Aug 29, 2024
Most Colorado Rocky Mtn trails go to historic mine sites, and Saints John trail takes us to couple very high mines - Wild Irishman & General Teller. Funtreks's rates this a difficult trail, but wifey did fine, didn't jump out even once!! Here's FT's page on Saints John.
Saints John is a very remote site with couple cabins & ore mill sites. In winter, these folks access these cabin with snowmobiles. We can see a cabin up ahead there.
Our wet summer has kept these streams flowing pretty good.
It's a steep rocky trail up to the Wild Irishman mine site's remaining cabin. In our younger days, wifey & I had some epic nordic skiing, and later snowshoeing trips up here.
It's a little rough - showing its age a bit. Sure, usually I'll agree altering any historic site is inappropriate. However, this particular cabin has been a very welcome shelter for very long time. I mean, at just under 12k ft, winter temps well under zero & 3 - 4ft snowpack, its potentially lifesaving shelter and great place to warm up with a hot toddy. Perhaps the Wild Irishman's cabin reno will complete next season??
We press-on to the top ridge at 12,400ft.
And meet this little toot. He was very curious, even checked out our Bronco.
General Teller's nearby mine site is one of the highest I've seem. There are tons of heavy head frame steel and facility lumber, but very little actual mine dump material. I could be wrong, but don't think Gen Teller was a very successful miner.
I've learned 1800s Arc welding was a thing, and widely used by 1890 - 1920s.
These sites are fun to explore, but we're burning daylight - Gotta roll!
Did I mention it's a steep & rocky trail - Great fun though!!
Feels like we're on the top of the world!!
It's a 3 hour, 11.3 mile loop. I want'a go back!
Cheers
Saints John is a very remote site with couple cabins & ore mill sites. In winter, these folks access these cabin with snowmobiles. We can see a cabin up ahead there.
Our wet summer has kept these streams flowing pretty good.
It's a steep rocky trail up to the Wild Irishman mine site's remaining cabin. In our younger days, wifey & I had some epic nordic skiing, and later snowshoeing trips up here.
It's a little rough - showing its age a bit. Sure, usually I'll agree altering any historic site is inappropriate. However, this particular cabin has been a very welcome shelter for very long time. I mean, at just under 12k ft, winter temps well under zero & 3 - 4ft snowpack, its potentially lifesaving shelter and great place to warm up with a hot toddy. Perhaps the Wild Irishman's cabin reno will complete next season??
We press-on to the top ridge at 12,400ft.
And meet this little toot. He was very curious, even checked out our Bronco.
General Teller's nearby mine site is one of the highest I've seem. There are tons of heavy head frame steel and facility lumber, but very little actual mine dump material. I could be wrong, but don't think Gen Teller was a very successful miner.
I've learned 1800s Arc welding was a thing, and widely used by 1890 - 1920s.
These sites are fun to explore, but we're burning daylight - Gotta roll!
Did I mention it's a steep & rocky trail - Great fun though!!
Feels like we're on the top of the world!!
It's a 3 hour, 11.3 mile loop. I want'a go back!
Cheers
UserError, raqball