With a seemingly endless stream of adventure available in the Pikes Peak region, it's possible for amazing attractions to still get overlooked. One of those attractions that's rarely talked about, but quite awesome is the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour in Cripple Creek, Colorado. The tour drops visitors 1,000 feet underground to get a taste of what the mining culture that built Colorado was like.
UPDATE: The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour is subject to seasonal closures. Check the status of the mine tour operations prior to planning your visit. Find that information here.
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee.
On a hill above Cripple Creek, the Mollie Kathleen mine was started in 1891 on a claim staked by Mollie Kathleen Gortner. Today, visitors can tour tunnels that were created over many decades of mining.
Aspens and mining ruins surround the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee.
Around 40,000 people visitor the mine annually on the typical year, with tours dropping visitors 1,000 feet into the mountainside via an old mining elevator (be warned – it's a tight fit). Once inside, visitors spend roughly an hour on a guided walking tour packed full of information about the mining process and the history of the area.
Visitors are dropped down into the mine via an old mining elevator. Be warned – it's a tight fit. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee.
From seeing how old mining equipment worked to learning how to identify valuable veins of gold in the rock, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour provides a unique educational experience sure to long be remembered.
A few old buildings can be explored above ground and don't forget to visit the gift shop – there's actually some pretty neat stuff in there. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee.
To help visitors remember their experience, each visitor gets to take a gold ore sample with them.
A free sample of gold ore is given to each visitor.
A great way to experience Colorado's mining culture, learn more about how you can visit the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine here.
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