Alpine Paradise.com The Colorado Adventure dedicated to the enjoyment & exploration of the san juan mnts including telluride, ouray & silverton colorado.

The Lewis Mill.

During WW2 there was a large push to recycle iron for the war effort so most assessable structures were striped of the machinery and siding etc, which hastened the deterioration of most buildings.   What saved the Lewis mill was its remoteness, it is located way up in Bridal Vail Basin, the road was and still is a rough son of a gun, and it just wasn't worth the effort to scrap this old gal out.  Unfortunately the road has a locked gate across it so they expect you to hike up to this mill, you had better be in shape.  I was fortunate enough to get to drive up here on 2 different occasions, some of the most exciting driving of my career, I loved every minute of it.  One of the most unusual features of this mill was the use of these strange, polished   rocks that supposedly came from France, found near the Ball Mill in the Basement.