The Ute Ulay Mine and Townsite is a National Historic District along the famous Alpine Loop outside Lake City, Colorado.
I have passed by it while traveling on the Alpine Loop to climb Wetterhorn Peak and Uncompahgre Peak, but didn’t have the time to stop and take a better look since there were peaks to bag.
This time around we planned better and baked in time to check out the old mining town while we spend time in the Lake City area.
Lake City’s development was due to these mines, and they were some of the best known mines in Colorado in the late 1800s, producing both lead and silver.
After the repeal of the Silver Act at the turn of the century, only sporadic mining continued until the 1990s.
The mines have been mapped at almost a mile in length, and they are not completely mapped so they are likely longer.
The site was donated to Hinsdale County and is considered one of Colorado’s best preserved mining sites, hence its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
HERE is a great writeup of the site and the history.
Highly recommend a visit if you pass through Lake City or are planning on doing the four-wheel drive Alpine Loop, there’s an easy walking path and very interesting buildings left.
Hidden Treasure Dam
The Hidden Treasure Dam looks mostly functional from this angle.
Ute Ulay Town and Millsite
X marks the spot
Ute Ulay Headframe
Colette inspects the headframe above the mineshaft
To The Alpine Loop
The Ute Ulay Mine sits along the Alpine Loop
No Trespassing
Shotgun Enforced!
Town Tour
There is a nice tour path through both sides of the town.
Area Closed
No sense falling through the rotten floorboards and having a piece of wood puncture your calf muscle!
Remnants
Plenty of remnants from the mine’s more recent operations.
