Climax Mine *** Private property. Permission required, although not recently granted due to liability concerns. ***

General Info The Climax was the largest underground mine in the world and contains the largest deposit of molybdenite known. It is located at the summit of Fremont Pass to the northeast of Leadville. The mine is currently undergoing reclamation work.

Minerals Click on the image(s) below to see a picture of that mineral from this location. Fluorite - Green, purple and clear colors. May also be found as epimorphs (a quartz coating over fluorite and then the fluorite being dissolved away, leaving the quartz cast). Molybdenite Pyrite - Voynick reports pyrite cubes up to 10 inches. Quartz - Clear quartz crystals. May also be found as epimorphs (a quartz coating over fluorite and then the fluorite being dissolved away, leaving the quartz cast). Rhodochrosite - Deep red color. Sphalerite - Crystals to .5 inch have been found on plates of quartz crystals, and are associated with pyrite or purple fluorite, says Muntyan(b). Field Trip Reports REPORT #1 REPORT #2

The front gate of the Climax Mine. The large open pit is to the right in the background. Searching in the large open pit of the Climax Mine. A very large crane just outside the Glory Hole at the Climax Mine. Looking back towards the main Climax Mine facilities.

References S. Voynick, 1995, Colorado Rockhounding (ISBN 0-87842-292-7) B. Muntyan (b), 1999, "Rocks & Minerals" (Vol. 74, July/August, pgs. 220-235) Please see the reference(s) mentioned above for directions to the site if specific instructions are not given on this page.

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