by Michele Kadison

Once touted as the best tour in the United States by the Reader’s Digest, the Molly Kathleen Gold Mine Tour will provide you with an in-depth idea of how life was lived during the Colorado gold rush 100 years ago. Overlooking the famed gold and silver mining town of Cripple Creek, the location could not be any more authentic.

Both Cripple Creek and neighboring Victor held some of the richest gold mines in the world, with the discovery beginning in 1981. Over eighteen million ounces of gold was mined within the first ten years of the “Pikes Peak or Bust” invasion, which amounts to more than that found in the both the Alaskan and Californian gold rushes.

The Molly Kathleen mine gets its name from its proprietress, who was on a prospecting expedition with her husband and son. As she sat on a rock, resting from the day’s exploration, she noticed quartz outcroppings mixed with pure gold in the rocks around her. The quartz indicated that there was a possibly very rich gold vein just underground. The shrewd Molly quietly walked to town to stake her claim on the land – the first woman in history to do so – and the rest is history.

As you approach the Molly Kathleen, you will see only some smallish buildings along with a wooden tower. Once you begin your tour, the fascination begins underground where you will enjoy the only ‘vertical shaft’ gold mine tour in the world. The tour starts at the “mine header,” which is the wooden tower you initially approached. Into one of two cages you go, to be suspended on a metal cable and winch system just like the miners of old. Down you descend, over 1,000 feet underground to the mining tunnels where you are guided by authentic miners who will take you through some of the interconnected tunnels that make up this vast mine. Over 2,000 miles of tunnels are marked by rock tailings and rubble, indicating the enormous potency of this mine. There are over 100 underground routes that reach other mining areas located under the town of Victor, several miles from the Molly Kathleen.

The tour will additionally take you along the tracks designed for rail cars, weaving their way through narrow passages and to the large rooms where you will see various exhibits on how gold ore was mined. You can get a real feel for the evolution of mining from the use of the labor-intensive pick axe to the more modern drills and the eventual blasting techniques used later on.

Each tunnel in the mine was in service to the many veins of gold ore. Drilling through the bedrock, some veins that were deemed defunct have recently been found to yield yet more ore and are mined in winter when the tours stop.

As the tour ends, you will ride a railcar and then see the displays that speak of the self-made millionaires who were some of the richest in the world. You will leave the tour with a sample of gold ore to take home, a token of wealth from the earth’s core.

Once back above ground, visit the outdoor display of historic mining equipment. At the gift shop you can buy some mineral and crystal samples along with other souvenirs.

Directions: From I-25 in Colorado Springs, take US-24 (exit 141) west 22 miles to Divide, then turn left (south) on Colorado Highway 67 for 17 miles.
Admissions: $15 adults, $7 children
Season: April through October

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