Tomboy is one of the more impressive ghost town sites. It’s easy to get to with 4WD, and not too bad for the determined hiker. And by determined, I mean adjusted to the thinner air. At 11,500 ft, it’s one of the highest ruins in the US. It also boasted some modern facilities that you wouldn't expect to exist in a late 1800s era mining camp. At one time, there were tennis courts and a YMCA. Although few buildings remain standing, the collapsed remains of others and foundations are everywhere. Originally called Savage Basin Camp (for being in Savage Basin), the mine itself was named Tomboy. Eventually, the name of the town reflected the mine, and the workings at Tomboy continued until 1928. The mine tunnels themselves continued to be worked until 1978. An interesting story told by the Telluride locals is the "Social Tunnel" along Tomboy Road. The lonely miners would meet women from Telluride at the Social tunnel, a halfway point. There, things of a "social" nature would occur.

Ghost Town Tomboy Photography Pages Available

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Displaying Tomboy photography page 1 out of 4.

Part of the mill complex looking west out of Savage Basin. Notice the remains (and landslide) of the Smuggler-Union mill in the distance, Tomboy road, and the Telluride airport in the far distance. (Upper left)
Camera Used: Canon Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure Time: 1/320    Aperture: f/4.0    ISO: 80
Date Taken: 2008:06:23 18:04:49

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Informational sign by the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Camera Used: Canon Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure Time: 1/800    Aperture: f/4.0    ISO: 80
Date Taken: 2008:06:23 18:05:06

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Camera Used: Canon Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure Time: 1/1000    Aperture: f/4.0    ISO: 80
Date Taken: 2008:06:23 18:05:39

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Camera Used: Canon Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure Time: 1/250    Aperture: f/4.0    ISO: 80
Date Taken: 2008:06:23 18:07:10

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Camera Used: Canon Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure Time: 1/250    Aperture: f/3.5    ISO: 80
Date Taken: 2008:06:23 18:07:21

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Ghost Town Tomboy Photography Album Pages Available

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Displaying Tomboy photography page 1 out of 4.