Waypoints-Copper Globe Mine

COPPER GLOBE MINE.

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Located in the San Rafael region just south of the I-70, this very unique deserted mine is located on the Devils Canyon & Copper Globe mine trail, which is a connector to the Sulphur Canyon overlook and the Devils Canyon Trails. These create a nice loop trail from the Interstate back to the Interstate.

The Copper Globe Mining area is a great opportunity for visitors to explore this very historic mine that was in operation from the 1900 – 1905. The Copper Globe mine is distinct from the mining in the surrounding area because it was a copper mine, rather than Uranium, which dominated the mining especially later in the Cold war era.

No copper was actually successfully smelted due to the low quality of the ore. Features at the site include mining cabins, mine tunnels, a water cistern and most interesting of all a 75’ long pile of lumber, it was believed that the miners left the Globe mine so quickly that the pile of firewood was never used fully for its purpose to fire the smelter.

You can enjoy exploring the whole site on lots of interesting trails which wind through the area.

The site is in a remote area, remember to bring water and supplies for your time at the site, and while the large pile of lumber is tempting, do not collect any of the wood for any reason as well as campfires due to the historical importance of the of this feature of the site.

Published by Colin Smith