Hike to Roosevelt Mine

Gunnison KOA
Gunnison, CO
July 22, 2016

While meandering down Main Street in Pitkin (our previous post) , Joe and I learned about Roosevelt Mine...an old mine near by.  I could not find any info on how the mine got it's name but did read a little about the history of the Pitkin Hotel.  

The Pitkin Hotel was built in 1904 when Teddy Roosevelt was president.  It is "believed" that Teddy stayed there during one of his hunting trips.  

None of the 3 original owners of the mine were named Roosevelt.



Main Street (or County Road 76) is the only way in and out of Pitkin.  Heading in the direction of Gunnison, the trail head and parking is at mile marker 12.  A small sign and path lead to a sturdy bridge that crosses the Quartz Creek. 








From here the narrow path turns left and follows the creek.  

 It's always fun following a creek.  The path meandered through thick foliage and in some places was inches away from the creek.  

Twinberry is common along streams and in moist soil here.  The long yellow, bell-shaped flowers provide lots of nectar attracting hummingbirds.  The ripe pairs of plump dark purple berries provide food for other birds.  

Twinberry is in the honeysuckle family.

Following the creek, we reached the formed concrete Power Generation Plant that supplied electricity to the mine.  

 A wooden flume carried the water to the generation plant. The steel bands that held the wooden flume together can be seen beside the trail above the building.

The trail crosses behind the old flume bridge, and ascends a steep, short slope before reaching a graded mine road/trail where we turned right.  

 A few switchbacks later, we reached the Roosevelt Mine Tunnel and the remaining walls of the old mine buildings. 

The entrance features extensive craftsmanship.   

Roosevelt Mine opened in 1907 with "a great deal of promise".  From all I read, it was successful with the primary ores being gold, silver and some copper.  Veins ran deep and wide.       

 According to info, it closed in 1919 amid controversy with the owners...a case of too much money and too much greed. 

 It turned out to be another great day of exploring and enjoying life.  

 Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !