The “Fair U” Uranium Prospect - Steamboat Springs, CO - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

This sign is located at the entrance to an early 1950s uranium mine several miles east of Steamboat Springs. You cannot enter the mine but according to the sign, the mine shaft extends about 800 ft. into the hillside following two veins of uranium ore. After it was determined that the claim was not economically feasible, the mine was abandoned.

The entrance to the mine is sealed off with an unusual-looking gate. It’s designed to allow bats to freely enter and exit the mine while preventing people from getting through. Apparently, bats aren’t concerned about potential collapses or radon gas. There was a track laid in the adit and a few pieces of steel rail can still be found near the mine entrance. These rails, the gate and the sign are the only evidence that there was any mining activity here.

This sign is located in a rather remote area. The mine entrance can only be reached by hiking along a 1½-mile trail appropriately called the Uranium Mine Trail. The trailhead is located on Fish Creek Falls Road, just west of the parking area for Fish Creek Falls.

The main text of the sign is as follows:

The History

During the early 1950s the “Fair U Claim,” also known as the “Fish Creek Claim” was prospected for uranium. An exploration adit over 800 feet in total length was driven to locate and sample radioactive mineralization in the Precambrian-aged gneiss and pegmatite intrusions. The deposit was not economic for mining, and the claim was later abandoned.

The Reclamation

The portal was left unsafeguarded, posing a hazard to Forest visitors from roof falls, radon gas and potential oxygen deficiency. The closure method chosen at this site eliminates the hazard to visitors, while allowing bats to continue to use the underground workings as a protected habitat. The ladder-like section of the grating allows bats to fly through, while keeping people out. All cultural and historic features were preserved and left in their existing conditions. Reclamation of the Fair-U Uranium Prospect was a collaborative effort between the United States Forest Service Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement, and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Project construction was performed by Wild West Excavating.

Respect the Past

This historic site is a special place that holds clues to the past. Please ensure its scientific value and the experience of future visitors by leaving it as you found it.

Group that erected the marker: United States Forest Service; Colorado Division of Reclamation Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: Uranium Mine Trailhead Fish Creek Falls Road Steamboat Springs, CO Routt 80487 URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.