Saturday, July 21, 2018
I’ve been driving by the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour near Silverton every summer for over a decade now, and every time I do I always think to myself that I should stop by and check it out sometime. Usually I have other plans and am headed elsewhere, so I never do. Since my family from out of town has been visiting me for the past few days, they wanted to go to the Ouray Hot Springs this morning and then drive over Red Mountain Pass so they could go on the Mine Tour and get dinner in Silverton afterwards. Since Diane and I have been tagging along with them wherever they want to go, we finally got our chance to check out this tour. I must say, it was pretty cool and very informative if you are at all interested in the old mines found in the region. For those who are not familiar, this particular tour lasts about one hour and takes you 1/3 of a mile into the heart of 13,300 foot Galena Mountain where you can follow the vein and see real mining equipment in action. I took a number of photos during the tour that you can check out below.
Welcome to the Old Hundred Gold Mine. I’ve driven by this mine many times over the years (just as recently as this past June), but this is the first time I have stopped. Macomber Peak (13,222) and Hematite Gulch are visible in the background over Cunningham Gulch.
You have to wear a jacket and hard hat while on the tour. Safety first!
The Old Hundred Tunnel that we would take us into the heart of Galena Mountain on an electric mine train.
Diane pans for gold in the sluice boxes near the tunnel as we waited for the tour to begin.
After riding the train into the mountain we went walking through a loop of tunnels.
Tools of the Trade. Our tour guide started up a few of the powered tools and they were very loud.
The old system of communication used for the hoist.
The Hoist
Walking through the lower tunnel with an open shaft above.
Notice!
The drilling pattern and blasting process was explained.
I liked the warm and cool tones of the lights in this tunnel.
Old Hundred Mucking Machine
Diane took this short video of the mucking machine in operation.
Leaving the tunnels behind as we got back on the train for our ride back out of the mountain.
I took this short video of the train leaving the tunnel. It was actually moving pretty fast and the ceiling was pretty low, so you definitely didn’t want to stand up or lean out of the cart!
Thanks Randy! Very interesting….I have been wanting to go there for a long time too.
You might also like the mining tour in Creede.