The Recycling of the Mayflower Mines Tram into a Zip Line, Silverton, Colorado.
Looks like Silverton has a new exciting Zip Line in its near future
The Mayflower Tram Line near Silverton Colorado!
I date back far enough that I can remember the days when the Mayflower Mill was in use by the Standards Metal Mine/Sunny Side Mine, who trucked their ore from the mine entrance up Cement Gulch to the mill above Silverton in the Animas River Valley. But the tram way to the Mayflower Mine, which is located high up Arastra Gulch, has not been used in many a moon, but having rare metal tram towers has preserved this engineering work of art perfectly. This mile long stretch of cables is looking to become a world class zip line this summer, providing a significant new tourist attraction, says the Silverton Standard.
Basically, we are trying to keep with the history of the tram line, says Winters
Yet, if approved, the zip line will include the longest span in Colorado – 2,058 feet – as well as being one of the highest and fastest of its kind. Riders will at times be suspended up to 100 feet from the ground as they fly along at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. “In the old days, people would ride in the ore buckets up to the mine,” Winters said.Now, instead of riding up, they’ll be zipping down, dangling from a harness rather than standing in a bucket.
In the old days, miners would ride in ore buckets from the Mayflower Mill near Silverton to their work high above in Arastra Gulch. Now, if a local zip line developer has his way, the historic tram line infrastructure will be put to use for a new brand of adventure. (Photo courtesy of the San Juan County Historical Society)
Read more: Watch Newspapers – Zip Into History in Silverton This Summer
