Climax Colorado Ghost Town

Climax, Colorado is located between the ski resort of Copper Mountain and the mining village of Leadville high up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Today, Climax is considered a ghost town. Despite its current designation, Climax has a fascinating history of mining and tidbits about the boom-days that make it a tourist attraction.

Climax holds the record for having the nation's highest post office and railroad station. The town sits at 11, 300 feet. The name Climax is attributed to the town's high altitude and the fact that it lies near the top of Fremont Pass. The rich history of the area and the spectacular views atop Fremont Pass remain a great draw for people from all other the world.

At one time, the Climax Molybdenum Company operated the largest molybdenum mine in the world. In the early 1900s, the company was supplying nearly three-fourths of the total of the world's supply. This mineral is used in the hardening of steel and the manufacturing of auto and plane parts. During its hey-day, Climax had nearly 1,000 workers residing in the town.

However, many of the old residences have now been moved to a new location near the west end of Leadville. The houses were just picked up from their original location and transported by flatbed trucks to the new site. About all that remains of Climax today are historical signs and some leftover mining items. But driving to Climax provides some of the most spectacular views in the Rocky Mountains.