Denver Mining Club hosted a pictorial essay by Dr. Daniel Harrison, “Photo Tour of Colorado Mining History – When Mining Was King of the Mountain.” After all the technical talks that have recently been presented at the meetings, (uranium metallurgy, in-situ uranium mining, Henderson / Climax Mine), it was nice to view and appreciate the beautiful imagery of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain High in many familiar settings — but with the additional benefit of historical mining.
I used to write for Mountain Gazette. They published my stories for seven years. Last Christmas, the new publisher of MG published a full-page ad with a vehemently strong anti-mining message. As a result, MG and MM diverged paths. Fortunately, Jack Caldwell and Michael McCrae, (InfoMine staff) helped me create a blog for a new outlet.
However, the task of both living and recreating in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains AND working in the mining industry in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains is often so controversial to the mainstream of backpacking, river kayaking, telemark skiing, fly fishing non-miners, that I avoid writing on the topic of mining. This issue has been cropping up to the point I can’t avoid it any longer. I too backpack, hike, kayak, telemark ski, snowshoe, mountain bike, fly fish and live in the mountains. However, I love mining. That said, Dan Harrison’s photo essay reminded me of an article in Mountain Gazette by Brendan Leonard that mentions legend Colorado miner, Maury Reiber and other mining men on the topic of public access. The article brings some points of contention to the surface but not in an acrid tone of voice. What is missing from the article is the historic context of the district and why Maury bought the Present Help silver mine at the top of 14,286-foot Mount Lincoln in the first place.
A historic mining district is not only a dangerous place for unaware adventurers – but the artifacts are also in danger of being pilfered or damaged. Dan Harrison’s photo essay captures many buildings, head-frames, boilers, hoist-pulleys that no longer exist – have collapsed or were removed. One of the most significant aspects of the photo tour was the beauty of seeing these artifacts in place and realizing the elevation is over 10,000 feet above sea level in some cases above 12,000 feet. Historic mine camps emanate the fascinating spirit of pioneering people. They didn’t have Patagonia Capilene-4 thermo-insulate underwear, no NorthFace fleece, not even a thermally dynamic coffee mug. In dire circumstances, these miners lived and worked under very adverse conditions in clap-board cabins and mills.
Perhaps our Rocky Mountain hikers, standing there with self-preservation gear and the necessary accoutrement for accessing these areas also appreciate the history and are moved in respect for the amazing feats of human endeavor in historic mine workings? Perhaps, a Rocky Mountain backpacker would feel a sincere reverence to sit next to Maury Reiber himself, or his partner, Ben L. Wright, Jr. — aged 85, (both of whom move me), especially as the slides showed historic mines sites that brought murmurs and stirring in the room full of men who have devoted their lives to preserving and possibly utilizing these historic sites again one day should their legs ever carry them one more time up the mountain.
In any case, it is extremely dangerous to hike in a historic mining district. That said, I bet any of these mining men (including Maury) would be delighted to show their properties or share their heritage with those who sincerely appreciate the mining aspect of the district. Heads-up — if you venture to share an anti-mining point of view with one of these seasoned professionals, you will likely be educated beyond your expectations.
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