Tour and Museum
More than 100 years old, the Hard Tack Mine was originally intended to be an underground transport tunnel. It's purpose was to move ore production for the Hidden Treasure Mining Company - more than a quarter mile up the mountain. The Hidden Treasure and Hard Tack Mines supported a small, bustling community from the 1890's until 1930. The mines in this area produced more than a million and a half dollars in silver ore. The present location had a mill, mine offices, bank, boarding houses, and commissary. One mile up the road at the Ute-Ulay Lake City Mines was a one room schoolhouse for the miner's children. The 1930's saw a decline in metal ore production, particularly silver, and the mines and surrounding community died out. Another part of the Hinsdale County Galena Mining District was gone.
Today, the Hard Tack Mine is owned and operated by Lake City residents George and Beth Hurd with their daughter Buffy and her family. A one time hard rock miner himself, George has a wealth of mining and mineral expertise and his knowledge of local mining history is unmatched.
Journey deep inside a real mine tunnel. Learn how miners really lived. Experience Lake City days gone by.
Those taking the 40 minute tour are treated to a walk in a 100 year old mine with unique lighted displays depicting how workers dug and blasted through rock using only hand tools and dynamite.
Hard Tack Mine Tours and Museum was born out of a desire to bring the history of mining to life.
About the Tour
The Hard Tack Mine is handicap accessible and state inspected.
Our yearly season typically lasts from June to September. Please check our facebook page for more details or to inquire about a specific date. You may also reach us at (970) 944-2506.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 10 am - 5 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 am - 5 pm |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 10 am - 5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am - 1 pm |
Hard Tack Mine Tours and Museum strives to bring Lake City's unique history of mining to life. Join us for underground mine tours, exhibits packed with mining machinery and a fantastic underground gift shop brimming with treasures. Deep inside the tunnel, an underground rock gallery is home to the area’s largest rock and mineral collection.
It's a cool 45 degrees inside, so bring a jacket. Admission is $13 for adults, $9 for children.
How to Find Us
Hard Tack Mine is located on the Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway, near the Hidden Treasure mill site and the ghost town of Treasure City. From Lake City, take County Road 20 (Henson Creek) towards Engineer Pass for 2.5 miles and you will see Hard Tack Mine on the right side of the road.
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