P a g e 5 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r miners of the upper workings. Structures included multiple houses, a large corral, black smith shop, assay shops, cook house, carpenter shop, mine hoist house, ore sorting building, bunk houses for the miners and a large boarding house. Heavy snows proved difficult for moving ore during the winter months and production would often suffer. As a result, snow sheds were built over the rail lines emerging from the upper mines to keep the tracks clear. As of a few summers ago the timbers of the snow sheds were still standing along with ruins of most of the structures mentioned. Courtesy of https://northwestrving.com Upper Camp Snow Shed Getting There: At N45° 28.586 W113° 05.178 turn east off of FS 73 (Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway) onto Comet Ridge Road. Continue east to the first signed intersection at N45° 28.466 W113° 04.326 which will be signed for the upper mine. Continue east from the intersection staying on the most well traveled road while ignoring smaller side roads until you reach upper camp at N45° 29.334 W113° 02.818 The road is suitable for most two wheel drive passenger vehicles with average ground clearance. Where to camp: Price Creek Campground is conveniently located just off Comet Ridge Road which is the jumping off point for exploring upper camp. The road to and within the campground is paved along with the sites. The long spacious sites complete with picnic tables and fire rings will accommodate the largest of RVs. Many of the sites are pull throughs providing easy access. The latest posted rate for the campground is $8 per night. You will find the campground at: N45°28.773 W113° 04.983 Boondockers will find a nice spot along the south side of Comet Ridge Road just past the turn off to the campground at: N45° 28.617 W113° 04.983 More to explore: After you have explored upper camp you will want to take a short detour to the historical Park Mine located at: N45° 29.064 W113° 02.995 The Park Mine is located just 1/3 (air) mile from the upper camp and the Elkhorn Mine and was believed to have tapped the same mineralized faults. While the neighboring Elkhorn Mine was primarily a silver mine, samples taken by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1995 revealed 1.05 to 5.8 ounces of gold per ton at the Park Mine. Historic records show the mine produced millions of dollars in gold and silver while it was active. It is quite possible that the Park Mine connects to the Elkhorn Mine somewhere deep underground. Remains at the site include the mines and several cabins one which is fully intact and nearly inhabitable. After you have explored the Park Mine head east about 100 yards to some very photogenic ruins on the edge of a beautiful mountain meadow at: N45° 29.032 W113° 02.934 This could be another part of the Park Mine or a completely different operation. It is unknown as the historic records are unclear. The road
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