Turn around 180 degrees from the photo in the previous post and this is the view. The tramhouse still contains remnants of its former life. An ore cart hangs as it awaits another turn. Like a mechanics garage, parts are scattered about here and there.

Part 2: The Old 100 Boarding House

The Old 100 actually consists of the boarding house and the tram house. The picture on the right shows the cables still intact as they leave the tram house.

Serving as a lifeline, the ore carts not only transported their namesake, but they also ferried the miners and supplies up to the boarding house.

Given the slope and precarious terrain, it is was a feat that these structures were ever built. After surviving over 100 years of high-altitude sun, rain, rock slides, and avalanches, the remaining structures stand almost as if they are a testimony to the industrious nature of those who built them.

OLD 100 BOARDING HOUSE

Located near Silverton, CO, the Old 100 Boarding House is, IMO, one of the best remaining historic structures I've had the privilege of visiting.

I have been visiting Colorado ghost towns for the last 5 years. My efforts are part of a larger photography project, titled "What Remains?", which uses ghost towns as a metaphorical backdrop from which to address more personal and human themes.

Nevertheless, ghost towns also serve as wonderful reminder of days gone bye. Having dedicated some time in early July of 2005, I traveled down the southwest Colorado to concentrate on a few ghost towns.

Having visited and photographed 2 previous ghost towns at the beginning of this trip (Animas Forks, Carson), I was ready to move on to my next objective, the Old 100. If you know where to look, you can see the Old 100 perched 2000 feet above the valley floor on Galena Mtn.

To get there, you have to get ahold of some hand scribbled directions from the guys who run the Old 100 Gold Mine Tour down below. Check in the retail shop first.

From there, using some common sense, orienteering, bushwacking, and determination you should be able to enjoy some fresh air, great views and new a new appreciation for just how tough these miners were. All told, it took me about 3 hours from the time I left my truck to reach the boarding house.

Along the way there are numerous caves that were created by miners as they explored the potential mining opportunities as evidenced by veins of quartz.

The trail "ends" at a height above the Old 100. The last section involves descending maybe a few hundred feet of scree and talus. The photo above, titled: "Approaching the Old 100" was taken on the final descent.

In my next blog I will continue to discuss my night and experience at the Old 100.

JF