Climax, Colorado, Lake County is a alluring ghost town that once thrived as a bustling mining community. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Climax was once the leading producer of molybdenum, a crucial metal used in steel production. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Lake County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 39.3675° N, 106.1914° W
Elevation: 11,360 feet (3,463 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1914
Disestablished: 1961
Comments: Climax was primarily established due to the rich molybdenum deposit discovered in the area. The mine significantly contributed to the U.S. economy, especially during World War I and II, when the demand for molybdenum surged.
Remains: The site still houses some old mining equipment and structures, though the surrounding natural landscape has reclaimed many. The former mining operation’s tailings and remnants of infrastructure can still be seen.
Current Status: Climax is no longer an active town, but the mine has seen occasional reopening for molybdenum extraction, depending on market demand. The site is not generally open to the public, and access may be restricted due to ongoing mining activities.
The village of Climax is now considered to be a ghost town. The former Colorado & Southern Railway line from Leadville is now operated as a tourist line by Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad.
The line stops at an overview of the Climax Molybdenum Mine and Fremont Pass. Climax is also a destination for automobile tourists, bicyclists, and photographers, but the location lacks commercial enterprise and is not well advertised.
Remarks: Despite its ghost town status, Climax remains a point of interest due to its history as a major industrial hub. The site reminds visitors of the boom-and-bust cycle of mining towns and the enduring legacy of such industries in shaping regional economies.
After a 17-year shutdown, the Climax mine reopened and resumed shipment of molybdenum on May 10, 2012. Climax’s reason for being is its huge deposit of molybdenum ore.
The Climax mine was the largest molybdenum mine in the world, and for many years, it supplied three-fourths of the world’s supply of the metal. Over the years, it evolved from “at times the largest underground mine in the world,” into a pit mine.
