Entry No. 95 — the Durango file — filed under: abandoned-mine

Old Man Mine

Located in the rugged San Miguel Canyon near Sawpit, the Old Man Mine is a historic, defunct underground mining site that once produced zinc and gold. Dating back to Colorado's historic mining boom, the site has long since been abandoned and reclaimed by the surrounding wilderness. Today, no prominent above-ground structures remain, leaving only geological traces of its active past.

The move: Take a scenic drive along the San Juan Skyway (Highway 145) near Sawpit to admire the dramatic canyon walls and rugged mountain landscapes where historic prospectors once sought their fortunes.

📍 Before you go The mine is a defunct underground site with no managed public access, and its exact modern property boundaries and physical safety conditions are unverified.

• 📍 Old Man Mine
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Old Man Mine, Colorado 81435, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: westernmininghistory.com · realty.com

last checked: 2026-07-20