Southwest Colorado is loaded with old abandoned mines. They are everywhere, some more abandoned than others. Neosho Mine is accessed from town and is a deceptively steep climb along the Sutton Mine Trail. The views at the top are amazing, and worth every lung-pounding step. When you finally reach the mine, it really gives you perspective on what miners went through back in those days. If we had to endure those conditions just to get to work, very few of us would make it!
According to this Durango Herald article, the iconic song "Danny Boy" was penned here. More of the history of this mine on the USFS site.
More pictures of the mine itself - and summer wildflowers - on our neighbor's blog here: https://boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/another-car-less-adventure-from-lovely.html