Colorado's mountains are dotted with abandoned mining structures. One in particular though, has been high on my list of places I wanted to check out. The Mary Murphy Mine was one of the states richest mines. Over the course of its operation, over $200 million in gold was mined here. An aerial tramway carried the ore more than a mile down the mountain to the mill for processing. Located way up the mountainside, a hike up a 1 mile long 4WD road was the fee to enjoy this location.

A Blue Mountain Stream by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Chrysolite Mountain by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Mary Murphy by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Miners Bunkhouse by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Mary Murphy Bunkhouse by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Bunkroom by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Inside the Bunkhouse by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

See Through Walls by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Abandoned Mountain View by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Coal Room by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Mary Murphy Tramhouse by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Inner Workings by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Wire Eater by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Tram Wire by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

PipeBW by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Wood and Steel by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Collapsed Ore Bin by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

Tram Terminal and the Boiler by Daniel McAdams, on Flickr

The 'Abandoned Mountain View' and 'Coal Room' pictures are my favorites, beautiful landscape.

Posted by enirus The 'Abandoned Mountain View' and 'Coal Room' pictures are my favorites, beautiful landscape.

Thank you! It was a gorgeous location. Beautiful ruins and a beautiful landscape make for a great explore.