Carson - Colorado Ghost Town

Carson was one of the most inaccessible mining camps in Colorado. Sitting on top of the Continental Divide at an elevation of almost 12,000 feet, it took the hardiest of the hardy to survive the winters. Had it not been for the severe winters, Carson might well have been the biggest town in all the San Juans. Carson reached its peak during the late 1890s and early 1900s when 400 to 500 miners worked the mountaintop. Good gold and silver was found that sustained the town for several years but eventually the winter months took its toll and the miners left for a warmer climate. Now, the camp with its many mining relics and tumbledown cabins, can be seen via a treacherous four-wheel drive road from the north and a hiking or horse trail from the south. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth. Carson Barn Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson Boarding House Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson Cabin Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson Cabin Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson Cabin Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson Outhouse- July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson Outhouse- July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood	Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood Carson Courtesy Susan Hobbie Carson Courtesy Susan Hobbie Carson Courtesy Susan Hobbie Carson Courtesy Susan Hobbie Carson Ruins Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson Cabin Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson Townsite Courtesy Ron Morse Jr. Carson - July 2001 Todd Underwood

Carson was one of the most inaccessible mining camps in Colorado. Sitting on top of the Continental Divide at an elevation of almost 12,000 feet, it took the hardiest of the hardy to survive the winters. Had it not been for the severe winters, Carson might well have been the biggest town in all the San Juans. Carson reached its peak during the late 1890s and early 1900s when 400 to 500 miners worked the mountaintop. Good gold and silver was found that sustained the town for several years but eventually the winter months took its toll and the miners left for a warmer climate. Now, the camp with its many mining relics and tumbledown cabins, can be seen via a treacherous four-wheel drive road from the north and a hiking or horse trail from the south. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

Carson Barn
Courtesy Ron Morse Jr.