1. AirBnB, Creede and the Last Chance Mine Tour

1. AirBnB, Creede and the Last Chance Mine Tour

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Introduction

Since we had been to Creede, CO before in 2018, and we liked the area so much, we decided to go again and do something we had not done before, take the Last Chance Mine tour. The mine is located in the mountains outside of Creede. It was established in 1891 by Ralph Granger but went idle when the price of silver dropped too low.

Jack Morris purchased the Last Chance Mine in 1998 from the Granger family. They had owned the mine since it was founded in 1891. When he got the chance to see the mine he knew it should be saved for future generations to be able to see and learn from it. It is one of the best mineral and rock collecting mines he has ever seen. He put a lot of work and years into the preservation of the Last Chance Mine, bringing it back to its original condition.

In addition to silver, the mine also produces a wide variety of minerals and gemstones, such as: sulpher, turquoise, amethyst, zinc, copper, pyrite, black manganese, etc. One unique gemstone is sowbelly agate, ONLY found in all the world in the Creede mining district.

It is now, not only once again, a (privately) working mine, but a mine history preservation site with a museum, many displays of mine paraphernalia, rocks, gemstones and offering guided tours.

Also, be sure to view the >>> 3 VIDEOS <<<

Cathy & Joe R.

Click to enlarge
Map from Creede to Last Chance Mine

Map Creede to Last Chance Mine - Topographic

Click to enlarge
Map from Creede to Last Chance Mine - Topographic

Click on an image to start a Slide Show with that image.

#1 - Sept. 9, 2024 - This is the AirBnB on the lower level. The owners live on the upper level. Main St. and the town of Creede are just a couple of blocks to the right. That is a grocery store to the right of the stop sign. The southern entrance to the Bachelor Loop Scenic Drive and the Creede Underground Mining Museum, Firehouse and Community Center all carved into the rock is straight ahead between the two cliffsides.

#2 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The AirBnB is the left side of the lower level. The bedroom is constructed from the relocated family log cabin and the rest of the unit is built around it. That is our rented Tesla Model Y in front.

#3 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The bedroom on the left is constructed from the relocated family log cabin and the rest of the unit is built around it.

#4 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The AirBnB looking in from the front door with the log cabin bedroom on the right

#5 - Sept. 9, 2024 - One example of the lovely small personal touches by the hosts on the side of the fridge - a drawing of their dog, Arctos and a hand made welcome made of ball magnets.

#6 - Sept. 9, 2024 - Another interesting and unique touch in the bathroom.

#7 - Sept. 9, 2024 - An unexpected display of images in the bathroom that I only noticed when in the shower..

#8 - Sept. 9, 2024 - Another caring touch in the bathroom - a hand carved heart-shaped stone in the hand laid flagstone floor..

#9 - Sept. 9, 2024 - Creede, Colorado looking North up Main St.

#10 - Sept. 9, 2024 - Creede, Colorado looking North up Main St.

#11 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The Creede Hotel and Restaurant where we had dinner on our second night after the Last Chance Mine tour.

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#13 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The Creede Hotel and Restaurant where we had dinner on our second night after the Last Chance Mine tour. Cathy is checking out the menu.

#14 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The Creede Hotel and Restaurant garden patio.

#15 - Sept. 9, 2024 - Looking North on Loma St., the Creede Historical Society log cabin on the right.

#16 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The Creede Historical Society Research Library and Photo Archives. Unfortunately it was closed that day.

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#18 - Sept. 9, 2024 - The old Creed D&RGWRR (Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad) Station located benind the Creede Historical Society Research Library and Photo Archives.

#19 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Looking down from the Bachelor Loop Rd. to the town of Creede.

#20 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Looking down from the Bachelor Loop Rd. to the town of Creede.

#21 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Just off the Bachelor Loop Rd., we start up the Last Chance Mine Rd.

#22 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The Last Chance Mine Rd.

#23 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view from the Last Chance Mine Rd.

#24 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view looking down from the Last Chance Mine Rd.

#25 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view from the Last Chance Mine Rd. The mine is just up ahead on the right.

#26 - Sept. 10, 2024 - We arrive at the Last Chance Mine.

#27 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A panoramic view of the Last Chance Mine. Cathy is in the group on the left listening to our guide, River, as we start our 45 minute tour. The mine entrance is on the right behind the owner, Jack Morris, walking towards us.

#28 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A display of rocks, minerals and gem stones for sale at the Last Chance Mine. The mine entrance is to the right behind the hard hats

#29 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Cathy standing in front of he mine entrance before our tour.

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#32 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The mine entrance.

#33 - Sept. 10, 2024 - One of the buildings as we look out from the mine entrance. Notice the outhouse on the left. We shall see that later after the tour

#34 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A carved log statue of Jack Morris, the mine owner.

#35 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view looking down from the mine level.

#36 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view looking down from the mine level.

#37 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view from the mine level.

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#39 - Sept. 10, 2024 - This is indeed a privately working mine! That is the owner, Jack Morris, driving.

#40 - Sept. 10, 2024 - That is the owner, Jack Morris, driving.

#41 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Cathy and me at the mine entrance about to take our 45 minute tour. Come on along ---

#42 - Sept. 10, 2024 - This is our first tunnel. The mine is at least 13 levels of tunnels stretching many miles in all directions under the mountain.

#43 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Cathy about to enter our first tunnel with the tour group

#44 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Cathy looking down our first tunnel with the tour group

#45 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, explains details about the mine.

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#49 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, pointing out veins of sulpher.

#50 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, showing us a stope - where the miners dig upward in a vein and wedge logs across to climb up on and secure the walls.

#51 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, the vein in the stope.

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#53 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, showing us another stope.

#54 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Looking up into the stope.

#55 - Sept. 10, 2024 - One of the safe rooms where the miners can go in the event of an emergency.

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#57 - Sept. 10, 2024 - One of the many mannequins placed throughout the mine by Jack Morris, the owner, for the tours to enjoy.

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#61 - Sept. 10, 2024 - a jail cell that was actually to confine unruly miners in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

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#64 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, explaining how they do core samples and blasting in the mine. Notice the large turquoise on the lower left.

#65 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, explaining how they do core samples and blasting in the mine.

#66 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, explaining how they do core samples and blasting in the mine.

#67 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Our guide, River, showing Cathy an actual core sample.

#68 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A large turquoise stone in the wall.

#69 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A large turquoise stone in the wall.

#70 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A turquoise stone that River found in the mine.

#71 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A large display of rocks, minerals and gemstones for sale. Cathy in the distance.

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#74 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A scenic view lookng down from the mine level with the building housing the museum on the lower level to the right.

#75 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A scenic view lookng down from the mine level with the building housing the museum on the lower level to the right.

#76 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A scenic view lookng down from the mine level with the building housing the museum on the lower level to the right.

#77 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The very steep iron stairs leading down to the museum on the lower level. Come with me as I bravely climb down and traverse the rickety wooden balcony around to the back of the building to the museum entrance.

#78 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The iron stairs lead down to this rickety wooden balcony around to the back of the building to the museum entrance.

#79 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view looking up from the rickety wooden balcony around the building leading to the museum entrance.

#80 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view from the rickety wooden balcony around the building leading to the museum entrance.

#81 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view down from the rickety wooden balcony around the building leading to the museum entrance.

#82 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view down from the rickety wooden balcony around the building leading to the museum entrance.

#83 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view down from the museum.

#84 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A view looking down from the museum.

#85 - Sept. 10, 2024 - As I enter the museum looking to the left.

#86 - Sept. 10, 2024 - As I enter the museum looking straight ahead.

#87 - Sept. 10, 2024 - As I enter the museum looking to the right.

#88 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Original pairs of worn out Levi jeans, some found in the walls of this building used as insulation in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

#89 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Looking out one of the windows of the museum. The large translucent sliced stone on the left is an amethysit crystal plate.

#90 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A closeup of the translucent large sliced amethyist crystal plate.

#91 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The doorway leading to the scenic viewing balcony in the museum.

#92 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The doorway leading to the scenic viewing balcony in the museum.

#93 - Sept. 10, 2024 - The doorway leading to the scenic viewing balcony in the museum.

#94 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A display of kerosene lamps in the museum.

#95 - Sept. 10, 2024 - A display of kerosene lamps and a view through a window in the museum.

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#97 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Remember the outhouse I pointed out earlier? This is a view from the side. Using this one is not for the faint of heart!

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#99 - Sept. 10, 2024 - Remember the outhouse I pointed out earlier? This is a view from the side. Using this one is not for the faint of heart! But, surprisingly, it DOES get used!

#100 - Sept. 10, 2024 - This is the pendant I bought for Cathy as an additional present to celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. It was handmade by the mine owner, Jack Morris, from sowbelly agate which in all the world, is ONLY found in the Creede mining district.

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