Lomax Mine

The entrance to the Lomax Mine historical area near Breckenridge

The Lomax Mine is a series of historic buildings near Breckenridge from a Gold placer hydraulic mine circa 1860.  Gold being a heavy metal tends to sink in water, so a placer mine ran water over gold bearing rocks and the gold would sink to the bottom of long sluices. A hydraulic mine is one that used large water canons to blast away the surrounding hillsides and run it through the sluices.

You can wander around the buildings or pay $10 for a tour that includes a history lesson. Iowa Hill south of town has a more extensive exhibit of this type of mining but also involves a hike. This exhibit is suitable for aged parents or small children.  

Old mining building

Plow

Indian Paintbrush near picnic tables at the back of the property

Looking back at the parking area 

Sluice Box

Hydraulic Cannon 

Close-up of the log construction

Broader view of the area

The Lomax Mine is located at 301 Ski Hill Road on the way to the Peak 9 ski lift area. From the Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed north (toward Frisco) on Main Street one block to the stop light at Ski Hill Road/Lincoln Ave. Turn west (toward the mountains) onto Ski Hill Road. Proceed past the stoplight at Park Ave. and drive about 1/4 mile uphill to a Lomax Mine sign on the left and a driveway into the mine parking lot. Turn left into the parking lot.