Learn about placer mining - from panning to hydraulic mining .....
Pan for gold. Learn how old mining-town chemists assayed miners' samples for gold and silver content. Watch a slide show with pictures of old Breckenridge and many of its past placer operations. See and touch the actual sluices, flumes, "giants", and other equipment used.
Visit a miner's cabin, complete with stove, musical instruments, snowshoes, actual furniture and utensils, pack saddles, pie safe, and children's "thunder box". Experience an actual Assayers Office to learn how fire assays were performed and samples were prepared.
Tours are given at 3 PM, Tuesday through Saturday from Saturday, June 22, through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, and meet at the Lomax Mine (see below for directions). Please be prompt. Tours last one to one and a half hours depending on questions and general visitor interest. Tour cost is $6.00 per adult, $3.00 per child 12 and under, and is free for children 2 and under. Special tours can be arranged by calling (970) 453-9022.
You may buy tickets at the Information Cabin (309 North Main Street), at the Activity Center (137 South Main Street) in Blue River Plaza, or at the mine site before the tour.
Directions: Turn west (toward the mountains) onto Ski Hill Road at the
intersection of Main Street and Ski Hill Road/Lincoln Avenue in the center of
Breckenridge. Proceed past the stoplight at Park Avenue and drive about 1/4
mile uphill until you see the Lomax Mine sign on your left (at 301 Ski Hill Road) and a driveway into
the mine parking lot. Turn left into the parking lot.
Allow about 10 minutes driving time from the center of Breckenridge.