So, a little further up the road, we come to the proverbial fork-in-the-road.
I was pretty sure Mosquito Pass was the way to go, but the road heading down to the left was in much better shape and looked like it had more traffic so I decided to check it out first. The road went straight to the gates of an operating mine with all kinds of No Trespassing signage. I hung around until someone showed up. Turns out it was the owner of the mine, just who I wanted to talk to. His name was also Joe, and after explaining what I was doing on his property and that I didn't plan on being there long, he was kind enough to share all the information about the area I was looking for. This is when I found out I was in the wrong gulch and the Sweet Home Mine was the in the next one over. Joe said he didn't mind me spending a few hours poking around, which was all the time I had, but that if I found anything good he wanted to see it. I wish Joe the best of luck with his venture and hope he finds us here on RHL.
Now folks, I have to tell you, it was my total intention to spend my time investigating and searching the rocks in the tailing piles along the road. But truth be told, I would get out of the car and look at my surroundings. Take some pictures of the mountains and flowers and start back to the car, without even thinking about looking at the rocks. I know, I know, sacrilege.
Here's the fork to Mosquito Pass and what I found at my first stop.

Okay, here's the turn around spot. I didn't get to the tailings I was hoping to get to, but I didn't want to push the rental car much further.
I didn't want to have to change a tire out here.

Okay Folks, for any of you who have made it this far, it's all wildflowers and mountain scenery from here on out.
I will be putting reports and pics of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, in Leadville, CO.
https://www.mininghalloffame.org/

and the Colorado School of Mines, in Golden, CO.
https://www.mines.edu/geology-museum/

in the "Museum Mineral Photos" section below.

On Wednesday, Debra, Jim, and I hiked the "moderate" mountain, Shrine Mountain, at Vail Pass that was known for it's prolific wildflowers. The first one "featured" on the climb up was instantly my favorite because of it's shape and deep color. It is called Monks Hood and is said to be very toxic. So much so that the Native Americans are said to have used a mixture of this plant to poison the tip of their arrows. Ranchers have to eradicate it from their fields so grazing animals won't eat it.
Going up?

We were running out of time so I didn't make it all the way to the top ,
but I did make it to the "saddle" just a short way from it.
Debra sprinted on up to the top to scout it out for me.
But from the spine of the saddle I could see both sides of the mountain.
First pic is of the top not quite to the saddle. Second picture is from the spine looking west and third pic is looking east.
And more flowers on the way down.

Glad you enjoyed it, Victor. It's been a while since I was last out there.
It's incredible country. Good test of body and soul.
I think you will enjoy some of the pics from the museums whenever I get them up.
A final few wildflares from hither and yon to add to the Colorado Collection.

Thanks lizzie, Glad you enjoyed it! I did get a little carried away by the scenery.
Shortly after returning I went up to Spruce Pine for the Grassy Creek Show and a chance to compare our mountains to the Rockies. Well, there's no comparison. Just two completely different worlds!