The highway from Silverton/Ouray is a very scenic and beautiful highway called The Million Dollar Highway.

Once you get to the point in Ridgway, follow my map above to the Yankee Girl Mine.  You will need to be a Trek Planner Insider Member to gain access to the map and GPS coordinate.

The Yankee Girl Mine is part of the Red Mountain Mining District.  There are mines all over the place here and many of them still have buildings and other mining relics to behold.

Here is some information you can read from one of the highway pull-out areas across the valley:

“In 1882, prospector John Robinson discovered a massive “pipe” of silver ore and staked the Yankee Girl claim.  He developed an exploratory shaft and found that the nearly vertical ore body contained an enormously valuable vein of silver.

Unlike most local mines, the Yankee Girl shaft went nearly straight down – 1200 vertical feet.  Eventually twelve levels were developed below ground.  In places, silver ore assayed as high as $10,000 per ton making the Yankee Girl one of the richest concentrations of silver ore in the United States.  Ore from the mine was of such a high grade that it bypassed the concentration mill and went directly to the smelter for processing.

As the miners descending into lower and lower levels, mechanic “bailers” were installed to removed water from the mine.   Yet even with new technology a decrease in the value of silver forced the Yankee Girl to close in 1898.  During its sixteen years of operation it produced nearly twelve million dollars in ore.  The value of the ore in today’s market would be worth over one hundred million dollars.”

The main thing to see at this mine is of course the massive and uniquely shaped head frame.  There are a few other buildings near the head frame but it’s the main focal point at this mine.  The Yankee Girl head frame is in great condition but it is private property so please show respect and just take pictures and enjoy it without climbing on all the stuff.  The current owners of the mine and head frame allow respectful visitors.

The head frame is on top of a 1,200 ft mine shaft!  Can you imagine if the shaft wasn’t closed and you explored inside and slipped and accidentally fell down 1,200 ft!  Back in the day, this opening wouldn’t have been covered like it is now! Safety first of course! 🙂

Luckily, the shaft is gated but you can still see the original equipment and some machinery used to bring ore to the surface.

There is an information plaque on the front of the head frame saying this:

“The Yankee Girl Mine is now owned by Mark and Mary Young of Montrose, CO.  They have granted a permanent conservation easement to the Trust for Land Restoration, Ridgway, CO in order to assure that this historic structure will be saved for future generations to enjoy.

Remember that mine head frames are dangerous and fragile structures.  Please be careful as you look around and do not do anything to detract from the historic nature of the Yankee Girl Mine.  Please keep the area clean of trash and do not remove anything from the site.”

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Young for allowing us to view this amazing structure up close!

Not only are the mining relics really cool to see but the area surrounding the Yankee Girl Mine is absolutely gorgeous!  Red Mountain to the east has lots of reds and oranges and the mountains to the west are sharp and jagged.