Evidence of Humans in Nature

The 'Evidence of Human Presence in Nature' project was the second series of photos I captured for the CMDP 3700: Photographic Practices course at CU Boulder for the Media Productions Major.

We were tasked to photograph anything that showed the evidence of human impact. Many people did pollution related projects, but I chose to steer my series in the direction of urban exploration in nature. These photographs depict the ruins of what is now a mountain ghost town.

I went to this old hiking trail north of the small Colorado mountain town of Nederland. I had gone down this hiking trail once and noticed the ruins at the start, but ventured deeper than I had before to find as much evidence and history of the humans that once inhabited this area.

Specifically, I went to the ghost town of Caribou located near Nederland.
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Caribou used to be a silver mining town from 1871 to 1917, until a fire had burned down a majority of the mine as well as the town. In the 1920s, Caribou had about 50 people, but at its peak it was said to be over 3,000. 
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I chose to document the ruins that are left as evidence of what used to be a bustling town at the end of the 19th century. Throughout time and generations, many people have passed through the ruins, trails, and what is left of the homes and cabins of Caribou. 

These photos are evidence of who was once here, who has left and who continues to pass through.