Animas Forks, California Pass, Hurricane Pass, Corkscrew Pass and Red Mountain Mining District

Outside of Silverton are many old mining roads.  Some go to old ghost towns, others lead to mines, long ago abandoned.  Along the way you see signs of the old mines.  Here someone has built a new home above the site of an old mine.

Some of the ruins show these sites were quite large at one time.

The trees are turning a little early this year, lucky for us, we get to see the wonderful color changes with the aspens.

There are signs someone is attempting to get this mine restarted.  With the gold and silver prices so high, some mines are being reopened.

Once a bridge across the creek, I don't think I would want to trust it now.

The ghost town of Animas Forks.  Founded around 1873, the town reached its peak in 1885 with a population of 450.  The town died in the 1920s as many of the mines closed for good.

One of the mines at Animas Forks.

Based on some signs in the area, this is the Historic Frisco Mill, built around 1905.

Parts of the building are still in tact and you can climb through the several stories of ruins.  Although, I think that one set of stairs might not go anywhere anymore.

On top of California Pass.

Looking down on Poughkeepsie Gulch and the road to Hurricane Pass.  

You feel like you are on top of the world with a 360 degree view.

All of the roads we were on today are rated as moderate, and they really did mean you needed a high clearance, 4wd vehicle.  I don't think my HHR would have made it.

We ran across a large herd of sheep.  Just regular sheep, hundreds of them.  We saw the sheep dog, but never the sheep herder, but I'm sure he was around somewhere close by.

Looking back and catching a glimpse of Tom and Phil as they come down the switchbacks on Corkscrew Pass.

They don't call it Red Mountain for nothing.

The colors were stunning.

The Yankie Girl Mine.

Although most mines are ruins and have been closed for years, there are still a few large modern mining operations going on in the area.