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Hello y'all!
Thanks to the help of UER members I was able to make a dream urbex vacation come true. Before I get into the details of the trip, I just want to say that without your help it would have been a fool's errand to explore this place without your input. Thank you so much.
Let's begin...
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My trip began with a long hike from the closest inconspicuous spot north of the intended location. A service road leads up to it separated by a river, which opposite has a defunct railroad line. The views along the way were gorgeous.
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Eventually the natural serenity gave way to the mine's brutal industrialism.
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Straddled across the river was a generating station that provided power for the 70 miles of tunnels underneath the mountain.
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Mining operations continued until 1984, but not before the area became contaminated with arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. In 1986 the EPA stepped in to manage the environmental contamination.
After a quick lunch and a short rest it was time to head up the mountainside toward the company town. The hike along a service road, a somewhat obscured trail, and then a drainage pipe was brutal at the 8,500 - 9,000 foot elevation. At first sight of the town, I must admit that I was beyond exhausted.
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The point at which I arrived was the most exposed to traffic from the nearby highway, so I snaked down to the southern end. It was there I came across a few other explorers who had parked close to the town. I feared they would attract attention, so I decided against spending time with them. But they were very nice and had been to the area before. They gave me some useful information for exploring the numerous buildings. The southern portion of the town had the store, a rudimentary clinic, a bowling alley, and garages.
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The above photo was shot with a Mavic Air, which I almost lost attempting to take aerial photos. For whatever reason the drone never picked up a GPS signal to mark an updated Return to Home marker. When I sent it up in the air it lost connection, at which point it will automatically return to home. EXCEPT the previous return to home marker was all the way down by the mine. The drone began to ascend and zoom towards the mine. I panicked, screaming NO NO NO NO NO NO! But fortunately a connection was reestablished and I returned it home. Phew!!!
After that panic I headed north.
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As I headed into the dense overgrowth surrounding the homes in the middle of the community, the strenuous nature of the exploration started catching up to me. I was beginning to feel exhausted, running low on food and water, and had severe cramps in both of my feet. I pressed on not wanting to miss a thing.
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Eventually it became time to leave. I decided to exit via the main gate.
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At the point of total exhaustion, I decided to hitchhike back to my car parked several miles north. I am ever grateful the nice couple that drove me back.
I regret not having the time to search inside the buildings more in depth. This place definitely warrants another visit some time in the future to accomplish that. But I am quite happy with the results.
[last edit 8/10/2018 7:48 PM by kenfagerdotcom - edited 2 times]
Flickr: http://www.flickr....os/kenfagerdotcom/ |
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the awesomeness is almost unbearable!
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Those drone pics give us a view that we rarely get to see here on UER, very very cool!
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kenfagerdotcom, jesus fucking christ in a coup deville *drool*... I'm in wuv.
That had to be fun!
Need at least a couple days.
Drop dead gorgeous shots
Really enjoyed seeing these.
[last edit 8/11/2018 1:18 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Just awesome brother. Fantastic work! Colorado is now officially the target for next summer's adventure. These places are disappearing fast. I need to get out there before they are all gone.
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.
Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. |
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Love the drone shots.
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Holy Bat Shit Robin !!
Epically amazing photos and views...thanks so much for the post and story 
*glad you didn't lose your drone too...I can imagine the panic of how you must of felt before it picked up your signal 
"if you are not selfish enough to make yourself happy, you have nothing of value to offer the world." |
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Wow.
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This has to be the most comprehensive look at this place I've ever seen on this site. I have to repeat the praise for the drone shots, I adore the way they showcase the ruins in the broader context of their gorgeous setting. All of the exterior shots are gorgeous, really.
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This is the first time I've ever seen this place. Guess my next vacation is going to be out West
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That's quite awesome!
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Incredible!
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Wow, really great shots! I love the drone pics, very, awesome!
"My shadow's the only one that walks beside me." |
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Posted by Baldran
This has to be the most comprehensive look at this place I've ever seen on this site.
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Thanks!
There are even more photos split across two albums on Flickr if you would like to see more.
https://www.flickr.../72157672151785628
https://www.flickr.../72157698418275651
[last edit 8/11/2018 6:05 PM by kenfagerdotcom - edited 1 times]
Flickr: http://www.flickr....os/kenfagerdotcom/ |
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Wow...I wonder if there's any buildings left in town without tags? That place has seen heavy, heavy traffic since I was there last.
Did you attempt to enter the underground mill in the canyon?
[last edit 8/16/2018 6:28 AM by imprezawrxsti - edited 1 times]
do you know how to waltz? |
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Thanks for the absolutely amazing shots! You really showcase the glory of the place like no other.
Keep up the good work!
You can't handle the truth! |
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Posted by imprezawrxsti
Wow...I wonder if there's any buildings left in town without tags? That place has seen heavy, heavy traffic since I was there last.
Did you attempt to enter the underground mill in the canyon?
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I made a go at the mill on my first visit but it was locked up tight (Chains and bad air sign). Have you been inside?
You can't handle the truth! |
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I have. These are from two expeditions, one in '09, the other in 2010. I haven't been back since then, unfortunately. I heard that the Newhouse adit (big one closest to the railroad siding inside the steel structure which I suspect you checked) has been chained up for a while but there's enough traffic down there these days that I'd be surprised if the caretakers haven't had to replace a few locks. The bad air situation is the result of a lack of ventilation due to the place being sealed up - the old air shafts are the only vents at the moment.
There's also a few other adits in the area that lead into Belden but the mine itself is flooded w about 800,000 gallons of water.
do you know how to waltz? |
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Posted by imprezawrxsti
I have. These are from two expeditions, one in '09, the other in 2010. I haven't been back since then, unfortunately. I heard that the Newhouse adit (big one closest to the railroad siding inside the steel structure which I suspect you checked) has been chained up for a while but there's enough traffic down there these days that I'd be surprised if the caretakers haven't had to replace a few locks. The bad air situation is the result of a lack of ventilation due to the place being sealed up - the old air shafts are the only vents at the moment.
There's also a few other adits in the area that lead into Belden but the mine itself is flooded w about 800,000 gallons of water.
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I was there in 2014 and the mill was accessible. It took a little ingenuity, but it was easily done.
Matter of fact, the bulkhead pressure reading showed the mine was fairly empty. Turning on the faucet revealed clean water too.
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Ethics
