Sunnyside opened in 1899 and produced over $50 million dollars. Most of the mine buildings were clustered along the shore of Lake Emma. On Sunday, June 4, 1978, a tunnel that was being excavated about 70 feet under the lake collapsed and completely drained the lake. Thousands of gallons of water and milllions of tons of mud and rocks drained into the American Tunnel before exiting at Gladstone, some 2 miles away and 1,500 feet lower. The Terry Tunnel was also filled. The cleanup took more than two years to complete. Because the disaster occurred on a Sunday, the miners were not working, and fortunately no one was killed. (Backcountry Adventures Colorado)
Water/snow crossing on the road
Charles, Jimmy & Jane start the search for rocks.
We have found some of the best ones here.
Little flowers growing out of the rocks. This rock had a lot of crystals in it.
Former lake:
Sometimes, you just have to hope the road is really going to be there:
Mine openings are everywhere
Thinking about going in . . .
But, it's full of water
Charles tells me, this was split to prevent Lake Emma from ever filling up again.
Signs of some of the old tram:
Ice in the mine opening, but the little purple flowers still bloom!
I think this is my favorite pix for today.
Headed down
You can see more signs of the old tram in just about the center of the picture.
Some of these old buildings are in amazing shape.
Moss growing on the waterfall.
Eureka campground has been pretty empty ever since we have been here,
but things are starting to fill up for the July 4th weekend. It is out of town and VERY dusty.
Jim liked the way these people "circled the wagontrains."
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