Lilly Belle Mine - Gunnison County, Colorado

Lilly Belle Mine - Site Details

Elevation - 8,280
Vehicle Access - Moderate
Foot access - Easy
GPS coordinates - 38°23.440 107°08.201
Maps used - Colorado Gazetteer, Gunnison Basin Public Lands Map, Microsoft Streets & Trips
Mineral occurrences reported at this mine - Scheelite, Powellite, Thorite, Chalcopyrite
Minerals found by author - Chrysocolla, Goethite, Pyrolusite, Quartz, Feldspar, Psilomelane

Directions

From Gunnison, go West on US Hwy 50 to Co Hwy 149. Cross the Blue Mesa Reservoir and go south on CO Hwy 149 approximately 9 miles to BLM road 3038 (At Ninemile Hill). Travel approximately 5.4 miles on BLM 3038 (follows along side Wolf Creek) to the Lilly Belle Mine clearly seen to your left. Colorado Gazetteer Map Reference - 2006 Edition, Page 68 - B1, use GPS coordinates above

Mineral Collecting

Discovering this mine was one of those nice surprises that keep me going back for more. I was not expecting much since this mine wasn't listed on the current maps I was using. I discovered the mine by noticing the mine symbol on the Gunnison Basin Public Lands map I had picked up at the Curecanti National Recreation Area Visitor Center. I had not been to this particular area before so naturally, I had to do a bit of exploring. The BLM road 3038 is in pretty good shape but there are areas of deep ruts that will high center any low clearance vehicles so I would recommend only taking this road in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The 5.4 mile trip on this road seems much farther than that but do not get discouraged, you cannot miss this mine. If you do happen to drive past it, you will definitely see it once you turn around since it is located to your left around a large hill, but I doubt that you will miss it.. Just stay on the main road and keep looking to your left and you will see it.