FAQ
Location
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is located at the center of over 30 Pikes Peak area attractions. The mine site is geographically situated on the southwest face of Pikes Peak halfway between Colorado Springs and the Royal Gorge.
We are located 1 mile North of Cripple Creek, Co on U.S. highway 67 within minutes of:
- Pikes Peak Heritage Center
- Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railway
- Cripple Creek District Museum
- Cripple Creek Melodrama
- Over 15 Gaming Casinos
- Grassy Valley Mining Overlook
- Numerous hiking trails
- Historic town of Victor
Climate
The Cripple Creek area averages 340 days of sunny weather with average temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Colorado Springs and 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Canon City, Making Cripple Creek, Colorado the BEST PLACE TO BE ON A HOT SUMMER DAY!
Travel Time
Cripple Creek ---- 1 mile
- Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Pikes Peak Heritage Center
- Cripple Creek District Museum
- Old Homestead House
- Cripple Creek Jail Museum
- Gamming Casinos
Victor ---- about 5 miles
Woodland park : --- 30 minutes
Manitou Springs / Old Colorado City : 45 minutes
- Pikes Peak Americas Mountain
- Garden of The Gods
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Cave of the Winds
- Santa's Workshop / North Pole
Colorado Springs : --- About an hour
- The Broadmoor
- Seven Falls
- Van Briggle Art Pottery
- Ghost Town Museum
- United States Air Force Acadamy
- Flying W Ranch
- Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
- Western Museum of Mining and Industry
Canon City : ---- About an hour and 15 minutes
Underground Temperature:
50 degrees F. / 10 degrees C. Jackets are recommended.
How Long do Tours Last?
The tour lasts about an hour.
Are Tours Guided?
Yes. Tour guides are very knowledgeable miners well versed in hard rock gold mining and the history of the Cripple Creek Gold Camp.
Who is Mollie Kathleen?
Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered her mine in 1891. For details, please visit: History
Is This a Real Gold Mine?
Yes. The mine is as-real-as it gets. The Mollie Kathleen is documented by the National Geological Survey as a gold production mine.
Will I See Real Gold?
Yes. Visitors to the Mollie Kathleen view several exposed gold veins in their natural state.
What do We Learn on the Tour?
A local born and raised resident of the Cripple Creek mining district (now in her 70's) best described her impression of the Mollie Kathleen mine tour this way.
"Growing up here, my entire family, including my husband and his family, all made their lives in the mines of Cripple Creek. My husband even worked in the Mollie. I never really understood what he went through, or what mining was all about, until I took the tour of the Mollie Kathleen. It was a wonderful experience."
What is the Descent Like?
Entering the mine is comparable to riding an elevator. The Shaft ride itself takes two minutes at a speed of 500 feet per minute (roughly 5 mph). This may seem fast, however, many modern elevators travel up to 23 mph.
Are there lights underground?
Yes. Both the mine shaft and tour areas are well lit.
Is This a Walking Tour?
Yes. Once you arrive on the tour level, your group will depart the man-skip and advance on a flat and level surface, at a slow walking pace, between displays, for about 1/4 mile.
Is the Tour All Walking?
No. The ride up and down the shaft is like an elevator. Halfway through the tour, visitors board a Tram-air locomotive and ride about 1/4 of the tour distance. They then depart the train and continue on foot, until they load the man-skip
and are hoisted to the surface.
What Should We Wear?
State required hardhats are provided. Jackets are recommended. Good walking shoes are suggested.
Is the Tour Area Claustrophobic?
No. The mine is not claustrophobic. In order to mine underground, one must haul equipment in and gold out. Therefore, a hard rock mine is made to work in not crawl through.
Are Strollers Allowed Underground?
No. Due to limited space, strollers are not allowed underground. For safety reasons only front-mounted baby packs can be used for carrying infants.
Are Wheel Chairs Allowed Underground?
No. The Mollie Kathleen is a real gold mine and is not ADA accessible. Therefore, these items are not allowed underground.
- Wheel chairs
- Walkers
- Crutches
Are Pets Allowed Underground?
No. If you bring pets on the mine property they must be on a leash or contained.
Are There Restrooms Underground?
No. All restrooms are located on the surface of the mining property.
Are Backpacks Allowed on the Tour?
No. Due to limited space on the man-skip elevator, backpacks and other large items are not allowed underground.
