Overview

Hype:

The Ironton Townsite, nestled in the Red Mountain Mining District near Ouray, Colorado, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's mining boom. Once a bustling mining town in the late 19th century, Ironton played a pivotal role in supporting nearby mines, with its location providing strategic access to rich ore deposits. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this ghost town, including old structures and abandoned equipment, which sit amidst stunning alpine scenery. The site is a favorite stop along the Million Dollar Highway, inviting visitors to reflect on the legacy of Colorado’s mining heritage.

Time:

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Features:

Ghost Towns
Mining
Forest
Mountains
Road Access is Dirt - Low Clearance
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
No Restrooms
Interpretive Signs
Wildflowers and Vegitation
Wildlife and Birding

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironton,_Colorado
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmug/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5391968

Location

Closest City or Region: Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

Coordinates: 37.933321, -107.680014

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October 17, 2024 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Cooper Dye, Miller Dye,

Story

Thursday looked like it would be the best weather, so we decided to drive up the million dollar highway to Silverton. The drive was super pretty and we stopped and took lots of pictures of the waterfall and all the old mining ruins along the way.

We met up with everyone else at the San Juan county historical museum and the San Juan county historical society mining heritage center. The museum was huge and had tons of awesome stuff inside. We really enjoyed it. We finished up around lunch time.

There weren't a lot of great places to have lunch and it was kind of cold and drizzly so we went over to the railroad park because it looked like they had a pavilion there. We made lunch then did some window shopping along Main Street.

On the drive back to Ouray, our vehicle stopped at the Ironton townsite on the way, where we explored several old buildings.

We also stopped at the Bear Creek Falls overlook and were amazed at the view from the platform.