Living a mile closer to the sun than sea level, Coloradans typically possess an arsenal of heat-busting tactics: extended grocery-store visits, discount double features, idle contemplation in front of open freezer doors.
But for a cooler way to beat the heat, go subterranean: Tour a mine.
From the dome of the Capitol building to the name of its NBA team, Colorado boasts about its mineral-rich past. Mine tours offer stories of the people, tools and times that forged the state’s history, along with generous shade and geological eye candy. They are at once educational adventures and virtual time machines, transporting visitors back to an era of dynamite and lantern light.
Perhaps the best part: Mines stay cool all year, even during a July scorcher.
Tour seasons and price packages vary, so call or visit a mine’s website before your trip to verify times and prices. You’ll also want to check for directions; many mines don’t have traditional GPS-ready addresses.
1. Hidee Gold Mine
Packed with old-fashioned charm, the Hidee Gold Mine complex looks the part of a turn-of- the-century mining hamlet. Named after a once-popular dancer from Central City, this quaint relic of “the richest square mile on Earth” now stands as one of the area’s top family attractions. Visitors are encouraged to pick up a chisel and ax and have a go at one of the mine’s gold veins with only one rule: finders, keepers. The tour lasts 90 minutes, half of which is spent about 135 feet below ground. Bonus: The tour is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.Central City Parkway, Central City; 720-548-0343 or hideegoldmine.com
2. The Phoenix Gold Mine
Mine owner Al Mosch’s family has been in the business since the 1800s. So mining isn’t just an interest for Mosch; it’s in his blood. The Phoenix, an operating mine, has yielded hauls of silver, gold, copper, pyrite and tellurium (solar-panel material), but its greatest treasure may be its enchanted history. National Geographic once sent a team of paranormal investigators to glean its otherworldly offerings. Beyond its entertaining and informative tour, the mine serves as the eternal resting place of a former visitor and Phoenix enthusiast, whose remains were shipped in from Maryland.800 Trail Creek Road, Idaho Springs; 303-567-0422 or phoenixgoldmine.com
3. Country Boy Mine
From 1887 to 1948, the Country Boy Mine produced gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper. Today, it is one of the more popular mine tours in the state. The 45-minute trek includes a drill demonstration and spoken history of the era and people who worked its tunnels at its rock hauling peak. Bring a picnic along to enjoy after the tour, and watch nearby miniature ponies meander the day away. The mine is open year-round and maintains an inner temperature of roughly 45 degrees regardless of the weather outside.542 French Gulch Road, Breckenridge; 970-453-4405 or countryboymine.com
4. Matchless Mine
Perhaps no mine is as well known to the average Coloradan as Leadville’s Matchless Mine. The Matchless was owned by Denver silver king Horace Tabor and his new wife (by way of no small scandal), Elizabeth McCourt “Baby” Doe Tabor. The mine and other ventures helped propel the Tabors to the pinnacle of society, before a series of calamities and misfortune toppled their multimillion-dollar empire. While the tour never goes underground — the mine shaft is visibly flooded — summer tourists may still get a chill from the cabin/tool shed where, in the winter of 1935, the frozen body of penniless and destitute Baby Doe Tabor was discovered.Leadville; 719-486-1229
5. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
This trip starts with a 1,000-foot vertical drop in a rumbling elevator. Once on the tunnel floor, you’ll learn about mining terms and methods, push a 1-ton ore cart and ride a Tram-Air-Locomotive, one of the last of its kind, manufactured in the Cripple Creek Gold Camp. Once featured on the Outdoor Channel’s “Gold Fever” program, this relic still has plenty of wealth inside, evidenced by a large gold vein pointed out on the tour.9388 Colorado 67, Cripple Creek; 719-689-2466 or goldminetours.com
6. Cresson Mine
For those curious about the workings of a modern mine but who prefer to stay above ground, this tour is for you. The two-hour expedition starts with a taste of history at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum before a van-guided tour of surface operations at Cresson Mine, the state’s largest gold mine. While many tours show visitors how things used to be done, the Cresson Mine focuses on today and showcases modern large- scale surface-mining techniques.500 Victor Ave., Victor; 719-689-4211 or victorcolorado.com/mining.htm
7. The Hard Tack Mine
When the guide turns out the lights in one particular section of this 1889 mine, spectators audibly gasp at the fluorescent rocks that glow beneath an ultraviolet light in a myriad of blue, red, green and purple hues. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and employs hardworking mannequins that add a pleasant splash of kitsch to the educational journey, complete with underground rock and gift shop. After the trip, step into the above-ground gift shop for some sandwiches and consistently crowd-pleasing ice cream.County Road 20, Lake City; 970-944-2506 or hardtackmine.com
8. Bachelor-Syracuse Mine
An hour-long rail ride jostles 1,800 feet into the belly of Gold Hill (although ironically, the mine mostly produced silver) and teaches passengers about mining equipment, techniques and the colorful history of this 1884 mine. For an additional fee after the tour, pan for gold in a nearby mountain stream or take a horse out for an afternoon trot. Bring a light jacket and an appetite: breakfast and lunch served daily.1222 County Road 14, Ouray; 970-325-0220 or bachelorsyracusemine.com
9. Creede Underground Mining Museum and Community Center
Built specifically as a museum and community center (not a mine), this Creede attraction offers a unique family experience. Twice a day, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., guided walking tours wind through an underground tunnel and take visitors on an hour-long journey through 100 years of mining technology. Between the guided tours, self directed audio tours are available. The underground complex hosts a large gift shop and rents out reception halls that accommodate 200-300 guests. Bingo every Monday night until October.503 Forest Service Road 9, Creede; 719-658-0811 or undergroundminingmuseum.com
10. Old Hundred Gold Mine
A popular tour for the past 20 years, this mine has been featured on the History Channel and local television programs. A tram sends visitors 1,600 feet into the Old Hundred and offers an opportunity to step out and walk in the footsteps of previous miners. Tour guides explain the mine’s history and its workers, call attention to geological points of interest and demonstrate mining tools and equipment. Gold panning is included with tour admission.721 County Road 4A, Silverton; 970-387-5444 or minetour.com
By The Denver Post
Photo Credit Hidee Gold Mine and The Denver Post
Author: Mile High Mamas
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