Buffalo Boy Mine

Buffalo Boy Mine was a small gold and silver mine located in San Juan County, Southwest Colorado, USA, at an elevation of 3.984m (13,070ft) above the sea level.

Buffalo Boy Mine

Part of the San Juan National Forest, the mine was a underground mining operation which started production around 1930.  Today the tramhouse is still in fairly good shape, and suspension cables still come out of it and head down the hill. The road to the mine is one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Located near Silverton, the road to the mine is unpaved with some rocky parts. A 4WD vehicle with high clearance is required. Avalanches, heavy snowfalls and landslides can occur anytime. On a rainy day the road is slippery in places. The road is steep and treacherous, climbing up the high mountainside with many tight switchbacks.

The trail follows numerous remnants of Colorado's mining heritage. Check weather forecasts before leaving home, and remember that it becomes cooler and often more prone to storms at higher elevations. Do the switchbacks exceedingly carefully. The apex of one hairpin to the right hangs over an abyss. It’s a real challenging road and a true test of your vehicle and your stamina. The road is totally impassable in winters.
Pic: Leo Graves

 

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