Ride a mine train deep into Galena Mountain at the Old Hundred

A few miles up Cunningham Gulch from Silverton, past the old Mayflower Mill and the cluster of Howardsville, the road dead-ends at a mine cut straight into the mountainside. This is the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour, and it is one of the more approachable ways to actually go underground in San Juan County.

You climb into an authentic miner’s “man-trip” car behind a vintage electric mine train, and it carries you about a third of a mile into the heart of 13,000-foot Galena Mountain. The tunnels were blasted by hand from solid volcanic rock, and the walls still show colorful minerals and crystals where the light catches them.

Inside, guides who once worked mines like this one fire up the old equipment, including air-powered drills, a slusher, and mucking machines, some dating back to the 1930s. It is loud, and that is the point: you hear how the work really sounded. The underground portion runs roughly 45 to 50 minutes, and the mine stays a cool 48°F year-round, so bring a sweater even in July.

When you come back out, panning for real gold, silver, and copper is free with your ticket, and you keep whatever you find. Tours run late spring into fall and no reservations are needed.

For dates, hours, and directions, check the official Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour site rather than secondhand listings.