gulch Minnehaha Page 130 Lead Carbonate Black Hawk ^c? V. Mine

Gold King Mine 7th level —«* (American Tunnel)

I Pathway pf the Gold King Tram \

I ' Snovallde To Gladstone Storm splitter and Silverton Peak \ _,_JT •pfi f£3i rr^i M-l e-H-e LMI mtj u^ d^i Page 131 on the right and also of Storm Peak and the South Fork of Cement Creek. As the road approaches Minnehaha Basin, the route reaches a junction. The road to the left leads to the Lead Carbonate Mine. The road that continues ahead takes you to a secondary basin and the Black Hawk Mine. The route description will follow the road to the Black Hawk Mine and return to this junction.

The large mine on the face of the mountain ahead is the Minnehaha Mine. A road to the mine takes off to the left of the Black Hawk road but at this time that road is chained off. # 28 Minnehaha Mine The Minnehaha Mine was located in the 1880's and was owned by Mrs. A. F. Cotton of Silverton. The operation was sold in the early 1900' s to the Golden Monarch Mining Company which held several other claims in the area. The company worked the operation as late as the 1920's and 1930's. The mine had several levels and in the later years was worked thr- ough the Roosevelt Tunnel which is located just below the rim of Minnehaha basin. Minnehaha Mine Page 132 Lead Carbonate Mine

dump

Storm ' Peak To Gladstone \ Red Mountain

Red Mountain

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Page 133 The road to the Black Hawk Mine continues to the right through a small meadow. Mining activity can be seen on the hillside to the left on the Minnehaha Extension claim. After traveling through the pines you will be able to see far across the canyon the Henrietta Mine located in the upper basin of Prospect Gulch. The mountain to the right of Prospect Gulch is Red Mountain #3. Storm Peak with its microwave tower can also be seen. A mine dump is located down off the road to the right and is part of the Black Hawk Mine operation with the main part of the activity being seen ahead. # 29 Black Hawk Mine

The Black Hawk Mine was being worked as early as 1897. Later work is evident.

A tunnel was driven from the Natalie-Occidental operation in the South Fork of Cement Creek in order to reach the veins of the Black Hawk Mine. On the return route to the junction you will view across the canyon the Galty Boy workings in Dry Gulch. Page 134

Lead Carbonate Mine

Minnehaha Mine

Black Hawk Mine ~~*" V.

To v r*fi _ P^ u4j U J, -

Page 135 Back at the junction the route continues up into Minnehaha Basin. The road passes the remnants of a structure on the left. Both this and a mine dump just beyond are possibly the mining activity that took place on the Bacyrus Girl Claim.

A private road on the right leads to two modern cabins. The road continues on to the Lead Carbonate Mine. You will see mill tailings in the valley on the right. I 30 Lead Carbonate Mine The Lead Carbonate Mine was discovered by A. M. Jackson in the 1880's. The mine is comprised of 6 claims and is located at an altitude of 11,356 feet. The name, Lead Carbonate, is somewhat misleading as the ore from the mine contained both silver and gold.

The major mining activity took place after 1946 when the operation was considered a principal producer.

A mill was constructed at the mine site in the early 1930's but was destroyed by a snowslide. The remains of the structure later burned. King Extension Page 136 Bonita \ \ Claim Peak ,. > Upper level of Lead Carbonate -Mine v \ - oJhe Gold King \ Mine Quartz X out- Minnehaha Sampson cropping .— ,, Mine V Mine Modern • cabins/shacks M Bacyrus -< Tc Black Kawk Mine Saddle Girl Claim

Red Mountains

To Gladstone

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Page 137 Ore hauled by trucks was treated at a new mill at Gladstone built in 1947. The mining activity viewed across the valley from the Lead Carbonate Mine was part of the Minnehaha Mine. The road makes a switchback at the mine site, climbs up the ridge and crosses a saddle. At the saddle you will have a view of the Red Mountains and Corkscrew Gulch Road. To the left beyond the saddle are some deserted modern cabins/shacks. At this point a view of the mining activity on the face of Bonita Mountain can be seen. Of the two largest dumps, the right belongs to the Gold King Mine and the left to the Sampson Mine. Both mines were worked by the Gold King Mining Company. The small cabin high up the mountainside on the edge of gulch is possibly located on the Gold King Extension Claim. Looking ahead up the road to the right you will see a quartz outcropping.

The road continues up the mountain but is washed out at the head of the gulch. The only turn-around spot is just beyond the cabins. This ends the Minnehaha Basin Road. Page 138 Upper workings North Pork of of the Mogul Mine Cement Creek

Red and Boni ta County O^\ ' Road #10 Sampson Mine

site Gold King Mine's ?th level (American Tunnel) To Gladstone To Minnehaha Basin

Gladstone townsite To South ?ork of Cement Creek

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Page 139 MOGUL MINE ROAD SIDE TRIP The Mogul Mine Road follows the North Fork of Cement Creek up to a lower level of Ross Basin. The route offers two mill sites and the large operation of the Mogul Mine. The road is for four-wheel-drive vehicles only and is rough and rocky in areas. The route begins behind the metal buildings at the junction of the Minnehaha Basin Road. At the junction the road continues straight ahead to the left. No.. Fork -NToMogu l Kine Page 140 Cement \\ °

Red and Bonita Mill site ^ «^^ _ Tunnel on Letter B Claim

Sampson Mine

^« "7 Sampson __. -•_ /„ . , Mil„.,,l sit.,'e — Tram v(h o. evidenc. . , e

Gold King Mine's

-^ ^ (America^th levenl Tunnel)

To Minnehaha Basin

Lead Carbonate Mill Gladstone Townsite Junction To South Fork of Cement Creek

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Page 141 As the road starts out from the junction behind the metal buildings, it passes on the right a tram base which also may have been a wooded water catch basin used by the mill at an early date. An old road to the right is washed out several yards beyond. County Road #10 can be seen across the creek on the left. The road meets a junction at a stream bed that is sometimes dry in the later part of the summer. The left road connects with County Road #10. The Mogul Mine Road and route description stays to the right. As the road leaves the second junction a quick view will be had to the right and up a gulch of the mine dump and operation belonging to the #7 level, also known-as the American Tunnel, of the Gold King Mine. The next road that turns back to the right takes you to the base of the Sampson Mill site. Pkge 142

.To Mogul Mine

Red and Bonita Mill Bite

Tunnel on Letter B Claim

Sampson Mine Sampson Mill Son Juan County Historical Society Sampson Mill _^

L-T Tram No. Pork of Cement Creek Gold King Mine's ^-7th level *VVt (American Tunnel) Metal buildings fTran base To Minnehaha Basin

Gladstone townsi-te Lead Carbonate Mill .S-PUT 1^1 fH) (Wl Wl rwn r?n E*J inJ I MM IHJ LrtJ J

Page 143 # 31 Sampson Mill The concrete foundations, timbers, and bricks belong to the Sampson Mill structure built in the 1890's. The mill was built to treat the ores from the Sampson Mine located on the face of Bonita Mountain before the mine became a part of the Gold King operation. A tramway, running 3,300 feet, carried the ores from the mine to the mill. Little evidence can be seen of the tramway. Just beyond the Sampson Mill site, the road splits for several hundred yards. The upper road to the right takes you past the base of the Red and Bonita Mine dump and the lower road passes the timbers of the Red and Bonita Mill. # 32 Red and Bonita Mine and Mill The Red and Bonita Mine consisted of several claims and tunnels. The tunnel above the dump was driven into the mountain 3,000 feet and is located on the Letter B Claim. Many of the claims were located in the early 1880's. Page 144

Ora Claim

North Pork o t Cement Creek

Red and Bonita Mill site Tom Turner Red and Bonita Mill Claim Tunnel on Letter B Claim

To Gladstone San Juan Historical Society

-J_ — L»*J L*D

Page 145 The mine operation was under the ownership of Joe Terry, son of John H. Terry of Sunnyside Mine fame. The Red and Bonita Mill was built in the year 1899 and consisted of 10 to 20 stamps with a 75 ton-a-day capacity. The mill not only treated the ores from the Red and Bonita Mines but also other mines in the area. Several mine dumps can be seen above County Road #10 across the canyon. Most of this activity, worked as early as 1898, was done on the Tom Turner and Ora Claims. A modern cabin is situated in the pines across the creek to the left. The mine dump seen on the right was part of the Adams Mine. # 33 Adams Mine Several dumps in the gulch to the right belong to the Adams Mine discovered in the 1880's. It was worked extensively in the late 1890°s as part of the Red and Bonita Mine operation. To Timbers from * Mogul Page 146 old ^/,//'0 7 I/f vane f Pride of the. structure // Pathway ^Bonita Mine of the Modern Mogul cabin Mine Equipment shed remnants Tram y N a-Snowslide splitter

Logs from old cabin County —c* Road #10 Adams Mine

Red and Bonita North Pork Mill site of Cement Creek

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Page 147 An old road turns back to the right but is impassable.

The road splits for a second time with the upper road taking you to the Adams Mine Tunnel and returning to the main route further up the canyon. As the upper road returns to the main route you will see small mine dumps and prospect holes on the right.

The main Mogul Mine Road stays to the left and leads into a group of pines. To the right of the road in the trees are the logs from an old cabin. After passing through the pines, to the left can be seen an area of natural dark soil. Among the many old branches spread throughout the dark soil are the fallen remnants of an old tram base from the Mogul Mine Tramway. This is difficult to see from the road.

The road passes a snowslide splitter built to protect a tram base of the same tramway.

At the junction with the upper road from the Adams Mine is a blue equipment shed. Across the canyon on the left are the ruins of a modern cabin plus logs of several old structures.

On the hillside to the right can be seen the remains of a loading dock on top of a mine dump. The dump belongs to the Pride of the Bonita Mine. An impassable road to the right once led to this mine. Page 148 Mogul Cork»or*v Caleb Road

North Pork of Cement Creek Pathway the Mogul Mine Tramway

. Pride of the ' Bonita Mine

To Adama Mine

(Wl

LBtl Lull l£aU

Page 149 The mining activity, along with County Road #10, can be seen ahead on the face of Brown Mountain. Remnants of another Mogul Mine tram base are found to the right of the road. An old cabin and several mine dumps can be seen to the left across the canyon. This mining activity belonged to the Threasa No. 1 Claim discovered in the 1880's. The mine, owned by Henry Schlicker and worked until about 1900, was a small producer of good gray copper ore. The old road that once led to the Mogul Mine threads its way past this operation. Above the Threasa No. 1 Mine can be seen the beginnings of the Corkscrew Gulch Road. Several prospect holes and a tunnel can be seen to the right of the road and ahead is a view of the Mogul Mine. Evidence of a tram base is seen on the left of the road. Higher up the mountain side is a mine dump possibly part of the Mogul Mine operation. The route winds itself through the Mogul Mine dumps. The road to the left takes you to the lower area but soon becomes impassable. Above the dump, a road to the right leads to the mine tunnel. ftige 150

Early View of Mogul Mine Morris W. Abbott Collection Compliments of William Jones •p^n rwn ITV n rr I i CT.J_JJ_JJ U Lull

Page 151 # 34 Mogul Mine The Mogul Mine was located in the 1870's. F. M. Snowdon, one of Silver-ton's first residents, helped locate and develop the mine. During the late 1870's the mine employed 20 men and the camp consisted of nine cabins and many tents. There may have been a boarding house at one time. The mine consisted of 15 claims with many of those claims extending into Ross Basin. The mine workings ran about 20,000 feet into the mountain and connected with the Sunnyside Mine in Eureka Gulch. The ore was carried from the mine by ore cars to the tram station and transferred to the mill by the tramway. There is much speculation about the success of the Mogul Mine opera- tion. Stock was never sold in the company. It is said that the ore could not be treated profitably although it is evident that money from some source was put into the operation for a period of several years. Brown Mountain Hurricane \/ Page 152 / l \ Peak -'i Pride the /Ips Claim I Ross >S«. »* Mine.dump Basin

County Road #10 Narrow Gauage \

North Pork Bonita of Cement Peak Creek

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Page 153 Beyond the road to the Mogul Mine Tunnel, the route makes two switchbacks as it climbs into a higher basin. Just beyond the switchbacks, the road becomes very narrow in spots and caution is advised. In this area to the left you will see prospect dumps on Brown Mountain belonging to the Pride of the Alps and Revenue Claims. The road you see on Brown Mountain is County Road #10. Mountains: Brown Mountain - 13,339' - left Hurricane Peak - 13,447' - ahead Bonita Peak - 13,286' - right Evidence of an old ditch which may have carried water to the Mogul Mine operation can be seen to the left of the road. Upper Ross Basin can be seen ahead. Mining activity on the right of the road may have belonged to the Narrow Gauge Claim. The road crosses the creek and beyond this, further up the road, is a mine dump on the right. Page 154

"Glory I Holes" \H

Upper s workings of the

North Pork of Cement Creek \

Bonita Peak

o Glad3tone

If^J J*j uob

Page 155 The road from here becomes rough and rocky and may be impassable. The route again crosses a small creek that comes from a gulch located on the left. Several large timbers are found in this gulch. Ahead can be seen two large dumps. Most all of the activity in this lower area of Ross Basin was done by the Mogul Mine Company. The road crosses the lower dump. On the left between the lower and upper dump seen ahead are two large "glory holes" brought about by blasting activity on the mountain. Caution is advised when approaching this area. DO NOT enter the tunnels. The road continues to the upper dump. The tunnel, located at the back of the dump, has caved in. A great view can be seen to the west from this area. Timber seen on the face of the cliff to the left of the dump possibly belonged to a power pole base that served the area beyond. The Mogul Mine Road ends at this point. Page 156 Red Mountain CORKSCREW GULCH #2 '//I Midnight Mine

Carbonate Kin Mine Red Mountain #3

Brown Mountain Road - Gray Copper Gulch

Brown Mountain To Gladstone _ CountTOy Road #10 iwi mo i i N n~"n n ." n i J J ' iUU LML UU IM1 UriU LOU (MJ J«J LEU IfiU

Page 157 CORKSCREW GULCH SIDE TRIP Corkscrew Gulch Road offers some of the most beautiful scenic views in the area. The road climbs up between the Red Mountain Peaks and descends down into Ironton Park and Highway 550 giving a view of mountain ranges across both canyons to the West and to the East. A side road takes you to the head of Gray Copper Gulch where alpine lakes mirror the peaks of the Red Mountains. The original route through the Red Mountains was a rough trail built in 1883 in hopes of providing access between the Red Mountain mining district and Gladstone. This road is steep and rough with several sharp switchbacks and is for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. The route begins by making a sharp turn back to the left off County Road #10 approximately 2 miles above Gladstone. Page 158 Red — Mountain #1 •—

X v Vernon Mine

Extension Mine \ Corkscrew Gulch * Gray Copper Brown Gulch Mountain

\

To Gladstone Lake Como

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Page 159 The Corkscrew Road climbs steeply up the mountain slope to a junction with the road on the right leading to the head of Gray Copper Gulch. At this point the route description will follow the road to the right to Gray Copper Gulch and then return to this junction. The beginning of the side road into Gray Copper Gulch is steep but levels out in a short distance. As the road levels out you will see to the right two small alpine lakes. Mountain: Brown Mountain - 13,339' - right The road makes another short but steep climb and again passes several small alpine lakes on the left which mirror the Red Mountain Peaks. The route continues past a small dump on the right and enters Uncompahgre National Forest and drops down into a lower basin where a small mine dump and timbers from a mine structure can be seen just off the road to the left. A larger mine dump, on the left across the basin, is possibly on the Extension Claim. The road continues a short distance further but is closed by a gate as it enters the Vernon Mine property where recent mining has been done. Before reaching the gate you will see a mine dump on the right, a large Mount"atn / \ ^ ^—i T° Corkscrew Gulch Page 160 #2

Saddle It is not advisable to travel beyond the saddle as the road deteriorates.

To Gray Copper / Gulch » \ Brown \ / % ^*>^ ' Mountain Peak

Hurricane Minnehaha \ I / / ^ ROSS O ^ peak Basin "^Bonita -Pe'ak Basin ' \

__ j j I iiBL

Page 161 mine operation across the canyon on Brown Mountain and prospect activity on the steep slope of Red Mountain to the left. At this point the road returns to the main road of Corkscrew Gulch. Beyond the Gray Copper Gulch Road you will leave Bureau Of Land Management property and enter the San Juan Forest. At this point you will have a view of the South Fork of Cement Creek beneath Storm Peak. An old road to the left at a switchback leads to a small mine dump but is impassable a short distance down the road. Beyond the switchback the road climbs above timberline. Looking back to the right you have a good view of Minnehaha and Ross Basins, Hurricane Peak and Bonita Peak. Just before reaching the top you can see a mine dump on the right across a small alpine lake that may be dry later in the season. This mine dump may be from the Sailor Boy operation situated on the border between San Juan and San Miguel County. The mine was worked in the early 1900 s. Across from this lake a road takes off to the left. This road is a fun, short, trip following the top of the ridge and providing beautiful views of the area. This road soon reaches a saddle and it is recommended that Page 164

To Highway 550 Red Mountain #2 Midnight »»•*. y. /N

Carbonate King Mine \ \ Red Mountain #1

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Page 165 As the road reaches the basin, a mine dump is found on the right. This dump may be located on the Iron Horse Claim. The route passes the closed road on the left that led to the Carbonate King Mine. Just beyond the road to the left are the side walls of an old cabin. The road descends down into the trees and makes several switchbacks passing a rugged section of canyon prone to snowslides each winter. At the first switchback is a small dump, and you can view a mine and cabin situated in a red gulch area across the canyon. This is difficult to see. As the road enters a small lower basin, you will see a large dump to the left of the road. This belongs to the Midnight Mine. Other dumps belonging to the same operation can be seen in this area along with the logs of a large mine structure or cabin back in the trees. A boiler sits on top of the dump. # 35 Midnight Mine

The Midnight Mine was first worked in the late 1880's or early 1890's. The mine contained good ore but mining the ore was difficult because of excessive water.

Twice the road crosses a small creek. To the left is a prospect hole. To Silverton Page 166 To Ouray

Railroad -^ turntable (Corkscrew)

Red Mountain Brown #2 Mountain

F5*

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Page 167 The route continues to a junction with the main Corkscrew Gulch Road staying to the left. The road to the right is an alternate route if the main road ahead is impassable. Wet weather often prevents crossing a clay hillside. The alternate route allows a view of an old cabin just before it joins the main road. The Corkscrew Gulch Road continues down through the exposed clay hills. You will have a view of Highway 550 from this area. Also, towards the bottom of the clay hills, you may be able to see the timbers in the pines to the left and across the canyon of the Silverton Railroad turntable built in the years 1888 and 1889. The turntable is difficult to see.

After the road has entered and traveled through the pines for a time it crosses a right-of-way for a pipeline. Beyond that the road will cross a hard to see water flume that was used by the mines in this area. The road leaves Corkscrew Gulch and circles around the base of Red Mountain 11 entering the mouth of Gray Copper Gulch. Just past a small meadow a road to the right leads up the face of Brown Mountain to the Albany Mine. The main route conintues past the Idarado Mine tailings pond to Highway 550. The Corkscrew Gulch Road ends at this point. Hurricane Peak Page 168 ""' / v °~

v\ Old road and foot trail v > o—

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k Sunnyside Saddle \(Whiskey Pass) Upper level of Queen Anne Mine

Lower level of Queen County Anne "—ea». X ^Road #10 nine v ' // \ Bonita Peak To Gladstone LCL,™ .T._J! , u IMJ LAI

Page 169 ROSS BASIN SIDE TRIP The Ross Basin Road may not offer a great deal of mining history but the road does give you views of the mountain range to the west, a view into Sunnyside Basin and, also takes you to the heights of Hurricane Peak. The road into the basin travels across the private property of the Sunnyside Mine and this road may be closed in the future. This road, if open, is for four-wheel-drive vehicles only and the last segment to the Sunnyside Saddle or Whiskey Pass should not be attempted by inexperienced drivers because of the steepness and sharp switchbacks on the tulas slopes. From the saddle it is a vigorous but enjoyable hike to the rock outcropping that tops Hurricane Peak. Remember as you hike in this area that the altiude exceeds 13,000 feet. The Ross Basin Road takes off to the right just past the lower workings of the Queen Anne Mine. Page 170 Hurricane Peak / I \

Pony or Hillside Claim

To Lake Upper level of Como Queen Anne Mine

Ross Basin Lover level of / County Queen Anne ^ y^Road #10 Mine —«>

To Gladstone $ Upper Mogul 3—Mine operation

Page 171 At the beginning of the Ross Basin Road you will see high on the mountain slope to the left a mine dump and debris possibly belonging to the Pony or the Hillside Claims. Looking back to the right as you begin the route is a view of the Corkscrew Road and the Red Mountains across the canyon. To the right across the basin can be seen on the edge of a cliff and below the cliff the fallen timbers from what is presumed to be a power base for the electricity that was provided to the Sunnyside Basin. In this basin you will see several dumps and timbers from mine structures that remain unidentified. This basin was prospected as early as the mid 1870's and worked the heaviest during the early 1900's. The latest activity was done by the Sunnyside Mine operation. It is reported that several mining families spent a few winters in the basin working their claims around 1900. Timbers can be seen in front of a prospect hole on the right and looking below in a lower basin can be seen the workings of the Mogul Mine. Mine dumps and prospect holes can be seen on the left. Page 172

To Lake Como Hurricane Peak

To Sunnyside Saddle

Mine shaft on Winchester

Bonita Peak

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Page 173 At the road Junction, the road to the left will take you up to Sunnyside Saddle/Whiskey Pass and to the face of Hurricane Peak. This route description will stay with the road straight ahead or to the right and then return to this junction.

Within a short distance on this route, a road to the right takes off but dead ends within a few hundred feet. A dump and covered shaft can be seen on the left. The road continues down to a lower level of the basin. On the right is a large dump. The road continues past several small mine dumps and prospect holes and ends at a mine operation and the remnants of a cabin which belonged to an M. S. Beach, located on the Winchester Claim. Several small alpine lakes can be seen in this area. The large rock outcropping across the stream is the north face of Bonita Peak. The road returns to the junction and continues up to Sunnyside Saddle/Whiskey Pass. Note the mining activity on the face of Hurricane Peak. Before the road begins to climb the talus slope you will see to the left a rock outcropping and at the base a mine shaft now cemented off. This mine activity was originally the M. E. Harrison mine located at an altitude of 12,800 feet and worked in the 1890's. Later work has been done by the Sunnyside Mine Company. Hurricane Peak Page 174

•' Old road or " foot trail Sunnyside Basin Harrison Mine ^k J shaft ^P\ -^^-Viewpoint Sunnyside Saddle (Whiskey Pass)

* Bonita Peak Winchester Claim and shaft

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Page 175 At this point the road becomes very steep with sharp switchbacks as it crosses the talus slope to reach the saddle. Caution is recommended. The Sunnyside Saddle/Whiskey Pass is located at an approximate altitude of 13,000 feet and was used as a route into Sunnyside Basin from the Red Mountain and Gladstone area.

The Sunnyside Basin housed the Sunnyside Mine operation much of which has been reclaimed. Some concrete foundations and tram bases still remain. The two main claims, the Sunnyside and the No Name, were located on the Sunnyside vein which exists on the far mountain. The area has been continuously worked since the vein was located in 1873. The timbers along with the rock bases you will see on the mountain slope to the left were possibly the support for a power line although the structures bear resemblance to tram bases. In this same basin one could view Lake Emma until the year 1978 when the water from the lake, because of a geological weakness, broke through into the mine shafts below flooding the tunnels with water and mud. The area of the lake has also been reclaimed. Page 176

Lake Emma and Sunnyside Mine Complex San Juan County Historical Society n^i ra* n^i rwi n1 LmJ (mU L-JJ 1MJ

Page 177 The road officially ends at the saddle although at one time it continued on to the face of Hurricane Peak. The first section of the steep climb on this old road is very dangerous and and it is recommended for foot traffic only. At the base of Hurricane Peak you will look into California Gulch. Keep in mind the altitude and weather when hiking. This ends the Ross Basin Road. Road continues Page 178 Unconpahgre -Alabam- a Mine River "Poughkeepsie Mine

PODGHKEEPSIE GUICH

Section of^. rough road.

Picket

/Site of Poughkeepsie City

To Gladstone To California Pass Co. Road #10

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Page 179 POUGHKEEPSIE GULCH SIDE TRIP Poughkeepsie Gulch is more of a jeeping experience than a mining history tour although it does offer access to several mining operations. The route drops down through Poughkeepsie Gulch and connects with the Mineral Point Road also known as Miners Creek Road. Poughkeepsie Gulch was first known as Alpha Gulch and was later renamed by J. R. McNutt who discovered the first mine in the gulch in 1874. McNutt picked the name Poughkeepsie as a reminder of a small settlement on the Hudson River in New York State from which he came. Indian meaning for Poughkeepsie: Reed covered lodge by the place of little water. Heavy mining was done in the 1870's, 1880's and the early 1890's but by the turn of the century the gulch was almost deserted. Some mining returned in the 1910's. The gulch was an early route from the Uncompahgre Valley, located to the North, over Poughkeepsie Pass into Silverton. It is highly recommended that you view the upper section of the gulch, return to Lake Como, and when able view the last two or three miles of the gulch by coming up from the Mineral Point Road to avoid a particularly rough section in the middle of the route. If you are an experienced Page 180 To Ouray

To Mineral Point

Uncorapahgre River

Lower tunnel B>. of the Old •* - Lout Mine POUGHKEEPSIE GULCH

To upper Poughkeepsie Gulch rwi

Page 181 driver of four-wheel-drive vehicles and want to make the trip it is recommended that you travel the gulch from the top down. The fact that jeep rental businesses do not allow their rented jeeps to be taken down or up Poughkeepsie Gulch gives you an idea of the seriousness of the road although they do provide tours with an experienced driver. Many units have been known to lose their oil pans and destroy tires on the rough road. Parts of Poughkeepsie Gulch road may be closed in the future if severe erosion continues. The route begins on the east side of Lake Como just before crossing the outlet stream. t Page 182

T'lvening Star Claim—o •<

Prospect Picket holes

Site of Poughkeepsie City

To Gladstone California Pass

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Page 183 The road crosses the small outlet stream coming out of Lake Como. Through- out this area are many mine dumps and mine structures that cannot be identified. Several of the mine operations associated with Poughkeepsie Gulch are located high up side canyons and not seen from the road. Timbers from a mine shack can be seen on the right along with prospect holes on the talus slope beyond. One of the first roads taking off to the right leads to an overlook point but very little is offered that cannot be seen from the main road. It is noted that there are several dirt roads branching off in different directions in the upper part of this basin just below Lake Como. It is difficult to know which is the main road although this route stays mainly to the left. The road passes mining activity located to the left on the Picket Claim. # 36 Picket Mine The Picket Mine consists of three tunnels located on the quartz vein and was located around the 1890's. The mine sold for $40,000 in 1902. Timbers from a mine structure are found on the site. t Page 184

See insert Alaska • Mine Insert

C^ Small lake Evening Star Claim x

Picket \1 To Lake Como

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Page 185

Another large quartz vein with some mining activity can be seen just beyond the Picket Mine. This work was done on the Evening Star Claim. The road now approaches the first rough section. Be aware that the route may change from year to year. It is best to get out of the vehicle frequently and check the road ahead before proceeding. Just beyond this is the second rough section which is definitely the worst of the two. See the map insert. As the road condition changes so frequently/ again it is best to stop and walk the area to see which of the two or three routes can be traversed. After this second rough section there is a trail to the left that leads to a small mine operation and cabin ruins. Very little is visible. The road crosses a second bog area. Conditions of the road in this area depend on the time of the year.

A road to the right leads to a small lake. Mining activity can be seen on the hillsides surrounding the lake. Looking back up the road from the lake to the mountain on the west you will see a large mine dump and activity in a upper basin. The operation is the Alaska Mine. Page 186

Alabama Mine Uncompahgre t River"

Poughkeepsie Mine

To Lake Como

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Page 187 At this point the road becomes a creek bed and may be dry or wet depending on the time of year. This part of the road should be taken very slowly as serious damage could be done to the tires or oil pan. A large mine dump comes into view on the right belonging to the Poughkeepsie Mine. # 37 Poughkeepsie Mine The Poughkeepsie Mine, the first in the area, was located in 1874 by J. R. McNutt who also discovered the Sunnyside Mine in Eureka Gulch. The mine consisted of 8 claims and was worked through two tunnels. The mine was located on one of the major veins and produced a high grade of silver, copper and some gold. Several mine diggings and mine activity can be seen on the left across the gulch. Timbers from a cabin structure next to the stream plus mining activity in proximity to the timbers may have been on the Poughkeepsie Extension Claim. Page 188

Uncoapahgre_ River"

Alabama

Wilkenaburg Claim

SilvevCreer _ k. To Lake | * Poughkeepsie Mine COBO VI H W

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i Page 189 At the end of the rocky section of the route you will see a road to the left that follows Silver Creek but soon becomes impassable. A fallen cabin structure can be seen at the beginning of this side road. This should be a turnaround spot if you are coming up from the bottom of Poughkeepsie Gulch and want to avoid the rough areas. The dumps you can see to the right on the hillside above may have been on the Wilkensburg Claim. The road to the right takes you up to the Alabama Mine tunnel at the top of the large dump on the right. It is advisable to park at the switchback and walk to the mine portal. The road becomes impassable beyond the switchback due to rock slides. # 38 Alabama Mine The Alabama Mine was discovered in the late 1870's and is located at 11,050 feet. The vein that the mine is located on runs across the floor of the gulch. Silvery Page 190 Falls Short-cut A road

Copper King and H Modern^^ Silvery-Falls Claim cabins

Old cabin

Uncompahgre__ River

rn

Page 191 The road to the left just past the Alabama Mine road is private. A tunnel is seen on the right next to the road just before the road passes through a narrow section staying close to the stream. The road to the left leads to a primitive camp site A small dump is seen on the right and private modern cabins are located on the left along with an old cabin. The road crosses mining activity with a small dump on the right and a large dump on the left. A tunnel is located across from the large dump. This activity took place on the Copper King and Silvery-Falls Claims. The old cabin remnants next to the modern cabins were probably part of this operation. In this area the road forks with the right being a rough shortcut. It is recommended you stay with the route to the left which winds around the hill where the shortcut road rejoins the route. Looking back to the left you will see a waterfall. Timbers from a mine structure to the left of the falls are found on the northern end of the Silvery-Falls Claim. Page 192

To Ouray and Mineral Point Road Abrams > Uncompahgre Mountain v River Lower tunnel of the Old Free Gold Lout Mine Claim^ Upper tunnel

\

Short-cut road t Copper King and Silvery-Palls Claim

Old cabin To Lake Como pr -E IMj l*U LC£> Page 193 A cascading small stream can be seen on the left coming down the mountainside along with an old road that leads to the mine dumps on that side of the Poughkeepsie Creek. The mine dumps on the mountainside to the left belong to the Free Gold workings which were located mostly on the Letcher Claim with some work being done on the Free Gold Claim. The lower dump of the same operation was worked in the 1940's. The next road to the right leads to the top of the Old Lout Mine dump. Mountain: Abrams Mountain - 12,801' - left # 39 Old Lout Mine The large dump on the right belongs to the Old Lout Mine, located in 1876 and named after Oliver D. Loutzenhiser . The original Old Lout workings are located approximately 1,000 feet above this large dump. The mine was sold for $10,000 soon after it was located and in the 1870 's was one of the largest early producing mines in the area. I Page 194

Unconpahgre H River" \ Old cabin A brains Mountain

\ Lower tunnel D of the Old « ^Lout Mine «>• A Free Gold Upper tunnel Claim To Lake Como

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Page 195 During the early part of the 1880's, the mine, which employed around 30 men, produced between $300,000 and $400,000 worth of rich ore, and in 1886 was sold to a London company for $200,000. After the sale to the London company, the new owners drove a tunnel at a lower level back into the mountain 1,800 feet trying to find a new source for the rich ore that had been produced from the upper workings. The attempt was unsuccessful and the mine was abandoned in 1890. This tunnel is seen at the back of the dump. The tunnel house and machinery were later destroyed by fire. The mine was re-opened in the early 1900's and was also worked in the 1930's. It appears that the dump was reworked several times. Building timbers can be seen in this area.

As the road continues, the logs from a small cabin exist next to a road that takes off to the left. This road will take you to a primitive camp site and does continue to the left through the willows to the mine activity on the west side of Poughkeepsie Gulch but soon becomes impassable. The main Poughkeepsie Road route continues straight ahead or to the right. Within the next several hundred yards as you travel through the pines you will note several mina dumps on the right. To Ouray Page 196

Uncorapahgre To Mineral Point Abrams Mountain

Grand View Claim v

Gorge

To Lake Como IT^ c^p ]__!__] _J_]J_ i i | , ; : JdJ LS*J IMJ 1MJ LBU i£t

Page 197 Across a small gorge on the left and up the mountainside is a small dump that may have been located on the Grand View Claim. The route continues past two roads to the right with the first leading to a primitive camp site. The second is an earlier route that crossed the old bridge seen through the trees. Timbers can be seen next to the bridge that may have been from an old cabin. The road to the left leads to another primitive camp site. The route crosses the stream, continues through the trees and soon connects with the Mineral Point Road. This ends the Poughkeepsie Gulch Road. To Silverton Page 198 PUCAYUNE GULCH

Approximate site of i Mastodon •SOL Mine

^ Hanson Mill I j— Gold Prince boarding house

»»• Animas Evening Star Mine1 Forks ~ townsite To California Gulch and Lake To Animas Forks Como

County Road #10

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Page 199 PLACER (MASTODON) GULCH SIDE TRIP Placer Gulch (Mastodon Gulch) offers some of the most exciting mining history of the tour. At the head of the gulch you will find the partially restored Sound Democrat Mill and the remnants of the extensive Gold Prince Mine which was formerly the Sunnyside Extension.

Placer Gulch was once known as Mastodon Gulch after the Mastodon Vein and the Mastodon Mine, one of the early operations in the area. During peak season, the wildflowers in Placer Gulch are rarely surpassed anywhere in the Alpine Triangle. After viewing the gulch you will have the choice of returning back to this junction or continuing on over the top of Treasure Mountain and into Picayune Gulch offering beautiful views of the canyon and mountains. The road is for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. Beyond the head of Placer Gulch the road is very steep in places. The road takes off at the junction located at the bottom of California Gulch and Placer Gulch approximately one-half mile west of Animas Forks. Page 200

Treasure To Placer Gulch Mountain Tramway -^ / 1 building

Gold Prince / Tramway California Mountain \ / / \ station ^ To California West Fork of -•^ Gulch the vAnimas River

County Road #10 To Animas Forks

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Page 201 The route into Placer (Mastodon) Gulch makes a right turn at the junction, or left if you are coming from Animas Forks, and crosses the West Fork of the Animas. Across the valley to the left on the face of Treasure Mountain can be seen the remnants of the Gold Prince Tramway, and if you look closely you can see the concrete foundation of the angle station above a rock outcropping. Also on the hillside is a large building which belonged to the tramway operation. #40 Gold Prince Tramway

The Gold Prince Tramway was constructed in 1905 at an estimated cost of $75,000. The tramway ran approximately 8,000 plus feet from the mine to the angle station and over 4,000 feet from the angle station to the Gold Prince Mill in Animas Forks, a total of 12,600 feet.

The tramway, using 50,000 feet of steel cable, traveled 350 feet per minute and carried 50 tons of ore per hour. To Placer Page 204 f Gulch *&--' a Evening Star i^B \ / ^^./• • Mine f\ , Mine \ / dump ^ £> \ / tA California Treasure Meadow Mountain Mountain Slide / area /^ Pathway Alpine /of the /^> \ Gold Prince lakes \ / Tram \ Tramway building

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Page 205 Of interest in the meadow on the left next to the creek is an outline in the grass of a fallen tram tower. Alpine lakes are also found in the meadow. As the route continues up the gulch it will pass through the mining operation known as the Evening Star and later owned by the Sunlight Mining and Mill Company. # 41 Evening Star Mine Early work on the Evening Star Mine was done around the turn of the century. The operation consisted of several claims with success being variable.

The mining extended to the summit of California Mountain on the Even- ing Star Claim. Ore was shipped by wagons to different smelters in the area.

The buildings you see on the right were built as part of this opera- tion in the year 1900. You will see several tunnels in this area that were driven into the mountain by the same operation.

The large dump on the right has recently been re-worked. Page 206 v Silver Queen o-- Mine Mastodon Sound Mine N\ ^ Democrat \ Sound Democrat Mill _ Treasure Mountain California Mountain

\ Index Claim

Pathway of the Gold Prince Tram/

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Page 207 Coining into view is the Sound Democrat Mill which is being restored by the Bureau of Land Management. Across the valley to the left and on the mountain slope can be seen several pieces of timber which may have come from the mining operation on the Index Claim. An old trail that once led back to the Evening Star structures takes off to the right but is soon impassable. It is best to park and walk up the trail. Near the area of the two standing tram towers can be seen one of several quartz veins in the gulch. Just before reaching a fork in the road you will see on the left the remains of the Mastodon Mill. # 42 Mastodon Mill The Mastodon Mill, apparently constructed in 1885, was one of first mills in the area. It treated ore from the Mastodon Mine at the head of the gulch and the Silver Queen Mine located on the southwest end of Treasure Mountain. Page 208 /» \ \ Silver Queen \ v «=--" Mine r Placer Gulch Basin \ \

Sound "Democrat Mine Treasure — O.Y """ \ Mountain Pathway of tramline

» Excelsior -

Pathway of Gold Prince Tram N

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Page 209 The road that takes off to the left leads to the Sound Democrat Mill. Use caution as you explore and respect the fragile nature of the partially restored mill. # 43 Sound Democrat Mill & Mine The Sound Democrat Mill, powered by electricity, was constructed in 1905 and 1906. It treated the ore from the Sound Democrat Mine located behind the mill on the face of Treasure Mountain until the year 1914. The mill was expanded in 1909 to enable the operation to processed the ore from the Silver Queen Mine. In 1909, a tramway was built from the mine to the mill to carry the ore. The tram station still stands at the back of the mill. The mine was developed in 1899 with the ore first being treated in the upper Sunnyside Mill in Eureka Gulch before the mill here was built. The ore shipped from this mine ran over $1,000 per ton. Page 210 fl \ \ Silver Queen \ \ —Mine Placer Gulch Basin \

Sound Democrat Mine Treasure Mountain "* „ Pathway of tramline X v Excelsior -

\ California \ Mountain

Pathway of Gold / Prince Tram

531

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Page 211 As you face the base of the Sound Democrat Mill note the prospect tunnel on your left. To the right of the mill you will see two wooden boxes or counter-weights filled with rocks. Their purpose was to provide tension to the tram cables. High on the mountain directly above the Sound Democrat Mill, and to the left of the Sound Democrat Mine, are several timbers and mining activity possibly belonging to the Excelsior Claim. As you return to main road you will see prospect tunnels ahead and above the Placer Gulch Road. This work was done on the Neptune Claim. Back on the main road you will pass a couple of Gold Prince tram towers and will see additional workings. At this point you have reached the head of Placer Gulch and you will have your first view of the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince Mine operation. Above the mine operation you will see the mining activity of the upper levels of the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince. You now can see the road that continues up from Placer Gulch and on into Picayune Gulch. N Page 212

Hanson Peak

Loading dock Silver Queen Hidden Treasure Nine /Path of tranway

"' ~^~"~ Sunnyaide Extension Gold Prince boardin. Gold Prince Mi Sound Democrat Nine

Gold Prince ' Tramway

--=STB

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Page 213 Ahead on the right can be seen the concrete foundation of the Gold Prince Mine boarding house. The structure was built early in the 1900's and housed 150 men. A tramway base can be seen on the left side of the foundation. It appears from the old pictures that supplies for the boarding house, which were shipped by tram, were unloaded at the boarding house at this locality. Trams were often used to transport supplies to the mine site. Miners also would ride in the buckets to their destination. Looking towards Treasure Mountain you will see, furthest to the left, the Sound Democrat Mine. To the right of the Sound Democrat is the Silver Queen tunnel and workings. The Silver Queen was possibly discovered in the 1880's. This mine was developed on three levels on a well defined and broad vein as wide as a wagon road. The timbers you can see came from the mine structure that served all three levels. The mine sold in 1901 for $25,000. Continuing on to the right is the Hidden Treasures Mine. This mine, owned by Rasmus Hanson, was being worked in the 1890's. Hanson later sold the mine for a reported $100,000. The mine tunnel was later worked as part of the Gold Prince operation. Also ahead and to the left of the road on the stream is a dam structure that was probably built for use by the Sound Democrat Mill. The water may have been carried by a wooden flume to the mill. Page 214 N Hidden Treasure Sunnyside Extension/Gold Mine Prince Mine / Picayune A, /Tram \ Gulch / Silver Queen Mine / Hanson Mill

Treasure Mine building Mountain

Gold Prince boarding house V% y^ -j— Approximate \ Sound Democrat site Mine of \ * water \ f/ flume \

Sound Democrat California Mill ^ \ Mountain Q Tram towers Mastodon Mill

Page 215

As you continue, the road meets a junction. This route description will stay to the right . for a short distance and then return to this junction. The road to the left exits Placer Gulch and travels over Treasure Mountain into Picayune Gulch.

As the road bends back to the right you will pass the ruins of the Hanson Mill.

# 44 Hanson Mill (Sunnyside Extension Mill)

The Hanson Mill was built in 1889 by Rasmus Hanson to treat the ores from the Sunnyside Extension Mine later known as the Gold Prince Mine.

The twenty stamp mill had the capacity of 47 tons a day and was driven by steam. The footings for the stamps can still be seen.

A tram was built in the year 1893 to carry the ore from the upper workings in the basin above to the mill. The tramway ran 2,300 feet.

The bricks at the mill site were the foundation for the boiler. Page 216

Hanson Mill also known as Sunnyside Extension Mill San Juan Historical Society

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Page 217 Rasmus Hanson came to the San Juans in 1876 from Denmark and was to become an important contributor to the mining development in the San Juan area. Although some question exists, it is noted that Rasmus Hanson may have built one of the first cabins in Animas Forks and was later to become mayor of the little town. Rasmus Hanson, upon working as superintendent for the owner of the Sunnyside Extension Mine and knowing its worth, purchased the mine and developed it further, along with constructing the mill. Under Hanson ownership, the operation shipped the richest ore found in the county. Hanson also acquired and developed several other valuable mining properties in this area. As this side road continues around the ruins of the Hanson Mill, you will see ahead and to the right a large mine structure that may have been used by both the Sunnyside Extension and the Gold Prince Mine operations. The concrete foundation to the right of the road is what remains of the Gold Prince boarding house. This road, which may in the future be for foot traffic only, continues past the foundation of the boarding house onto the workings on the Neptune Claim. At the bend in the road you will see a tunnel associated with the operation. Other prospect works can also be seen in this area. This claim was never known to produce valuable ore. Ahead and on the right of the road are the two tram bases seen from the lower road. Upper workings of the Sunnyside Ext./Gold Prince Mine Page 218

To Picayune Gulch Hanson Peak Sunnyside „____ Ext./Gold Prince Mijne I \ \ Sunnyside Ext./GoId rHidden \ o—Prince Mine structure \ \ Treasure Mine \ Nathan Rich Treasure silver Queen Mine Mountain N -'"Claim Foundations

Sound Democrat Mine structure ^ p Mine Gold boarding \ Castaway house and \ Salmarea Excelsior \ Claim . Claim \ N. California Mountain

n\ ra ra -4'

The large gray dump located ahead and to the right of the road may have been the workings on the Nathan Rich Claim which was part of the Neptune operation.

Just before the junction you will see on the right, foundations of other mine structures, one of which appears to have been an electrical power house. At the junction the road makes a right and continues up to a middle level of the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince Mine. Pkge 220

Head of Placer Gulch with a view of the Gold Prince Mine and the original GoW Prince Mill at the bottom of the picture. The Hanson Mill and Gold Prince Boarding House is located left of center. San Juan Historical Society

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Page 221 45 Sunnyside Extension Mine The Sunnyside Extension Mine was located in 1874 by Morris Rich and was known as the Mountain Pride. The mine was later sold, after an ownership dispute, for $10,000 and reorganized under the name J. Baldwin. This company failed to patent the claim or do the necessary assessment work and the claim was relocated by Ed Gibson and called the Sunny Side Extension. In 1882 it was sold to Rasmus Hanson who was working at the mine as a superintendent. Hanson extensively developed the mine and made it a profitable producer. The mine which was worked on three levels was known as a gold pro- perty. The operation shipped carloads of ore running from $1,500 to $3,000 per ton. # 46 Gold Prince Mine The Sunnyside Extension Mine was renamed the Gold Prince Mine in 1903 when it was purchased from Rasmus Hanson by Cyrus Davis and Henry Soule, owners of the Gold King operation at Gladstone. The Gold Prince Mine covered 16 claims and was located on the same veins as the Sunnyside Mine which sits on the south side of Hanson Peak in Sunnyside Basin. The vein was 75 feet to 100 feet in width. To Picayune Page 222 Gulch

/ I Hanson / , Peak

Sunnyside Extension/ Gold Prince Mine

Approximate area of the Mastodon Mine

_ Sunnyside Extension/Gold • Prince Mine structure

Early Gold Prince milling plant

Nathan Rich Claim

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Page 223 A small milling plant was built just below this level. Timbers and tailings can still be seen. The main mill was later built in Animas Forks and the ore was transported by tramway to the mill. The cinder block seen near the mine entrance is an addition of a lessee who worked the mine in the 1940's and 1950's. At this point you can look back down the gulch and see the timbers from the Hanson Mill. Between this spot and the Hanson Mill was the small milling plant associated with the Gold Prince Mine. Looking to the right of the Gold Prince operation was the location of the Mastodon Mine. It is hard to distinguish the Mastodon Mine operations from that of the Gold Prince. The large tunnel above the gray dump on the lower face of Hanson Peak is on the Nathan Rich Claim and was worked with the Neptune operation.

From here the road makes several switchbacks up beyond the Gold Prince Mine operation and continues on to Treasure Mountain and into Picayune Gulch. You may choose to end the route up Placer Gulch at this point and return to the junction at the bottom of California Gulch as the road beyond here becomes more difficult. / Page 224 Upper workings of the Sunriyside Ext. /Gold Prince/-v*v-r' - Mine To Picayune Gulch / Hanson / Peak °^ / Prospect tunnel Loading l v\ X dock

Dam Sunnyside Ext./Gold

Hidden Treasure Mine

Silver Queen Sunnyside Extension/Gold Mine • ^Prince Mine structure Old Trail to Early Gold Nathan Rich Silver Queen Prince Claim j., >- milling plant ("ft rrfi P^I p=f» HTI ..—• 1i _ —i. i —.1 —' —1 —1. • _ i —'i - J J J I J I i IMJ IMJ IMJ (Ml (Ml LMJ LMJ IMJ LMU

Page 225 If your choice is to continue up the road, you will find at the first switchback an old trail that takes you closer to the Silver Queen and Sound Democrat Mines. Because this trail soon becomes impassable for vehicle travel, foot traffic is advised.

The route continues past the switchback on to the top of the Gold Prince operation where the lower mine tunnel can be seen on the left. Just beyond this at a second switchback is a concrete water dam in the small stream. At a third switchback you will see another old impassable trail that once led to an upper level of the Silver Queen Mine. The large dump and workings on the left may have been from the Hidden Treasure claim. A prospect tunnel is seen on the left as the road continues to climb. As you enter the upper basin a loading structure, which may have been part of the Mastodon Mine operation, is seen on the right

The road circles around the basin. An old road that leads up to the upper workings of the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince Mine takes off to the right. This road becomes narrow and is passable only for a short distance and may be closed in the future. Foot traffic is advised. After the road climbs out of the basin you will have an extensive view of Placer Gulch and across the canyon to Engineer Mountain. The road Page 226

Upper workings of \^. Alpine lake * . Hanson the Sunnyside Extension/ * / / Peak Gold Prince Mine —*?+r

/\ Hurricane /\\ ^Viewpoint O

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Page 227 visible on Engineer Mountain is the Engineer Pass Road. Looking back to the north in the far distance is the yellow peak of Hurricane Mountain and the road that crosses the mountain from Poughkeepsie Basin into California Gulch. The road seen at the beginning of Placer Gulch comes up from Animas Forks to connect with this route at the junction. Mountains: Hanson Peak - 13,454' - back to the left California Mountain - 13,184' - left Treasure Mountain - 12,783' right You will have a second view of the mining activity on the Castaway Claim. The route crosses a saddle giving a viewpoint to the right that looks down into the head of Parsons Gulch. This small gulch drops into Eureka Gulch. A short road to the right gives you a view of a small picturesque lake and the mountain ranges in the distance. As the road continues past the saddle you will be looking ahead to Treasure Mountain. Stopping here and looking back will give you a view of Hanson Peak with the upper workings of the Sunnyside Extension/Gold Prince Mine. Beyond Hanson Peak you will again see Hurricane Peak and to the right California Mountain which divides California Gulch and Placer Gulch. Also on the slopes just below can be seen the mining activity on the upper claims that existed on Treasure Mountain which were viewed from the gulch To Picayune Handies . ) s Page 228 \ / Gulch Peak rr ^ ^N

Ns Grouse Gulch Treasure — Mountain Jones Mountain J UPPKR BASIN OP PICAYUNE GULCH Burns Gulch Alpine lakes Niagara Peak r

Mine dump "/ I To Placer Gulch N S Crown Mountain

\ \ \ I Alpine A lake Eureka Mountain \ S U -Ii -U IMJ Jfil (Ml IMJ ItalJ IMJ

Page 229 below. A good view of the mine workings along with the Gold Prince Tramway in Placer Gulch can be seen at this point. As the road crosses over into Picayune Gulch you will find some timbers from a structure on the right. Small alpine lakes, which may be dry during the later part of the season, are found in this area and down in the valley to the right. To the right down into the valley you can see recent mining activity in the form of several dumps taken from a large tunnel back into Treasure Mountain. This work was done by the Noranda Mining Company in the 1970's and 1980's. ?^s the road starts to drop into Picayune Gulch you can see across the canyon. The large gulch across the valley to the right is Burns Gulch. In many places as you continue down this road you will see the road that leads up into the gulch. At the head of Burns Gulch is Jones Mountain and to the right of that is Niagara Peak. Further to the right of Niagara Peak is Crown Mountain which stands above the townsite of Eureka The large gulch to the left of Burns Gulch is Grouse Gulch which contained the workings of the Little Dora Mine. The large mountain peak beyond Grouse Gulch is Handies Peak. To Page 230 Picayune Gulch Picayune Scotia Mine Gulch \, road Golden / Fleece Mine Mountain - Treasure Mountain Burns Gulch Niagara Peak \ Eure Mountain 7 Mine dump To ridge Placer Gulch Alpine Eureka Crown * lake Mountain Mountain

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Page 231 Mountains: Jones Mountain - 13,600* - right Niagara Peak - 13,807' - right Crown Mountain - 13,569' - back and to the right Eureka Mountain - 12,800* - back and to the right

Down in the valley below can be seen the road that circles Picayune Gulch and a road that will take you to the upper area of the gulch. The ridge across the valley is part of Eureka Mountain. On the left of the road can be seen prospect tunnels and dumps. On the ridge is a large dump that belongs to the Golden Fleece Mine. A road takes off back to the right and leads to the upper basin of Picayune Gulch. The road dead ends approximately £ mile at the modern dumps left by the Noranda Mining Company. In this same area can be seen the large tunnel belonging to that operation. It is unsafe to enter the tunnel. Again it is important to remember to respect the fact that most of these workings are on private property and trespassing may not be permitted. A second road to the right is blocked and on the left is the large dump from the Scotia Mine. A collapsed mine structure is seen on the right. Beyond the large dump is a road to the left that takes you back to the Scotia and Golden Fleece mine operations and dead ends. Page 232 To Toltec Mine Picayune workings Scotia Extension Gulch Claim \M Scotia

Picayune Golden Gulch _ Fleece road Treasure Mountain \

Mine dump Eureka Mountain i*n n ,LJ- Ml Ml 1MJ u u

Page 233 # 47 Scotia and Golden Fleece Mines The Scotia Mine, being the lower workings of the two mines, was worked as early as 1895. The Scotia Vein reaches the summit of the mountain and runs parallel with the Golden Fleece Vein.

The mine was owned and operation, along with the Golden Fleece, in the late 1890's by Rasmus Hanson until he sold both operations around 1900. The Golden Fleece Mine was worked as early as 1889, although there is indication that the mine was discovered in the late 1870's. Tun- neling was done on the Golden Fleece to intersect the Scotia vein. Both mines were worked as late as the 1930°s and 1940's and produced some of the highest grade of free gold ever mined in Colorado. Just beyond the road to the left you will pass additional activity on both sides of the road that was done on the Scotia Extension Claim. The upper workings of the Toltec Mine can be seen on the point to the left. s \ Page 234 Cinnamon 'I \ Mountain Grouse Gulch

Toltec Mine workings

Jones / N Mountain

San Juan Burns Gulch Queen w Claim Niagara ^ Peak 'I \ Treasure Mountain Upper Picayune Basin To \ '^Golden Placer Fleece Mine Gulch CF* rr fw* --H j~-j~ -I-i '^«_ Ji

Page 235 In this area you will have a another good view of Grouse Gulch. Ahead on Cinnamon Mountain can be seen the Cinnamon Pass Road. You will also have an excellent second view of Burns Gulch which is to the right of Grouse Gulch.

As you descend and make a switchback you will see on the mountain slopes above the road the Scotia and Golden Fleece Mines. Upper Picayune Gulch can be seen ahead. Further down the road you can look left across the small creek, and in the pines see timbers that are remnants of mining cabins. Below the cabin timbers in the rock outcropping are two prospect tunnels. To the right can be seen an old mine structure situated next to a small mining operation which may be located on or near the San Juan Queen Claim. #48 San Juan Queen

The San Juan Queen Claim was located in 1890 and yielded small amounts of high-grade gold and silver ore. Rasmus Hanson worked this claim in the early 1900's along with several other claims and mines in the area. To the Silverton-Animas Forks Page 236 road-

Treasure Mountain Mine operation

Old road

San Cabin Juan timbers To Queen Treasure Placer Claim D Gulch Mountain une Gulch loop road 1.1 JJ. r-fi rr?i r^ 1 IMJ i± u

Page 237 In 1897, the mine operation had a small boarding house and blacksmith shop. The road coming into this main road at the switchback is the loop road that runs through Picayune Gulch. This route is described in the first Tour the San Juans Book.

The faint roadway to the right after the junction leads to the bottom of the Treasure Mountain Mine loading chute and is closed and impassable further down. Foot traffic is advised. As you continue down the road you will see the buildings on the right which belong to the Treasure Mountain Mining Company. # 49 Treasure Mountain Gold Mine

The Treasure Mountain Gold Mine consisted of 30 claims. Included were the Golden Fleece and Scotia claims seen above, along with the San Juan Queen Claim. Most of the activity on this operation took place in the 1930's, along with the construction of the buildings that still remain. y" County Road Page 238 To Silverton To Animaa Porks "I Upper workings of the Toltec Mine

Picayune Gulch o— loop road Treasure Mountain Mine operation

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Page 239 The building furthest to the left was the boarding house. The struc- ture had hot and cold running water with a bath and toilet located in a detached building connected with the house by an enclosed corri- dor. In 1937, the Treasure Mountain Company started to explore the veins of the Golden Fleece and the Scotia from below with a tunnel located at an altitude of 11,600*. This tunnel, known as the Santiago Tunnel, is located at this site and goes back under the road into the mount- ain. Diamond drilling was utilized in driving the tunnel with the ore being brought out by ore cars and taken to the chute. The road continues down the canyon and just before meeting with the loop junction, an indistinct and impassable road may be seen to the right. This road at one time came from the chute of the Treasure Mountain Mine operation. At the junction, the road to the right is the loop road of Picayune Gulch and is described in the first Tour the San Juans book. This route stays to the left, descends quickly, passing a prospect hole on the left and connects with the Silverton to Animas Forks Road. This ends the Placer Gulch through Picayune Gulch route. Page 240 HISTORICAL NOTES

The San Juan Mountains are generally volcanic, cover 12,000 square miles, and are considered one of the newest ranges as well as one of the steepest. The elevation in San Juan County ranges from 8,500 feet to over 13,000 feet. The county has more peaks that reach above 13,000 feet than any other county in the United States. The county is surrounded by mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet, but they do not exist in the county itself. Timberline in San Juan County is generally located at 11,500 feet. The forest you will find below timberline will be of the spruce, fir, and pine family interspersed with groups of aspen. There are several hundred species of flowers noted in the summer along with the Colorado State flower, the blue and white columbine. San Juan County does not have an agriculture patent nor a plowed acre of farming ground in the entire county.

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Page 241 HISTORICAL NOTES (Continued) Snow depths can range from two or three feet or more in the valley with five to eight feet at higher ranges.

Just as snowslides are a familar part of the winter scene, so are mud and rock slides a part of the spring and summer scenario. More miners were killed by snowslides than in the mines. More than 200 snowslide-related deaths have occured to this date.

Avalanche is a modern word. The early miners referred to them as snowslides.

Of the main ores found in the mountains of this area, silver made up the largest percentage, with gold in second place followed by zinc, lead, and copper. Naturally, gold was first when considering dollar value. Because of the cooling process, the higher the ore was found on the mountain away from the volcanic action, the richer the ore.

According to reliable sources, the rich ores located in the mountains have just barely been scratched by the past mining activity. Page 242 HISTORICAL NOTES (Continued) Of the 12,000 square miles known as the San Juan Mountain Range, more than 5,000 square miles were under the control of mining districts. In San Juan County alone, over one-fourth of the 405 square miles are recorded in mining claims. The value of the ore mined in San Juan County surpasses 200 million dollars. Approximately 100 tons of gold and 2,000 tons of silver were produced. One of the first attempts to treat or process the ores before the product could be shipped out of the area was with an arrastra, which is a stone basin filled with a heavy millstone which ground the soft ores to powder as it was slowly turned by horse or burro. Soon to follow the arrastra were mills and smelters which were built on the mine site or within close distance to avoid the high cost of shipping the heavy ore. Reduction or stamp mills only had a 65% recovery rate with 35% being washed down the river. Smelters, used to further treat the ore after the reduction/stamp mill process, had less than 65% and usually lasted only one season before shutting down because the complexities of the ores in this area made it particularly hard for smelters to treat.

Page 243 HISTORICAL NOTES (Continued) Wagons and pack animals were used to haul trhe processed ore out of the area to the eastern slope at a cost of $50 to $60 per ton. The arrival of the Silverton-Northern Railroad in Silverton in 1882 helped to bring down that cost. A network of tramways was built in several locations throughout this valley and its gulches to carry the ore from the mines to the mills. The trams had a two-fold purpose as they also carried supplies back to the mines. Some of the locations of these tramways are obvious, but still others are obscure and are under further study. Most of the tramway systems in this area used a stationary cable along with a traveling cable carrying the buckets from the mine to the mill with the empty buckets being pulled up the slopes by the descending loaded buckets. There were occasions when steam power was used if gravity was not adequate. Page 244 SUGGESTED READING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Brown, Robert. AN EMPIRE OF SILVER. Published in 1984

Kaplan, Michael. OTTO MEARS: PARADOXICAL PATHFINDER. Published in 1982

PubUshed ^989 MANY M°RE M°UNTAINS: Vo1— 1 SILVERTON"S ROOTS.

Published in11^ ^^ "^ M°UNTAINS: Volum^ 2 RUTS INTO SILVERTON.

ii°?975 R°bert E' THE RAINBOW ROUTE: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY. Published

Smith, P. David. MOUNTAINS OF SILVER. Published in 1994 Wyman, Louis. SNOWFLAKES AND QUARTZ. Published in 1993

isi> lijIBd- JJ--U -l Page 245 SUGGESTED VISITS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION San Juan County Court House The court house, located at the east end of Green Street, was built in 1907. The elegant structure retains most of its original furnish- ings and still functions for its intended purpose. The large San Juan Triangle Map, located in the Recorder's Office, is of interest to those seeking information regarding old mining claims.

San Juan Historical Society Museum The Historical Society Museum, located next to the court house on Green Street, offers a view of the miner and early settlers' lifestyle and many artifacts from the area. The Museum has recently expanded. They also offer for purchase, many books, and pamphlets of local interest. Carnegie Library The Library, built in 1906, is located on Reese Street and offers a large section of books on local history.

Silverton's Visitor Center The Visitor Center is located at the southwest end of Greene Street just as you come into Silverton. Here you will find information on the surrounding area, maps, and pamphlets.

Old Hundred Mine Tour The tour is open seven days a week and is located up Cunningham Gulch. Page 246 BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS:

Brown, Robert. AN EMPIRE IN SILVER. Denver, Colorado: Sundance Publi- cations, Limited, 1984

Kaplan, Michael. OTTO MEARS: PARADOXICAL PATHFINDER. Silverton, Colorado: San Juan County Book Company, 1982 Nossaman, Allen. MANY MORE MOUNTAINS, Volume 1: Silverton's Roots. Denver, Colorado: Sundance Publications, Limited, 1989 Nossaman, Allen. MANY MORE MOUNTAINS, Volume 2: Ruts into Silverton. Denver, Colorado: Sundance Publications, Limited, 1993 Sloan, Robert E., and Skowronski, Carl A., THE RAINBOW ROUTE, An Illus- trated History. Denver, Colorado: Sundance Publications, Limited, 1975 Young, Otis E. Jr. WESTERN MINING. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1970

01

Page 247 ARTICLES: "History of San Juan County." COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES QUARTERLY (October, 1910). Ledyard, Edger M. "The San Juan Country." AX-I-DENT-AX Magazine, Salt Lake City: U.S. Smelting, Refining, and Mining Co., Vol. 16, No. 12 (December, 1931) through Vol. 17, No. 5 (May 1932).

GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS Burbank, Wilbur S., and Luedke, Robert G. GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE EUREKA AND ADJOINING DISTRICTS, SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 535, 75 pages. Hazen, Scott W. "LEAD-ZINC-SILVER IN THE POUGHKEEPSIE DISTRICT AND PART OF THE UPPER UNCOMPAHGRE AND MINERAL POINT DISTRICTS IN OURAY AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES, COLORADO" Henderson, Charles W. "MINING IN COLORADO: A HISTORY OF DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION." USGS Professional Paper 138. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1926. Page 248 King, William H., and Allsman, Paul T. RECONNAISSANCE OF METAL MINING IN THE SAN JUAN REGION, OURAY, SAN JUAN, AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES, COLORADO. U.S. Department of Interior, Information Circular 7554, Goverment Printing Office, 1950. Ransome, Frederick Leslie. A REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF THE SILVERTON QUADRANGLE, COLORADO. USGS Bulletin 182, Washington, D, C. : Government Printing Office, 1901 ** MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES: Newspaper articles compiled by WORKS PROCESSING ASSOCIATION

NEWSPAPERS: LaPlata Miner (Silverton) San Juan Hearld (Silverton) Silverton Democrat (Silverton) Silverton Miner (Silverton) San Juan Courier (Silverton) INTERVIEWS: Jones, William R. (Silverton, Colorado) Zanoni, George D., (Silverton, Colorado) JJLjy&ilJUUl JlMiJ ' I . \

Poughkeepsie

rlene A. Reidnead has devel- i this series of guide books to help Gray Copper Animas Basin Forks ,iers enjoy the history and scenery

the San Juans. ^ v Ross Basin To ^s p Mogul Mine > he first book is a guide from Sil- CorksCorkscrec w Gulch ton to Animas Forks following the Minnehaha Picayune Gulch mimas River drainage. Basin Gladstone-.-'-,. v South Fork ""his book takes you from Silverton Prosoect ' Townsite Cement Creek to Gladstone. The Gulch Cement Creek tite continues to Lake Como and Eureka Townsite rops down California Gulch into v SILVERTOI* GENERAL MAP lacer Gulch and enters Animas Forks . j • ' Howardsville Townsite •om the northwest t This second book ^ implements but is independent of the mf~ Animas River drainage

'he Author's goal is to create guide books which are easy to use and to provide maps and descriptions of the many historical sites 'that this magnificent country has to offer.