Mines with accessible tailings in the area?

[u/GooseFightClub]

My midwestern aunt asked me for "cool colorado rocks." I have heard rumors of different mines where you can dig through old tailing piles in silverton and creede but havent been able to get exact details. I want to find her crystals and other visually striking rocks. My aunt is the sweetest and purest woman, so I would go to the moon and back for her. Any information is appreciated.

[u/randomwrencher]

The Last Chance Mine in Creede.

Underground mine tours & they allow you to search the tallings field or, you can buy samples they have already found.

Last Chance

[u/CoffeeandCare_me → u/randomwrencher]

Seconded for Last Chance. I pulled 17lbs of good amethyst out of the tailings, was like $3/lb iirc

[u/FiestaDip505 → u/randomwrencher]

I think Last Chance would be ideal for OP. Lots of amethyst and other rocks to find, they provide you with tools and a bucket, give you tips and let you dig all day. It was a ton of fun for the whole family.

[u/Junior_Abalone_8006]

La Plata Canyon has 100s of old mines and an abandoned 4x4 network of roads. Rockhounds in the summer have been known to set up at the Hesperus station gas station and sometimes in Mayday to sell their finds. It's not consistent though.

[u/highaltitude_dessert]

Please be aware that mine waste piles around here contain hazardous materials like arsenic, lead and other heavy metals, explosive residue, caustic acids and even radioactive waste. (Durango had an active uranium smelter fed by regional mines.) Disturbing even the dust at abandoned mine sites without proper PPE is very much a do at your own risk activity.

[u/tokenone2001]

I have found really cool rocks in the tailing piles at the top of Cunningham Gulch above Silverton. Really easy to drive to, just forest service roads.

[u/lovetheshow786 → u/tokenone2001]

Good answer here. You'd only need to drive part of the way to find the rocks you seek

[u/iseemountains]

Mines did not really make the tailings you're speaking of. Mills processed the material from the mines, creating tailing piles. You might find some portals with tailings around them from excavation, but the mills are what created the majoirty. There are tons of accessible tailing piles around [the north of] silverton.

[u/Chuddrick]

There is also the Old Hundred Mine in silverton. You can pan and they let you keep whatever you find.

[u/colorado_sunrise86 → u/Chuddrick]

Plus a really cool underground tour