Friday, August 14, 2015

Ironton/Red Mountain Mining District

 

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Wanting to hike but not in the mood for any serious climbs, I asked Mark and Bobbie where we might find an “easy” trail around Ouray. They suggested a drive to Ironton, 6 miles south of Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway, then a hike to the Colorado Boy Mine and maybe a couple other mines. Since they had climbed Twin Peaks the previous day they weren’t looking for anything too strenuous, either, so Debbie, Chris, Kim, Jim and I piled into our Subaru to follow the Johnsons to Ironton.

Red Mountain Creek. It’s obvious where Ironton got its name.

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A bit of history from the ouraycolorado.com website.

Ironton Townsite
Ironton, founded in 1883 at 9,800 feet elevation, is located at the north end of the Red Mountain Mining District. It was an extremely wealthy town, important as a transportation junction and a stage and supply center. The water in this area contained sulphuric acid, which ate up the metal machinery used in the mines. This was the main factor that lead to the closing of this area's mines. Population was between 800 and 1,000. This included mines and boarding houses in outlying areas. Several buildings are still standing. Through a grant providing funds for stabilization, the Red Mountain Project is currently stabilizing two of the three houses left standing in what was once the town of Ironton.

If you’re interested you can read more about the history of Ironton here..

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Trail to Colorado Boy Mine. Look how level this trail is!

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Doesn’t look too inviting. I peeked down the hole and there was evidence of recent use. What is wrong with people?

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Looking up at some old mining equipment. Looks like we have to go up and see what’s there.

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Interesting wooden water pipes .

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Our next stop was a few miles away on the road to Guston, Yankee Girl and Genessee mines. We hiked up the dirt road and wandered around the area.

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Even if you aren’t interested in old mines the scenery is so lovely it’s a great place to take a little hike.

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Suzanne rejoined us yesterday so this morning we’re taking her up Red Mountain #3. It was one of the hikes she was sorry she missed, and we’re willing to tackle the mountain once again. Mark is recuperating nicely from his hernia repair but it will be awhile before he’s back out on the trail.

13 comments:

  1. NICE! I obviously need to come back again. I'd gotten the impression that all Ouray hikes were vertical!

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  2. I just love this part of Colorado and nice to know there's actually a hike that isn't a huffer.

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  3. As wonderful as scenery and nature is for hiking, I always enjoy old "stuff" to look at and history to learn about. Old mines have some of the best of these and usually the great scenery to go with it. That iron-red water is pretty crazy :-)

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  4. Thanks for digging up some "history" on Ironton's mining district. I wish I was going along on Red #3 today (sniff). I think I could make it… really, I could!
    Box Canyon Mark

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    1. I know that you could have done it and then we could have just driven you straight to the ER.

      Jim

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  5. Very interesting and unusual hike. Beautiful natural scenery background for sure. I'm surprised someone doesn't get hurt in those old mines. Too bad someone didn't fall down that hole. LOL But that Red River is really something. I'd love to see it in person. Your pictures are terrific. Red is the word and the butterfly fits right into all the copper color.

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  6. Your photos just keep getting better! I better block off a consider amount of time when we next make it to Colorado. Everything looks so interesting.

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  7. My great grandparents were in that area in the late 1800s. We have driven by there, but never hiked to the mines. You are really acclimated to the altitude.

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  8. "Look how level this trail is!" I wouldn't have thought it possible! Thanks again for doing a "rerun" today up Red Mountain. I hope I never forget that 360 degrees of views!

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  9. Those are some impressive mining remains! It sure is fun to poke around those kind of sites.

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  10. Yes, a flat trail!! Sometimes some levelness is necessary. It is fun to occassionally be able to hike along without gasping for air:) I really like this trail. I've always enjoyed finding structures along the way, and we will go out of our way to see all buildings. I am looking forward to taking this trail. It is nice to see that various organizarions are trying to maintain some of these sites. Glad that Suzanne is back with the gang. Good she has such great friends:)

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  11. Interesting to see the area from another perspective besides Mark's, especially nice to know they are flat trails to be had out that way!

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  12. Nice to know there's conservation and preservation going on. That shot of the shaft made me dizzy.

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