Gunnison County Colorado

Gunnison County is on the west of the Continental Divide. Gunnison County produced 130,000 gold ounces, mostly from lode mines, but with unrecorded placer gold production between 1861 and 1880. The main area of interest is in North part of county, all area gulches, have placers. I dredge in Washington Gulch many years ago and it was productive. This was also the site of first gold discovery. Many placer workings were not recorded.

ALMONT

Almont is on Route 306 and this is where the Taylor River and Gunnison River meet. There used to be a nice restaurant that had a huge polar bar from Siberia stuffed in the restaurant. I always stopped there to eat. Great place that Three Rivers resort. If you go northeast from Almont 7 miles, in Spring Canyon, several lead - silver mines that had a by-product of gold. Don't forget to bring your fishing pole, this is the best fishing I have ever had in this area.

CRESTED BUTTE

Northwest 10 miles and a few miles North of Route 135, the area silver mines had a by-product gold. If you go North 22 miles at Elk Mountain, elevation 9,500 feet, to the ghost town of Gothic, you will find numerous area copper mines that had a by product gold, silver. Don't forget the tip I give you about Washington Gulch either. I don't share many tips like that. Heh heh!

GUNNISON

East of Gunnison 13 miles, at Gold Brick, 1-4 miles northeast of Pitkin, on fair roads, elevation 9,000-13,000 feet, numerous relatively rich mines concentrated just East of Gold Creek in an area 4 mile long by 1 mile wide.

PARLIN

Take Route 162 to the Quartz Creek district, also under Pitkin County, area mines produced lode gold. South 3-4 miles, at Cochetopa (Green Mt., Gold Basin), extending from Cochetopa Creek 2-4 miles West area mines produced free-milling gold.

PITKIN

North and Northeast 1-4 miles from Pitkin, in Southeast part of county, to include Box Canyon, the Gold Brick - The Quartz Creek district had a tot. production, 1879-1959, of 80,000 gold ounces, includes Ohio City, founded 1881 (by the way, I found a $5 gold piece here with a detector). Northeast 1-4 miles, near road, to Tincup, in South end of extensively mineralized zone, many old mines, on dumps-gold showings. South 6 miles, near U.S. 50 about 25 miles East of Gunnison, in Box Canyon, the old Independence and Camp Bird mines are located 3-4 mi. North of Waunito Hot Springs Creek via steep roads. The produced free milling gold.

POWDERHORN

In the Cebolla district, Powderhorn had many mines along Cebolla Creek that produced lode gold. Cebollo Creek contains placer gold.

SARGENTS

North of Sargents 10 miles, at Tomichi (Whitepine), a ghost town, area mines produced lode and by-product gold.

TINCUP

Tincup used to be my old stomping grounds. I used to fish a lot at Taylor Reservoir and Mirror Lake. Great place to Metal Detect using a Tesoro Lobo Super Traq. This is located 15 mi. North of Pitkin in North part of county 25 miles Northeast of Gunnison via Route 162, at head of Willow Creek on extreme southeast flank of Taylor Reservoir Park and on opposite side of 12,000-feet. Cumberland Pass from Pitkin, the Tincup district had a total production of about 16,400 ounces, of gold, mostly prior to 1932. Along Tincup Gulch, many placers can be found. At headwaters of Willow Creek you can find many area mines that was the source of the placer gold. Also I don't remember the name of the stream, but there is a stream that flows into Taylor Reservoir, that If you follow it and go to the headwaters, by hiking, I found some nice nuggets with a sluice box. Sorry I don't remember, but that was in 1980 and my memory is fading.