Ghost Towns Guest Book
Alta Colorado Townsite - Ghost town
These pictures were taken in September of 2003 at the Alta Colorado ghost town. They show some of the cabins, boardinghouse and outhouse buildings that remain at the Alta Colorado ghost town site. This is a mining camp not far from Telluride. A beautiful lake sits just a short distance up the road.
Gold was discovered here by Jack Mann in 1878.This townsite is located at about 11,800 ft and an aerial tramway was used to move the ore to the mill below. The most interesting feature was the fact that this was the first mine to use AC current. Some famous people, like George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla, helped make it possible.
Photos courtesy of Joan Sinnwell 2003
UPDATE
In September of 2007 I meet up with an individual on top of Hurricane Pass. He lives in Telluride. We discussed the demise of Alta. The land has been purchased by a developer that plans to build a paved road into the area and sell lots in and around Alta Lakes. I can understand why someone would want to live there but it saddens me to see the historic area destroyed. Last time I was there I wandered thru the forest and discovered all types of remnants of this once great area.
A viewer writes - Pictures of Alta lakes are beautiful. Came all the way from upstate New York and stayed at the observatory in late July of 2007 for the wild flower season of pictures and electrical boxes are already in place. I literally cried. Can't believe it's not being fought.
Rocky Mountain Profiles Colorado Ghost Towns and Colorado Photos – Niwot Colorado