SCHOOL GROUP TOUR INFORMATION – 2011

Thank you for your interest about school group tours of the Old Hundred Gold Mine. The following should answer many of your questions. For more information, or to reserve a date and time please contact Ernie Kuhlman, Mine Manager at the above address. Telephone 800-872-3009, or fax 970-240-8597 (5/1 – 10/5). Winter Bill Jones cell contact 970-799-2856.

SEASON & TIMES: Tour operates daily Saturday, May 14th, 2011 through Monday, October 10th, 2011. Normal tours depart hourly 10:00 am through 4:00 pm. Extra tours may be run on the half-hour in peak season as required. Larger group tours, particularly in peak season are scheduled to start on the half-hour to avoid conflict with regularly scheduled tours. Special tours may also be scheduled before or after regular hours. Larger groups may require splitting into two tours run 30 minutes apart.

RESERVATIONS: Reservations are required in advance for group rate tours. Tours must arrive at least 25 minutes before their scheduled time. Late arrivals cannot be guaranteed space. Note the tour operates at capacity in peak season. Allow 15 minutes to drive from Silverton to the mine site (5 miles). Once at the site we need at least 15 minutes to get the group ready to go underground with coats and hard hats.

GROUP SIZE: The mine train can take a maximum of 35-40 persons per trip. Larger groups must be split up and run 30 or 60 minutes apart. A minimum of 15 people are needed to get the group tour rate. Tours are generally not exclusive, meaning the Old Hundred reserves the right to fill available empty seats with members of the general public.

PRICES & TERMS: Special school price is available May through June and September 5 through Oct 10. Price is $6.00 per student through 8th grade $7.00 per student, 9th grade and above. Parents (including “home school” parents) accompanying group are $15.00 each. Professional public/private school teachers and bus drivers are free. In peak season standard commercial group rates apply at $15.00 per adult and $7.00 children ages 5 – 12. Price includes mine train ride, underground tour, and gold panning on surface.

ACCESSIBILITY INFO: The tour involves casual walking on gravel pathways with 35 to 45 minutes of standing. Limited seating is available underground at certain points. The altitude is 10,000 ft above sea level. There are no stairs or climbing, but one or two steps up into the cars. Wheelchairs can be accommodated but will be on rougher graveled surfaces. The train can fit one wheelchair with occupant. Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Persons who are claustrophobic are not recommended.

OTHER INFO: Be sure to allow enough travel time to the site, both to Silverton, and from town to the mine site. Traffic is heavy and slow in the summer on the state highway to Silverton. The road to the mine is 2 miles of paved and 3 miles of dust controlled gravel county road. Parking lot is large and there is ample room to turn around a bus or coach. At the mine allow at 15 - 20 minutes for restrooms and to outfit guests with coats and hard hats before your scheduled departure underground on the mine train. There is a covered picnic area with tables at the gift shop. Mine temperature is about 46 degrees F (9 C). Mine tour operations and schedules are subject to change and can be affected by severe weather.

SILVERTON INFO: Silverton is a Historic Landmark with full services, restaurants, and shopping. It is the terminus of the famous Durango-Silverton narrow gage steam train. The Silverton Museum is located in the old county jail at the courthouse. The historic 1929 Mayflower Gold Mill, is also open for tour groups and is conveniently located along the road to the Old Hundred Mine Tour. For museum/mill info call Beverly Rich at 970-387-5488. The Silverton Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-752-4494 has more area information or visit www.silvertoncolorado.com