Aug. 11 - Argo Mine & Mill

This day of our trip was the only day we planned on spending some money. We've driven through Idaho Springs many times and we always see the ARGO Mine & Mill, and we always mention that one day we should go there for a "field trip". Our neighbor mentioned to us that it was worth going and that the kids might enjoy panning for gold.

On the map, Idaho Springs is almost directly north of Bailey but there is no direct route. So we had two choices. 1) More miles and less time, or 2) Less miles, and more time. We went with the less time choice.

When we arrived at ARGO, the tour was going to start in about 15 minutes, so I locked the kids behind bars to keep them out of trouble! ;oD In the tour, it was just our family and mom with her two young children.

The "tour" starts with the guide talking to us about the different ores, and then also sharing about the ARGO mill, what it did, and how it closed. The kids got a little disinterested but Jeff and I thought it was very interesting.



A gold nugget worth $1,000-$2,000

Gold in some form of rock.

Different rocks and ores, the middle one is where they most commonly found the veins of gold.

Can't remember what these were exactly.

A vein of silver.

Petrified dino poop.

The tour guide demonstrating how they drilled holes in the rock so they could "blow" things up.


We then took a "bus" ride up to the top, on a narrow road with a very steep drop. The road and building are built on rock that were dropped out when digging out the ARGO tunnel.

At the top, was the Double Eagle Mine. It had nothing to do with the ARGO Mill but it was in the just right spot, so ARGO Mill now owns it and shows it. It was an actual working mine that some guys just quit working.

At the end of the mine, there were some actual gold veins.

The Argo Tunnel went from Carson City to Idaho Springs. It was around 4 miles long. It was what all the mines between the two cities used to send there findings to the Argo Mill. I believe in the 1940's, there was an accident that flooded the tunnel and made things collapse. That was the end of the Argo Mill. There is still water that comes out of that tunnel.

We then got to take a self guided tour through the mill. Jeff and I found it very interesting and I think the kids did to, but they just wanted to move fast.

At the end, we got to pan for gold and gems.

Kaylie did more playing in the mud.

The kids left with their own vial of gold flakes and some gem stones.

We ended our time in Idaho Springs with some yummy Colorado Style Pizza.

When we arrived back to the cabin area, the kids had all had a nap in the van and Jeff wanted to explore some of the roads in the area to see where they lead. We came to this trail head that had a beautiful, shallow stream that was perfect for the kids to enjoy. Here are some photo's that ended our day.

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