I will definitely be returning to this town very soon. Only had limited time to explore this past weekend.

Founded in 1886 during the Colorado Silver Boom, the town later became a center of lead and zinc mining in Colorado. It was abandoned in 1984 by order of the Environmental Protection Agency because of toxic pollutants, including contamination of the ground water, as well as unprofitability of the mines. It is currently a ghost town on private property and is strictly off limits to the public. The town sits at an elevation of 8950 ft on top of a dramatic 600-foot cliff.

As of 2007 there have been plans to demolish the town to make way for luxury housing as part of plans to create a new ski resort nearby. Obviously those plans have either stalled or changed because it's 2013 and the town remains as dead as ever.

I didn't take the time necessary for a stealthier entry, so I didn't explore the whole town. These photos are just a small sampling from about 5 of the many buildings scattered around the town.

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Wow, this is amazing!

Posted by rectumjunkie Wow, this is amazing!

I 2nd that!

I think we should plan a weekend next summer to all go stay the night and hit up this cute little town of awesomeness

Sweet! Assuming the graffiti was done in warmer months. Seems kinda funny to envision a bunch of determined taggers in parkas out painting in the snow

Thanks guys. Pretty exciting place to explore. I just wish I'd had a whole day to explore at least.

Posted by Sandbox I think we should plan a weekend next summer to all go stay the night and hit up this cute little town of awesomeness

That would be a lot of fun. I could spend a few days hanging out up there. So much I have yet to see.

Posted by bonnie&clyde Sweet! Assuming the graffiti was done in warmer months. Seems kinda funny to envision a bunch of determined taggers in parkas out painting in the snow

You'd be surprised. I know quite a few taggers and they are most definitely some of the most dedicated and determined people I know. They live for snow.

Looks like some young hooligans were riding their wheelie boards in there!

Annnnnd another Gilman thread. Good shots of the place, I see that it hasnt sustained very much more trashing.

Posted by Sandbox I think we should plan a weekend next summer to all go stay the night and hit up this cute little town of awesomeness

That would be a lot of fun, I especially agree with the summer part. I stayed in one of the buildings last september and it was very very cold even with my winter bag.

Great shots, one of my favorite Colorado locations!

Posted by Roadrunner6913 Great shots, one of my favorite Colorado locations!

Posted by cavemonkey Annnnnd another Gilman thread. Good shots of the place, I see that it hasnt sustained very much more trashing.

Thanks. It's pretty trashed up there. Most of it anyways.

Posted by mikeandike Thanks. It's pretty trashed up there. Most of it anyways.

And for next time, you missed the best part ;)

Posted by cavemonkey I see that it hasnt sustained very much more trashing.

Sad and irritating to see the place become such a dump, you know? At least those nimrods haven't burned anything. I hadn't realized the intrepid douchbags extended so far into the mountains, must be chapters in every county or somethin'.
Do note that I don't mean to imply the town sucks now - that isn't true at all, but quite a bit of the charm is gone unfortunately.

Delicious. Most of the interior shots look like they were taken in a school or community center. Thanks for sharing!

brb going to Colorado

Posted by cavemonkey And for next time, you missed the best part ;)

I'm assuming that the better stuff is down in the mine? There's so much there to explore.

A few extra shots.

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nice set! love that place, spent hours there and felt like I only saw a small part of it.... cant wait to go back. thanks for sharing!

Place is pretty massive. Many buildings to explore PLUS a mining town just below it where there is an open abandoned mine.
I can't speak from experience but some of my friends have been down there and they didn't even get to explore the entire place because of the sheer size. This is definitely one of the biggest abandoned towns that I know of.

Posted by Cairo Place is pretty massive. Many buildings to explore PLUS a mining town just below it where there is an open abandoned mine. I can't speak from experience but some of my friends have been down there and they didn't even get to explore the entire place because of the sheer size. This is definitely one of the biggest abandoned towns that I know of.

Yea it's huge. I spent like 6 hours there and only went through a handful of buildings. I'm much less interested in the mine itself. I like buildings more. Fortunately there is plenty of both to be had up there.

Pretty cool town I have to say as well
Been there one time, in winter. I won't forget my snow shoe next time lol