We welcome and encourage you to email us your photos for inclusion in our galleries. Please include a caption, description, and photo credit. Click on any image to get a closer look. Click on any gallery name or follow the more link for more photos.

Let Clear Creek County be your base for exploring all the Colorado Rockies have to offer during your Colorado vacation to hike, camp, bike, ski, raft, or many other outdoor sports.

Our variety of lodging will make your home away from home a great place to rejuvenate for your next adventure. Choose from quaint Bed and Breakfasts, cozy cabins on the creek, traditional small motels and inns.

Discover a truly unique shopping experience in our historic mining communities of Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire and Silver Plume.

With no "Big Box" stores, you will be sure to find that one of a kind gift or souvenir to create a lasting memory of your vacation in Clear Creek County.

A stop into the Buffalo Bar and Restaurant or Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs is a must but. When you are through eating, take a stroll through the beautiful shops and galleries such as The Wild Grape, or The Majestic. Stop into Margie's Place for an Old Time photo to capture your visit.

When touring the National Historic Landmark District of Georgetown be sure to stop for a taste at Canyon Wind's award winning wines; Grizzly Creek Gallery for beautiful and original Colorado photos and note cards.

Before you leave, don't miss a stroll through Silver Plume where high tea is served at the Silver Plume Tea Room while antiques tempt you in their antique store.

The wildlife viewing while on your Colorado vacation is awesome.
So while camping, hiking, biking, skiing or any outdoor sports keep an eye out for creatures big and small.

Observe animals from a safe distance, safe for you and safe for the animals. You can get 'close' by using binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera with a telephoto lens. If the animals you are observing have their heads up, ears pointed toward you, or appear 'jumpy' or nervous when you move, you are probably too close!

ALWAYS keep your dog on leash. You don't want to find out what it is like to pull porcupine quills out of your dog's nose.

Click on any image to get a closer look.
Click on any name for more information.

Below you will find the most complete collection of CDOT Webcams throughout Clear Creek County. These images are updated every 10-minutes unless a camera malfunctions. Reload this page if it has been open for more than 10-minutes to see the latest.

A view of Colorado... where your vacation can be summer hiking, biking, rafting or camping, and winter skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing.

While on your Colorado camping, hiking, biking whitewater rafting, or skiing vacation keep your memories alive with lots of photos.

There is so much to see we needed to break out separate out categories for your enjoyment. We welcome and encourage you to email us your photos for inclusion in our galleries. Please include a caption, description, and photo credit.

Click on any image to get a closer look.

On your Colorado vacation to ski, camp, hike, bike or fish enjoy the many scenic routes to your favorite destination.

Take I-70 to Exit 240 in Idaho Springs. Travel south and follow Hwy 103 to Echo Lake.

At Echo Lake is the Forrest Service's check-in station, which allows you access to the summit. This upper section of the road way is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A fee is charged for the upper section of the byway to help maintain this incredible road, the highest paved highway in North America.

Beginning in Idaho Springs, this 28-mile drive takes you to the summit of Mt. Evans 14,265 foot peak, where you can view the entire Front Range and the Continental Divide.

On your drive up, you will pass several mountain lakes and at the top you will experience the same flora and fauna life zones found at the Arctic Circle.

In addition, you might spot herds of Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep, Colorado's state animal as well as the rare Mountain Goat. Please Do Not Feed Any animals you come across in your adventures.

The original pizza restaurant, located in Idaho Springs, Colorado has been the apres ski hangout since it opened in 1973.In harmony with the environment, we are a Colorado company that utilizes both wind source and solar power in our restaurants. As well, we are commited to being a part of our community, especially where we can support non-profit fundraising efforts.


Come by one of our eight Colorado pizza parlours and enjoy the pizza that has repeatedly been voted Denver's Best by restaurant critics. Sink your teeth into Beau Jo’s signature Mountain Pies. Any leftover crust can be covered with our honey and eaten as a dessert. Our extensive menu also offers pasta, calzones, sourdough sandwiches, salads, Gluten Free Pizza and other low-carb, healthy alternatives.

Our Commitment to our customers
At Beau Jo’s, we strive to create the finest pizzas you will ever experience. We use abundant amounts of the freshest, highest quality ingredients available. Beau Jo’s’ philosophy is simple: Great tasting pizza can be as healthy as you need or want it to be. Since our beginning in 1973, Beau Jo’s has always provided our guests with healthier choices. We use honey as a natural sweetener rather than sugar for our dough and pizza sauce. We offer whole wheat dough in addition to white dough, using 100% pure, naturally healthy olive oil. We also have included our new Gluten Free and Smart Meal Guidelines Menu to show you how to enjoy Beau Jo’s and remain true to your dietary concerns.

In harmony with the environment, we use electricity generated by wind power.

International Scale of River Difficulty
Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering. (Skill Level: None)

Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require maneuvering.(Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)

Class 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering.(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)

Class 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience)

Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience)

Class 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of most all rafting equipment. Traversing a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. (Skill Level: Successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of luck)

The tunnel, the mill and the mines provided employment for over eighty years to thousands of miners. Over two hundred million dollars of rich ore was sent directly to the smelters in Denver; the Argo Mill recovered over one hundred million dollars of gold values and these values were calculated when gold was $18.00 to $35.00 per ounce.

The five-story mill was renovated and opened to the public as a historic and educational tour in 1978. Most of the equipment used for processing the gold ore remains in place. The bottom level of the mill serves as a museum displaying mining and milling artifacts, old payroll records, milling receipts, and old photographs. Each year, the "Mighty Argo" tours guests from all fifty states and many foreign countries. The Argo Mill is a favorite educational and entertaining outing for many public schools who bring students from all grade levels including, engineering students from the Colorado School of Mines.

The Argo Mill has been featured in many national publications and has been the set for several film productions. Because of the historic significance and impact that the Argo Tunnel and Mill played in local and state mining history, it was placed on the National Historic Register by the Department of the Interior in 1977.

The "MIGHTY ARGO" is open in season for tours from Memorial to Labor Day.

Many of the areas open to hikers and bikers are also open to horseback riding enthusiasts.

If you're bringing your horses with you, stop by the Clear Creek District Ranger's Office for a complete guide of the Mt. Evans Wilderness.

WHAT TO WEAR
There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!

For summer touring, light clothing is advisable for outdoor wear. It is generally warm during the days. However, in the evenings, the temperature cools down and might require a light jacket or sweater. At high altitude you should be prepared for blizzard conditions at ANY time of the year..

TEMPERATURES
High/Low Summer Average (June-August) 76º/41º
High/Low Winter Average (Dec-Feb) 45º/15º
Most extreme +95º high -48º low F

GreenBack Cutthroat Trout was officially named the state fish of Colorado in 1994. They are rare and found in small mountain streams and lakes along Colorado's Front Range.

The Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki) deserves to be state fish, as it is the only trout that is native (indigenous) to Colorado. It has a crimson slash on either side of the throat, below the lower jaw. The Greenback is a threatened species on both a state and federal level.

Where to find them: Turquoise and Twin Lakes, Clear Creek, Spinney Mtn, Taylor, Elevenmile Reservoirs, Lake John, Delaney Buttes lakes, Trappers Lake (the largest population of native Colorado River cutthroat trout in the world), South Platte River. Snake River Cutts have been introduced into a host of mountain streams and lakes.

Excerpts from the Siftings News available at the Indian Hot Springs

Driven into the solid rock mountain side, between 1903 And 1911, specifically for the purpose of creating this unique "One of a Kind" facility. One cave for Men and another for Women, each with several huge, sunken, walk-in hot tubs filled with naturally hot mineral water at temperatures from 104 to 112 degrees.

The Indians Were First
Before gold was discovered in the Rocky Mountains and white man took his first bath in the hot springs along Soda Creek, the Ute and the Arapaho Indian tribes used the waters and probably explained them in magical terms as a place primarily for the gods and spirits.

Springs Discovery Recorded
The first specific mention of the hot springs in a published form comes from the diary of George A. Jackson, the man who made the first discovery of placer gold in the Rockies. Jackson amplified his account to some of the members of the Pioneer Association of Clear Creek County who wrote a history of the county in 1918. In this history they reported that Jackson "… passed into the mountains via Mt. Vernon Canyon toward the head of Vasquez Fork (now called Clear Creek), arriving at what is now known as Bergan Park. They discovered a large herd of elk, which they pursued, to the edge of a precipice. At the foot of which they saw Vasquez Fork frozen hard. A longing to follow this stream and further explore the canyon seized him but his companion deserted him, returning to camp and Mr. Jackson started out the next day alone. Descending to the level of the stream he then followed its source to Grass Valley. As he advanced he saw a dense bluish mist arising from one of the canyons, and suspected it to be from an encampment of Indians, he climbed from the mountainside floundering through snow waist deep, to the brink overlooking soda Creek. He peeked cautiously to ascertain the origin of the mysterious smoke and found it to be a thick vapor mounting from the hot springs located there, since known as Idaho Springs. This was known as the Big Geyser which sank away in 1864 and other small springs bubbled up…"

Miners Used The Springs
It is certain that the miners of the surrounding area along Clear Creek took advantage of the naturally hot waters of the springs to bathe in. Hot water for washing would have been truly exotic to an early mining camp. And while it is pure conjecture, it is likely that Augusta Tabor, H.A.W. Tabors first wife, before Leadville and Baby Doe, was the first white woman to use the Hot Springs. Mrs. Tabor according to her own diary, was the first white woman to arrive at Jackson's Diggins which was also called Sacramento briefly in 1859, when she arrived. Augusta opened up a bakery out of the back of the wagon they brought to Sacramento while H.A.W. worked the sandbars of Clear Creek. It seemed likely that the clear hot spring water on Soda Creek would have been irresistible to a woman in a primitive mining camp.

Modern technology has transformed the cumbersome old beartrap into a marvel of efficiency, one that is durable, lightweight, loose-heeled, easy to strap, with bindings that stay tight. These new shoes made from aluminum or metal composites and space-age fabrics aren't as classic as the traditional models, but they perform just as well or better. Most models feature a metal claw beneath the foot to grip hard snow or ice and can be purchased for $100 to $300. Locally, you can rent snowshoes at Maison de Ski, 303-567-2044; Empire Sports, 303-567-2996; and Breeze Ski Rental, 303-567-2670.

Clothing isn't much of a problem either. Dry, comfortable hiking boots (preferably water proof) work fine for recreational jaunts. Just about any warm clothing will suffice. The trick is to match apparel to the conditions, which means layering - pulling off and putting on as weather and degree of activity dictate. You'll also want to bring along a backpack to hold extra clothes, plenty of liquid and high-energy food. Don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses.

As of the census of 2000, there were 355 people, 163 households, and 88 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,406.0 people per square mile (548.3/km²). There were 179 housing units at an average density of 708.9/sq mi (276.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.37% White, 3.10% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.66% of the population.

There were 163 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 112.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.4 males.

Loveland Ski Area has earned a reputation of being the first of Colorado's ski areas to open for the season, and sometimes the first in the country. Cooler temperatures and higher altitude combined with a state of the art snowmaking system make mid-October the mark for ski season to begin. With opening day festivities and smiles on the faces of all those trading in mountain bikes, kayaks and golf clubs for skis and snowboards, the start of ski season is always a festive occasion at Loveland.
Loveland Ski Area has 71 ski trails served by 11 lifts.

Loveland Ski Area is located west of Georgetown, CO on I-70 at exit 216, (12 miles east of Silverthorne, CO and 53 miles west of Denver, CO.)

www.SkiLoveland.com

Loveland Ski Area Statistics:
Summit Elevation: 13,010'
Vertical Drop: 2,410'
Skiable Acres: 1,365
Annual Average Snowfall: 400"
Trails: 71
Lifts: 11
Snowmaking: 12%
Night skiing: No

The town was founded in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush by George and David Griffith, two prospectors from Kentucky. It was named "Georgetown" in honor of the older of the two brothers. Although founded during the gold rush, the town grew rapidly following the discovery of silver on September 14, 1864 by James Huff at a site approximately 8 miles (13 km) up the canyon in the Argentine Pass area.

In the following years, thousands of mines were dug in the mountains surrounding the town and the town quickly grew into a center for prospectors and mine workers in the surrounding mountains. Located in the valley floor, the town itself was not a mining camp but a center of commerce and entertainment for miners in the surrounding mountains.

Georgetown was incorporated on January 1, 1868 and a few months later it wrested the county seat from nearby Idaho Springs, which is a much larger community today. The historic courthouse dates from this year. Georgetown is the only Colorado municipality that still operates under a charter from the Territory of Colorado. The building of the narrow gauge Colorado Central Railroad up the canyon from Golden in the 1870s further increased the central position of the town.

Where Chicago Creek empties into Clear Creek. It was the first substantial gold discovery in Colorado. Jackson, a Missouri native with experience in the California gold fields, was drawn to the area by clouds of steam rising from some nearby hot springs. Jackson kept his find secret for several months, but after he paid for some supplies with gold dust, others rushed to Jackson's diggings.

The settlement was first called Spanish Bar, later renamed Idaho Springs, after the hot springs.

Landscape art created by a camera rather than a brush, landscape photography is a genre meant to show the beauty of the natural world. Most landscape photographers strive to show as little human activity as possible, ideally none, in their photos. Instead, the subjects are landforms, weather, and ambient light.

Landscape photography has become a valuable tool to inspire environmental stewardship. Capturing the beauty of unspoiled places serves to bring dwindling wilderness areas into the public eye. Many noted landscape photographers provide images to environmental protection organizations. Noted organizations use professional and amateur photographers' work to further the preservation cause. EarthJustice.org, one of the most successful wilderness preservation organizations, has a screensaver page highlighting landscape photography that represents causes that they champion. Greenpeace releases a well known annual calendar with some of the most stunning nature photography in print.

Before departing to climb a Fourteener, your group should discuss and agree upon the goals for the hike. Clarifying the group’s expectations will assist with your preparations and give everyone involved an understanding of their role as a member of the group.

Also, keep in mind that a group travels only as fast as its slowest member. Understanding each person’s abilities will ultimately allow to you have a safe, successful trip to Colorado’s high country.

www.14ers.org for complete information on Colorado's 14ers.

Photo by Ron Ruhoff

Keep in mind that for every thousand feet of elevation that is gained along the Colorado hiking trails, the temperature will drop 5.5 degrees. Additionally, ultraviolet radiation increases about 26 percent at elevations between 5,000 feet and 14,000 feet. With this in mind, when you plan your Colorado hiking trip, be sure to pack for all types of weather conditions, and make sure that you bring plenty of sunscreen. Hydration is also crucial at the high altitude Colorado hiking trails. When you head out on your hike, be sure to bring plenty of water. A compass or a GPS will also come in handy.

Anyone planning to go Colorado hiking in the backcountry should consider purchasing the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. CORSAR Cards can be purchased for $3.00 at many local vendors, or by calling the Department of Local Affairs at (970) 248-7310. Purchasing the card provides funding for the volunteers who conduct search and rescue missions throughout all of Colorado’s backcountry.

There are many trails that will allow the whole family to enjoy the ride.

Family Friendly trails

Bakerville-Loveland Trail (BLT)
DISTANCE: 5 MILES / 10 RT
The sounds of the Clear Creek flowing and the trees along the creek bank make this trail like an escape from civilization. Nice family rides with minimal climbing on a forested trail. Underpass now connects this trail with #14.


Silverdale
DISTANCE: 2 MILES / 4 RT
Great beginner and family trail off of Guanella Pass. This ride has rolling streams and never ending majestic views.


Scott Landcaster Memorial Trail
DISTANCE: 5 MILES / 10 RT
This trail is mostly flat and easy in both directions. Enjoy a stop in the National Historic Landmark District of Idaho Springs.


Mt. Evans Scenic Byway
DISTANCE: 14 MILES ONE WAY
There is a lot of room to snowshoe or cross country ski on the gentle sloping road that leads to Mt. Evans. When the gate is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (weather permitting) there is an entry fee.

DISTANCE: 5 MILES / 10 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 900, START 9,800, END 10,600
LEVEL: BEGINNER
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 Bakerville Exit, turn south, immediately ahead there is plenty of parking at the trailhead by the old chimney.

ABOUT: The sounds of the Clear Creek flowing and the trees along the creek bank make this trail like an escape from civilization. Nice family rides with minimal climbing on a forested trail. Underpass now connects this trail with Herman Gulch Trail & Watrous Gulch Trail.

biking
hiking
snowshoeing
skiing

With so many areas to explore, you could spend the entire year in Clear Creek County and not repeat a single trail!

June 13
2008 Clear Creek Raft race from Lawson to Kermitts

June 14
2008 Clear Creek Challenge Triathlon
5 Mile Cross Country Run
20 Mile Mountain Bike
12 mile Class III/IV Paddle (*Class IV/V paddling skills required for whitewater races.

June 15
2nd Annual Lawson Whitewater Rodeo
5 mile Fun Run, Down River Race and Whitewater Rodeo

Distance: 4 Miles / 8 Round Trip
Elevation Gain / Loss: 800'
Level: Intermediate
I-70 Silver Plume Exit #226, go south under interstate, make left going east to parking area.

In 1916, construction began on the beautiful summer resort called Pavilion Point where few remains exist. This trail starts a half a mile from the railroad yard in Silver Plume and connects with the Waldorf Road. Very scenic, beautiful aspen groves.

608 Virginia Canyon Rd.
Idaho Springs, CO
(303) 567-4804

www.aastables.com

The best in Colorado Trail rides, pony rides, horse rental, horseback rides, pack trips, hunting horses, pack horses. We offer Rocky Mountain trail horse riding with a number of unique guided and un-guided trail rides to old 1800's cemeteries, gold mines, rides to Colorado Casinos, and much more.

1) BE EARTH CONSCIOUS — DON'T LITTER!

2) Disc golf is played like ball golf, using flying discs. One stroke is counted each time the disc is thrown, and when a penalty is incurred. The winner is the golfer with the lowest score.

3) Tee throws must be completed within the designated tee areas.

4) After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first. The player with the fewest strokes on the previous hole is first to tee off.

5) Fairway throws must be made with the foot closest to the hole on the spot where the last throw came to rest. The other foot may be no closer to the hole that the foot on this lie.

6) A run-up and normal follow-through, after the release, are allowed more than 10 meters from the hole. Inside 10 meters, a player may not step past his/her lie. "Falling" or "jumping" putts are not allowed inside 10 meters.

7) A disc that comes to rest inside the Disc Pole Hole® basket or chains constitutes successful completion of that hole. A disc that comes to rest on top of the pole does NOT constitute a successful putt.

8) A disc that comes to rest more than 2 meters above the ground is considered unplayable. The disc must be thrown from the ground directly below the disc. 1 stroke penalty.

9) A throw that lands out-of-bounds must be played from the point where the disc went out-of-bounds. 1 stoke penalty is incurred. Water, roads, pavilions and walkways are normal disc golf out-of-bounds hazards.

10) Never throw until the players ahead of you are out of range, and until the fairway is completely clear of spectators and park guests.

11) Enjoy the game of disc golf! It's fun... it's fast... it's the sport of the future!

The main fish stocked in Colorado, Courtesy Colorado Division of Wildlife.

The Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was introduced to Colorado in the 1880's. It is identified by a reddish stripe running down the side of the fish, and by black spots. It was introduced in 1888 into the Gunnison River. They are native to the U.S., but not to Colorado. They spawn in the Spring.

Record: The Colorado record for catching a Rainbow was in 2003 in Morrow Point Reservoir. The fish weighed 19 lbs, 10 oz.

Some fishing spots for Rainbow: almost anywhere -Arkansas, Conejos, Blue, Fryingpan, Gunnison, Taylor, Dolores, Big Thompson, South Platte, Rio Grande Rivers. Steamboat Lake, South Delaney Butte Lake, Turquoise and Twin Lakes. Taylor, Spinney Mtn, Elevenmile, Clear Creek, Road Canyon, Rifle Gap, and Stagecoach Reservoirs.

The Lebanon Mining Company finally strikes the Hise Lode 1,100 feet from the portal. Profitale veins are found and the company enjoys an excellent reputation as a solid producer.

In 1885, the Lebanon is one of only 50 mines in the Georgetown area still producing ore. The tunnel reaches its greatest length of 1,200 feet in 1886, but drastic silver prices declines end further work. By the end of the decade, the mine is silent.

Today you can enhance your Georgetown Train Ride with an optional walking tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine, located at the halfwy point on the railroad. The tour takes you 500 feet into a mine tunnel bored in the 1870s. Your guide will point out rich veins of silber and tell you about early mining.

The temperature inside the mine is a constant 44 degrees Fahrenheit, so bring a jacket.
This is a walking tour lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

The tour also includes visits to the manager's office, the miners' change room and the tool shed.

www.georgetownlooprr.com for complete tour information.

The avalanche is the most underestimated danger in the mountains. People generally think that they will be able to recognize the hazards and survive being caught. The truth is a somewhat different story. The vast majority are reasonably experienced male skiers aged 20-35 but also include ski instructors and guides. There is always a lot of pressure to risk a snow crossing. Turning back takes a lot of extra time and effort, supreme leadership, and most importantly there seldom is an avalanche to prove the right decision was made. Making the decision to turn around is especially hard if others are crossing the slope, but any next person could become the trigger.

When traveling in alpine terrain, parties are advised to always carry: an avalanche beacon, a probe shovel (retrieving victims with a shovel instead of your hands is five times faster) and to have had avalanche training!

Paradoxically, expert skiers who have avalanche training make up a large percentage of avalanche fatalities; perhaps because they are the ones more likely to ski in areas prone to avalanches, and certainly because most people do not practice enough with their equipment to be truly fast and efficient rescuers.
Even with proper rescue equipment and training, there is a one-in-five chance of dying if caught in a significant avalanche, and only a 50/50 chance of being found alive if buried more than a few minutes. The best solution is to learn how to avoid risky conditions.

is located at 39°45′59″N, 105°36′55″W (39.766277, -105.615234)[1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.2 km²), all of it land.

As of the census of 2000, there were 364 people, 143 households, and 101 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 423.7 people per square mile (163.4/km²). There were 156 housing units at an average density of 181.6/sq mi (70.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.13% White, 1.65% Native American, 4.12% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.42% of the population.

DISTANCE: 4 MILES / 8 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 800
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: CONTACT CO. AVALANCHE INFO. CENTER, 970-482-0457

GETTING THERE: I-70 Silver Plume Exit #226, go south under interstate, make left going east to parking area.

ABOUT: In 1916, construction began on the beautiful summer resort called Pavilion Point where few remains exist. This trail starts a half a mile from the railroad yard in Silver Plume and connects with the Waldorf Road. Very scenic, beautiful aspen groves.

biking
4-wheeling
snowshoeing

Abundant throughout Colorado
The Brown (Salmo trutta) was introduced to Colorado in 1890, and is native to Europe and Western Asia. It's identifying marks are black spots, and reddish orange spots inside of light blue circles. They spawn in the fall.

Record: The record Brown caught in Colorado was in 1988, 30 lbs, 8 oz., caught at Roaring Judy Ponds.

Where to go: Elevenmile, Taylor, Spinney Mtn, Beaver Creek, and Clear Creek Reservoirs; Turquoise Lake, Twin Lake, N. Delaney Buttes lakes; Arkansas, Conejos, Rio Grande, Blue, Gunnison, Taylor, Cache la Poudre, South Platte, Dolores, Big Thompson and numerous other rivers.

We are located two miles west of Idaho Springs in the famous Trail Creek Mining District. Your host is Al Mosch, a gold miner in Clear Creek County for over 60 years.

Al, with the help of his family and many, many volunteers reopened the Phoenix in 1980 exposing a very high grade vein, (which you will see on the tour). Along with the Phoenix vein, the Resurrection vein was also discovered. Al says "The Phoenix gold ore is left in place until gold prices go up enough to pay to remove the gold. The small miner has it as rough as ever when it comes to processing their ore. Unless you can afford to build your own mill and assay office, the closest one to Colorado is in Montana."

Due to AL's knowledge of history this tour is considered by many to be the best gold mine tour anywhere, anytime!

Visit our website for complete tour information.

Replaced briefly by lead mining to support the WWI war effort (galena is lead sulfide, recall), Silver Plume itself became moribund except for tourism inspired by the Argentine Central Railroad and by the first passenger tramway in the nation. The Sunrise Peak Aerial Tramway began operation in 1907 with twenty-six gondola cars that carried sightseers 2000 feet up Pendleton Mountain.



The old school house pictured to the left is currently the home of the Goerge Rowe Museum. It is open during the summer for tours 10 to 4 daily.



The town’s further recovery depended on commercial skiing after WWII (largely thanks to veterans of the 10th Mountain Division). From the 1960’s to the present the recovery has depended on the migration into the mountains of folks from urban and rural flatlands in Colorado and elsewhere around the nation.

Take a drive up "Oh My Gawd Road", the hair-raising shortcut to nearby Central City, another historic gold rush town known as the "richest square mile on earth".

Take I-70 to exit 241 in Idaho Springs.

Follow Colorado Blvd. into town.

At the fork in the road stay to the right and then take the second right onto Virginia Canyon Road.

This scenic dirt road gets its name from its spectacular views as well as its narrow and curving lanes.

The canyon is filled with old mining sites, and like the travelers of yesterday, many people drive the road in search of gold as they drive between Idaho Springs and the gambling communities of Central City and Blackhawk.

You've probably already seen Georgetown!

The historic downtown was used as the location for the filming of a scene from the 1978 movie Every Which Way But Loose starring Clint Eastwood. The scene features the climactic showdown between Philo Bedoe (Eastwood's character) and the Black Widows motorcycle gang.

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT, starring John Denver, was also filmed in Georgetown in 1986. Several merchants carry John Denver merchandise and copies of the movie for sale as well.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,889 people, 841 households, and 485 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,820.1 people per square mile (701.3/km²). There were 904 housing units at an average density of 871.0/sq mi (335.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.71% White, 0.74% Black or African American, 1.06% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 1.54% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 5.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 841 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.9 males.

mountain lion hunting

Required Mountain Lion Education Certificate: It is illegal to obtain a mountain lion license or hunt lions without a mountain lion education certificate issued by the Division of Wildlife, attesting successful completion of the DOW’s certified lion education and identification course.

Hunters must carry the certificate while hunting lions. Information about the course is available at Mountain Lion Education and Identification Course or DOW offices.

DISTANCE: 5 MILES / 10 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 800
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: I-70 Georgetown Exit #228, Park in Historic Downtown Georgetown, on your bike go south on 6th Street to its end at the Energy Museum, make a left then a right onto Biddle Street, at Main Street make a left heading east, take Main to Saxon Mountain Road, follow this to the last house and enter what appears to be a driveway, this is the start of the trailhead.

ABOUT: This is an easy, scenic trail with a few technical spots that can be walked. The route provides a view of Alvarado Cemetery graveyard and the remains of the Silver Creek Town site.
biking

4-wheeling

Distance: 5 Miles / 10 Round Trip

I-70 Georgetown Exit #228, Park in Historic Downtown Georgetown, on your bike go south on 6th Street to its end at the Energy Museum, make a left then a right onto Biddle Street, at Main Street make a left heading east, take Main to Saxon Mountain Road, follow this to the last house and enter what appears to be a driveway, this is the start of the trailhead.

This is an easy, scenic trail with a few technical spots that can be walked. The route provides a view of Alvarado Cemetery graveyard and the remains of the Silver Creek Town site.

The Gateway Visitor Center, located off of I-70 at the entrance to Georgetown, (exit 228) provides visitors with information about the area's history and background as well as directions to the many historic sites within the Georgetown/Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District.

Just about everything you would want to know about Georgetown and our area is available (maps, directions, weather, bathrooms, facts & history).

9th Street
Georgetown

Early prospector's log cabin
Construction Date: c1870

This log cabin was a pioneer prospector's home. It is one of the few remaining log cabins, typical of many that once dotted the Clear Creek valley.

The simple log structure represents one of the earliest and most common types of construction in the mining west.

A very prolific fish
The "brookie" (Salvelinus fontinalis) can basically outbreed the other species of fish, helped by its fall spawning. They were introduced to Colorado in 1872, and are native to Canada and the Eastern U.S. Their body is dark, with red and white spots within bluish circles. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins can be orange, with black and white edges.

Record: The record Brook caught in Colorado was in 1947, weighing 7 lbs, 10 oz. at Upper Cataract Lake.

Where to find them: North Platte River, Road Canyon Reservoir, East Delaney Butte Lake, S. Boulder Creek; almost all high-mountain lakes, streams, and beaver ponds

The town sits at an elevation of 8530 feet (2600 meters), nestled in the mountains near the upper end of the valley of Clear Creek in the mountains west of Denver along Interstate Highway I-70. Although a small town today, the town was a historic center of the mining industry in Colorado during the late 19th century and at one time was the third largest community in the state, earning the nickname the "Silver Queen of Colorado". It has evolved into a lively historical summer tourist center today with many preserved structures from the heyday of the Colorado Silver Boom. The town stretches roughly north-south along Clear Creek, hemmed in by the mountains, with the historic downtown located at the southern (upper) end and modern development located at the northern (lower) end of town.

Georgetown has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.7 km²), of which, 0.9 square miles (2.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (7.77%) is water. Georgetown is located at 39°42′45″N, 105°41′45″W (39.712381, -105.695845).

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,088 people, 503 households, and 278 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,146.2 people per square mile (442.2/km²). There were 670 housing units at an average density of 705.8/sq mi (272.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.96% White, 0.18% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.41% of the population.

DISTANCE: 5 MILES / 10 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1,800, START 9,600, END 11,400
LEVEL: ADVANCED
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 Georgetown Exit # 228, follow signs for Guanella Pass Road-Scenic Byway, drive up Guanella Pass hill, go past the first reservoir (Silverdale), at the 2nd hairpin turn is Waldorf Road on the right, turn onto Waldorf and park on either side, your tour starts here heading up Waldorf Road.

ABOUT: This National Forest System road follows the old Argentine Railroad. The last section of the ACRG takes you to the summit of Mount McClellan. Snowfall may exist even in the summer. Once you go over Argentine you are going up to the Continental Divide.

biking
4-wheeling
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

Distance: 5 miles / 10 Round Trip

I-70 Georgetown Exit #228, Follow signs for Guanella Pass Raod-Scenic Byway, drive up Guanella Pass hill, go past the first reservoir (silverdale), at the 2nd hairpin turn is Waldorf Road on the right, turn onto Waldorf and park on either side, your tour starts here heading up Waldorf Road.

This National Forest System road follows the old Argentine Railroad. The last section of the ACRG takes you to the summit of Mount McClellan. Snowfall may exist even in the summer. Once you go over Argentine you are going up to the Continental Divide.

The largest trout
Courtesy Colorado Division of Wildlife
The Lake trout, or Mackinaw, (Salvelinus namaycush) were introduced in 1890. They can live up to 20 years. They are native to Canada, Alaska and the Great Lakes . They spawn in the fall. They have irregular white spots on their dark bodies. They prefer deeper water, but will feed in shallower waters during spring and fall. Their tail fin is deeply indented.

Record: The Colorado record is 44 lbs, 5 oz caught in 2003 at Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Where to find them: Turquoise Lake, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Taylor Reservoir, North Catamount Reservoir.

Backpacking is a very mobile variety of tent camping. Backpackers use lightweight equipment that can be carried long distances on foot. They hike across the land, camping at remote spots, often selecting campsites at will if resource protection rules allow. Backpacking equipment typically costs more than that for car camping, but still far less than a trailer or motorhome, and backpacking campsites are generally cheap.

One form of bicycle touring combines camping with cycling. The bicycle is used to carry the gear and as the primary means of transportation, allowing greater distances to be covered than backpacking although less capacity for storage.

Photo by Ron Ruhoff

Idaho Springs to Central City
National Register 1/31/1978, 5CC.76

Begun in 1893, the Argo Tunnel extends approximately five miles toward Central City at an average depth of 1,800 feet. It was designed by local mining entrepreneur Sam Newhouse to transport ores from area gold mines. The Argo Mill dates from 1913. The hillside location of the sprawling complex’s interconnected structures is clearly visible from Interstate Highway 70. Primarily constructed with a steel frame surfaced with corrugated iron panels, portions of the mill rise to a height of nearly seven stories. The operation closed after a mine disaster in 1943, and the mill has been operated as a museum/tourist attraction since the late 1970s.

The Chamber and Tourism Bureau of Clear Creek County is the leading nonprofit (501c6), membership-driven business organization dedicated to creating a climate in which business can succeed by working to constantly improve the economic well being and quality of life in Clear Creek County.

The purpose of the Chamber and Tourism Bureau of Clear Creek County (CTB) is to improve the economic climate within Clear Creek County. This organization will continue to serve as the county's Lodging Tax Panel and will work to increase the number of visits to Clear Creek County, and to provide information and direction to visitors in the county.

In addition, the organization will facilitate business interaction and disseminate information relating to commercial, industrial, and civic interests to stimulate business within the area.

DISTANCE: 8.3 MILES TOTAL
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1869, START 9,800, END 11,669
LEVEL: ADVANCED
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: Best to use two vehicles. From I-70 take exit #228 to Georgetown. Follow the scenic byway signs for Guanella Pass Road. Drive up Guanella Pass. Park one car at the Burning Bear Campground on the south side of Guanella Pass. Park second car atop Guanella Pass at the trailhead and start your ski.

ABOUT: Start skiing directly east toward Mt. Bierstadt, then veer to the right and down the headwater of Scott Gomer Creek to meet with Abyss Trail. Continue down trail to Burning Bear Campground.

hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

Distance: 3.2 miles One-Way

Elevation Gain / loss: 1,600', Start 9,200', End 10,800'
I-70 to the Fall River Road Exit #238. Take this road approximately 6 miles up to the 2nd switchback, veer off to the left of the 2nd switchback and enter the dirt road. Park to the east of this switchback. The trail follows the drainage.

The highest paved road in the northern hemisphere, this fantastic drive starts in Idaho Springs, proceeding south on Colorado Highway 103 for 14 miles to its junction with Colorado Highway 5, which then winds thru Alpine Meadows, an ancient Bristlecone Pine forest and miles of undisturbed tundra with plentiful wildlife and amazing plant life.

Thank You Ron Ruhoff for the photo

Another native
The Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) is indigenous to the White and Yampa Rivers. It was introduced into the Cache la Poudre and Roaring Fork Rivers. It spawns in the fall. It's mouth is smaller than a trout's, making angling more difficult.

Record: The Colorado record for a whitefish was in 1982, weighing 5 lbs, 2oz. and caught on the Roaring Fork River.

Where to find them: Cache la Poudre, White, Yampa, and Roaring Fork rivers, plus numerous lakes.

US Hwy. 40 on east side of Berthoud Pass, Empire vicinity
State Register 6/14/2000, 5CC.1006

Initially constructed in 1921, the bridge site also includes features added in 1935. Although the stone structures on the site are in deteriorating condition, the property continues to serve as an important visual reminder of the early automobile highways constructed to provide access over Colorado’s high mountain passes. A non-profit organization, Partners for Access to the Woods, is working toward rehabilitating the site as an accessible recreational area.

DISTANCE: 1.5 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1,000, START 11,200, END 12,200
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: From I-70 take exit #228 to Georgetown. Follow the scenic byway signs for Guanella Pass Road. Take this road to the first road past Guanella Pass Campground to the Silver Dollar Lake trailhead. You may park here or travel another 1/4 mile up a 4-wheel drive road where the trailhead begins. This short trail is occasionally steep and challenging as it weaves above timberline to two lakes.

ABOUT: The first lake, Naylor is private property. You make look, but please do not trespass. Silver Dollar Lake is public.

hiking
camping

Length - 3.3 miles.

From I-70 take the U.S. 40 Exit 232 and proceed west to Empire. Pass through this historic town and through Berthoud Falls. Exit left at the sign for the Henderson Mine. Just before the Henderson Mine guardhouse, turn right onto road 144. Take this short dirt road to the trailhead. Here the four-wheel drive road begins. The road is closed just over the pass, so you will need to return by the same route. Since this road may be blocked by snow even during the summer months, please check the Clear Creek Ranger District in Idaho Springs (exit 240) for road conditions before you depart. 303-567-3000.

Idaho Springs

Contemporary View of the Still Operable Waterwheel - On holidays, the waterwheel is decorated to celebrate our mining history. It is maintained by volunteers and is one of several historic properties protected by the City and the Historical Society of Idaho Springs.

The Charlie Taylor Water Wheel is located at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. The largest water wheel in Colorado, it was built by Charlie Taylor in 1893, who attributed his robust health to never shaving, never bathing and never kissing women.

A camping folding chair

A tent, lean-to or other shelter device. Campers may bring screen tents to provide shelter from insects.

A sleeping bag for warmth. A sleeping pad or air mattress is often placed underneath the sleeping bag for cushioning from stones and twigs as well as for insulation from the ground is also recommended.

A lantern or flashlight.

A hatchet, axe or saw for cutting firewood (where allowed; see campfire) or constructing camp gadgets
Various types and sizes of ropes and tarps for stringing clotheslines, sheltering dining areas, and other purposes.

A chuck box filled with the many varied camp kitchen items for food preparation, consumption and cleanup.

A bag to place your trash in, one with handles can be tied to a tree limb, or clothesline off the ground.

Bring your own Firewood. NEVER cut a standing tree for any reason. (A portable stove to prepare hot meals and/or drinks where campfires are forbidden or impractical.)

Water for your campfire.
Don't light a fire you can't put out!

South of I-70, below Bridal Veil Falls
State Register 9/9/1998, 5CC.229

Originally a part of Tayler's series of five stamp mills, the waterwheel was moved as a community project to its present location in 1948. Since then, it has served as an important visual landmark for Idaho Springs residents and for those traveling through the area. In 1988, volunteers donated an estimated 3,800 hours of labor to the rehabilitation/restoration of what is considered to be a valuable community resource.

DISTANCE: 2 MILES / 4 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 600
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 Georgetown #228 or Silver Plume #226 Exits, park in either town, peddle toward the train depot, the paved path entrances are marked.

ABOUT: Peddling above the railroad tracks, this paved bike path offers a moderate climb out of Georgetown.

biking
hiking
snowshoeing

Distance: 6 Miles Not Including loops

Elevation Gain / Loss: 1,050'. Start 9,750', Highest Point 10,800'
Level: Intermediate
I-70 to Idaho Springs - Hwy. 103 Exit #240, head south on hwy. 103, approximately 10 miles up there will be a wide shoulder in the road on the left side, park here, bike through the forrest service gate, this entrance will drop you into Devil's Canyon.

Enjoy the great camping in Clear Creek County Colorado

Help us by protecting our forest and campgrounds... remember to make sure your campfires are totally out before leaving your campsites / picnic areas.

Take plenty of water (there are areas that do not have water available at your campground).

A shovel and an axe is a must as well.

83 Sunny Ave.
National Register 3/25/1993, 5CC.183

The Peck House is recognized as the oldest lodging establishment in Colorado. Members of the Peck family owned the property until 1945. The original 1862 Peck residence, a small 1½-story front gabled roof post and beam structure, is set on a rubble foundation. During 1862-63, a two-story 30-foot long addition was constructed to the east. In 1880, the addition was extended by 40 feet, and a veranda was added along the south and east sides of the hotel. In 1955, a compatible addition was constructed on the west.

(Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park®)
Georgetown to Silver Plume
National Register 12/18/1970; Amended to include additional resources, State Register 3/9/1994, 5CC.9

Built in 1877 to haul silver ore, the Colorado Central Railroad also enjoyed popularity as a tourist attraction. The Devil's Gate high bridge, considered to be an engineering feat and this most famous element of the route allowed climbing trains to circle back over the lower track as the railbed rose from Georgetown to Silver Plum. The bridge was dismantled in 1939. During the 1970s, the railroad resumed summer service over the rebuilt loop and 4.5 miles of track, the result of a restoration project coordinated by the Colorado Historical Society. The Society operates the railroad during the summer months. The property is associated with the Railroads in Colorado, 1858-1948 Multiple Property Submission. (Photograph 2006)

DISTANCE: 2 MILES / 4 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: NONE
LEVEL: BEGINNER
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: I-70 Georgetown Exit #228, follow signs for Guanella Pass Road-Scenic Byway, drive up Guanella Pass hill, go to the first reservoir, Silverdale, entrance road to parking area and trailhead is on the left, start ride heading across the wooden bridge.

ABOUT: Great beginner and family trail off of Guanella Pass. This ride has rolling streams and never ending majestic views.

biking
hiking

Opening Memorial Day weekend

Distance: 28 miles

Take I-70 to Exit 240. Follow Hwy 103 to Echo Lake. This paved roadway leads from Idaho Springs, to Mt. Evans. For a moderate ride, park one vehicle at Echo Lake and take the byway down to town. Then have another vehicle ferry you up. For a difficult ride, climb from Idaho Springs back to Echo Lake, or continue to the top of Mt. Evans!

There is a lot of room to snowshoe or cross country ski on the gentle sloping road that leads to Mt. Evans. When the gate is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (weather permitting) there is an entry fee.

DISTANCE: 3.2 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1,600, START 9,200, END 10,800
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 to the Fall River Road exit #238. Take this road approximately 6 miles up to the 2nd switchback, veer off to the left of the 2nd switch back and enter the dirt road. Park to the east of this switchback. The trail follows the drainage.

ABOUT: You can see Mt. Flora, Mt. Eva and James Peak on the Continental Divide from this trail.

4-wheeling
showshoeing
cross country skiing
snowmobile

Distance: 2.8 Miles

Off I-70 take the Mt. Evans Exit #240. Head south on Hwy. 103. Travel 14 miles, you will pass Echo Lake. Continue on Hwy. 103 until you reach mile marker 19. The road is located on the south side where parking is available. This is the best access to the mountain. Head up Squam Mountain Road a short distance from Hwy. 103, turn left onto the trail which is the original Echo lake Road. After 2 miles, there is a "get-off" road down to Hwy. 103, but keep on the road for the last 3/4 mile. At the top is a breath-taking view of Mt. Evan's, while the trip down is exhilarating for skiers.

Taos St., between 4th & 5th Sts.
National Register 8/14/1973, 5CC.5

Built on a steep hill by Cornish miners in 1870, the wood frame church has a steeply pitched front gabled roof and a gabled roof vestibule with double doors and transom set in a gothic arch. The clapboard walls have corner boards, and gothic arched windows are evenly spaced on both sides of the building. The interior is notable for its open truss roof structure, carved pew ends, and an 1877 organ.

1414 Colorado Blvd.
National Register 3/5/1998, 5CC.241

The building is a good local example of the Gothic Revival style. Originally constructed in 1880, additions date from 1905. Slight variations in the brick work serve as evidence of the building's expansion to meet the changing needs of a growing congregation.

DISTANCE: 9 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 4,470, START 9,800, END 14,270
LEVEL: ADVANCED
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: I-70 exit # 221 for Bakerville. The trailhead is on the south side of the interstate to the right of the large parking area by the old chimney. In the summer you may drive in about 4 miles before starting your hike. Stevens Gulch road ends at the Grays Torreys Peak trailhead and is very bumpy.

ABOUT: There is quite a bit of private property in this area, so stay on the road and do not trespass. Being the highest mountain on the Continental Divide, even in the summer snowfields still exist at such high elevation. Be prepared for sudden weather changes.

hiking

DISTANCE: 6.5 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1,200, START 10,400, END 11,600
LEVEL: ADVANCED
AVALANCHE: CONTACT CO. AVALANCHE INFO. CENTER, 970-482-0457

GETTING THERE: I-70 Empire Exit #232, take Hwy. 40 past Empire past Berthoud Falls, take a left at the Henderson Mine exit, go 2 miles to the mine and parking area, you will see signs for Jones Pass. After about ¼ mile, Butler Gulch Trail shoots off to your left. Parking is on Henderson Mine Property, please be respectful.

ABOUT: This route takes you on the crest of the Continental Divide and above tree line. It is a moderate to steep climb that takes you through trees on a narrow road.

biking
4-wheeling
snowshoeing
cross country skiing
snowmobile

Alpine St.
National Register 4/28/1970, 5CC.8

The two-story brick building is stuccoed, and its symmetrical facade includes tall, narrow segmentally arched windows on both floors. The building is one of Georgetown’s most impressive commercial structures. Originally constructed as a bakery in the 1870s, Louis Dupuy, a native of France, subsequently purchased the building. Circa 1889 he created the present facade as part of the building’s conversion into a hotel/restaurant. The Hotel de Paris, with its elegant appointments and extensive assortment of imported wines, provided a bit of France in the Colorado Rockies. In 1953, the Colorado chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames purchased the building for use as a museum.

DISTANCE: 3 MILES / 6 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 600, START 9,800, END 10,400
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: From I-70, take exit 232 onto hwy 40, and proceed west to Empire. At the center of town, turn right onto Park Ave. Road turns to gravel, follow to parking area on left, about 1 mile.

ABOUT: Begin by riding on road# 171.2 climbing through aspen and conifers. Continue until you meet 183.1. Here you can either ride to Bill Moore Lake, or continue on 171 to make a long loop via Red Elephant Hill. Sweeping views of wildflowers dominate this ride.

biking
hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 8 MILES / 16 RT
ELEVATION/GAIN/LOSS: 3,300
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs Exit #241, go through East Idaho Springs and find parking, start your bike ride heading west to fork in road, take the left at the fork onto Miner Street, take this to Soda Creek Road, left onto Soda Creek Rd., 1.5 miles on Soda Creek Rd.(you will pass Indian Springs Resort), to the Idaho Springs Recycling Center on the right, opposite the recycling center is Steves Canyon Rd., turn left onto this road and bike ½ mile down, Warren Gulch is stenciled on a rock at your left, this is the entrance. This trail crosses private land on the north end, please be respectful.

ABOUT: Warren Gulch is part of the Colorado East Mountain Segment of the American Discovery Trail, the nations first coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreation trail.

biking
hiking

919 Taos St.
National Register 12/5/1972, 5CC.11

The circa 1875 residence is an unusual 1¾-story front gabled roof building with the main entrance located toward the front of a side wall. One of the earliest buildings in Georgetown, it was constructed with whip-sawed boards applied vertically. Window and door frames and the large wooden quoins were planed and shaped by Erskine McClellan in his wood-working shop that stood at the rear of the property. McClellan was an important local figure who served in a variety of civic posts. His McClellan Opera House was destroyed by fire in 1892.

DISTANCE: 2.5 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1,800, START 10,400, END 12,000
LEVEL: ADVANCED
AVALANCHE: CONTACT CO. AVALANCHE INFO. CENTER, 970-482-0457

GETTING THERE: I-70 exit #218, 3 miles west of Bakerville.

ABOUT: Two trails branch from this location, Herman Gulch starts on the old sawmill road to the left and Watrous Gulch begins in the trees to the right. On Watrous Gulch above treeline wildflowers cover the ground like a quilt. On Herman Gulch, near the top of the trail, rock cairns lead the way to Herman Lake. This trail is a leg of the Continental Divide.

hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 2.0 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1,200, START 10,400, END 11,600
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: CONTACT CO. AVALANCHE INFO. CENTER, 970-482-0457

GETTING THERE: I-70 exit #232 toward Empire. Take Hwy 40 past Berthoud Falls; take a left on Henderson Mine Road. Just before reaching the mine entrance gate, bear to the right where there is a parking area. Start traveling on the Jones Pass Road. After about ¼ mile, Butler Gulch Trail shoots off to your left.

ABOUT: This moderate to steep climb takes you through trees on a narrow road. This leads to an open bowl where the glades are ideal for telemark skiing.

biking
hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 5 MILES / 10 RT
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: NONE
LEVEL: BEGINNER
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs Exit #241, head east on Colorado Blvd., turn south (left) on the one way street just past the Safeway store, make right at stop sign, left at “T” intersection, you are on the bike path.

ABOUT: This trail is mostly flat and easy in both directions. Enjoy a stop in the National Historic Landmark District of Idaho Springs.

biking
hiking

DISTANCE: 6 MILES (NOT INCLUDING LOOPS)
ELEVATION/GAIN/LOSS: 1050, START 9,750, HIGHEST POINT 10,800
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs - Hwy. 103 Exit (# 240), go south on Hwy. 103, approximately 10 miles up there will be a wide shoulder in the road on the left side, park here, bike through the forest service gate, this entrance will drop you into Devils Canyon.

ABOUT: This trail is one of the upper entrances into the Barbour Forks trail. It climbs up onto a ridge with views of Mt. Evans, Devils Canyon and Chicago Creek. It is open to 4- wheel drive traffic, but is closed to vehicles in the winter through June 15th for elk calving.

biking
hiking
4-wheeling
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 8 MILE LOOP (INCLUDING DIRT ROAD)
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 2,800
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs Exit #241, go through East Idaho Springs to fork in road, take the left at the fork onto Miner Street, take this to Soda Creek Road, left onto Soda Creek Rd., past Indian Springs Resort, go approximately 4 miles up to the end of Soda Creek Rd., there is a parking area at the Forest Service gate, trail starts here.

ABOUT: This trail supplies hillside meadows full of wildflowers, tall stands of aspen, mixed conifers. Road is closed to vehicles from late fall to June 15.

biking
hiking

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DISTANCE: 1.4 MILES ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 700, START 10,000, END 10,700
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs exit #240 – Hwy. 103. Go south on Hwy. 103, take the right at the Dead End sign, which is Hefferman Gulch Road. Go past the cabins 1.5 miles and make a left at the fork. Park in the level parking area and cross back over the creek to the trailhead.

ABOUT: The trail follows a gradual incline through thick forest. It is an excellent intermediate route for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 6.5 MILES ONE WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 960, START 10,640, END 10,450
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs exit #240 – Hwy. 103. Go south on Hwy. 103. Travel 14 miles to Echo Lake.

ABOUT: From Echo Lake the trail climbs over a ridge and descends to a bridge crossing over Vance Creek. At approximately 5 miles in you will see the intersection for Lincoln Lake Trail to the west. Continue on Resthouse Trail down 1.5 miles of switchbacks to the remaining chimney of the Mt. Evans Shelter House.

hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 1 MILE ONE-WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 910, START 10,800, END 11,710
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: N/A

GETTING THERE: On Hwy. 103, pull over around mile marker 18. The trailhead is on the south side of the road and is not marked as a trailhead.

ABOUT: You will pass through spruce and fir forest and eventually reach rocky talus. The last stretch of the trail offers an overlook of Mt. Evans, Mt. Goliath, Rogers Peak, and Rosalie Peak.

hiking

Perhaps the fastest creatures on earth, American peregrine falcons can swoop down on prey at speeds reaching 200 mph. The peregrin is a medium-sized falcon characterized by a nearly black helmet, a dark slate-blue back and buff broken by horizontal bars on the under parts. Adult peregrines vary in length from 15 to 22 inches, with wingspread of 43-46 inches. Female peregrine falcons are slightly larger than the males, and weigh between one pound 14 ounces and two pounds 11 ounces; males average one pound seven ounces.

DISTANCE: 14 MILES ONE WAY
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 1050, START 10,550, END 14,130
LEVEL: BEGINNER
AVALANCHE: NONE

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs – Hwy. 103 exit #240. Go south on Hwy. 103. Travel 14 miles to Echo Lake. Parking is near the gate for Mt. Evans Road (closed to drivers in the winter).

ABOUT: There is a lot of room to snowshoe or cross country ski on the gentle sloping road that leads to Mt. Evans. When the gate is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (weather permitting) there is an entry fee.

biking
hiking
4-wheeling
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: ¼ MILE LOOP
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 0, START 10,550, END 10,550
LEVEL: BEGINNER
AVALANCHE: NONE

GETTING THERE: I-70 Idaho Springs – Hwy. 103 exit #240. Go south on Hwy. 103. Travel 14 miles to Echo Lake. Parking is found at Echo Lake picnic area or near the closed gate for Mt. Evans Rd.

ABOUT: This flat ¼ mile loop is an excellent area for beginners to learn winter sports. Echo Lake is a Denver Mountain Park and a beautiful scenic getaway from the summer heat of Denver.

hiking
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

DISTANCE: 2.8 MILE TRAIL
ELEVATION / GAIN / LOSS: 886, START 10,600, END 11,486
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
AVALANCHE: MINIMAL

GETTING THERE: Off I-70 take the Mt. Evans Exit #240. Head south on Hwy. 103. Travel 14 miles, you will pass Echo Lake. Continue on Hwy. 103 until you reach mile marker 19. The road is located on the south side where parking is available. This is the best access to the mountain. Head up Squaw Mountain Road a short distance from 103, turn left onto the trail which is the original Echo Lake Rd. After 2 miles, there is a “get-off” road down to 103, but keep on the road for the last ¾ mile.

ABOUT: At the top is a breathtaking view of Mt. Evans, while the trip down is exhilarating for skiers.

biking
hiking
4-wheeling
snowshoeing
cross country skiing

Adults are two to three feet long (one third of which is tail) and weigh eight to 22 pounds (heaviest in the autumn). Raccoons walk flat on their feet, as humans do, and their familiar tracks include an elongated hind foot and a hand-like forepaw.

Range: Raccoons live statewide at moderate elevations, but once they lived only along riparian corridors on the eastern plains. Raccoons have been greatly helped by permanent human settlement, development of irrigated agriculture, planting of shelterbelts and ornamental shrubs and trees and casual disposal of garbage.

Diet: Raccoons eat just about anything: fruits, carrion, nestling birds and eggs, rodents, roosting bats, insects, crayfish and mollusks. They may damage crops, especially corn and melons. They feed near water and rinse the food, perhaps as an aid to their smelling and tasting rather than because they are fastidious.

Habitat: Raccoons can be found anywhere from the dense forest to your back yard. These critters will seek out any food they can and stay close by.The raccoon in the image, was found with a three others in a dumpster, and was re-introduced into the wild.

Reproduction: Females produce a single litter of three or four young after a gestation period of about nine weeks. Blind and nearly naked at birth, the cubs have pigmented skin where their facemasks and tail rings will be. Growth is rapid, and the young are weaned by four or five weeks of age. Large owls and other predators kill raccoons, but automobiles may be the greatest cause of death today. Maximum life span is over ten years, but two or three years is average. Raccoons in Colorado are managed as furbearers.

The Marten (often called the pine marten or American marten) is a weasel that lives in trees. Males are about two feet long, with an eight inch tail, and they weigh about 1 1/2 pounds. Females are 10 to 20 percent smaller than the males, and weigh only half as much as the male. Martens are brown, right to the tip of the tail, and a pale yellowish brown beneath. Martens are mostly nocturnal, but when they are hungry they are active day or night. As other weasels, martens are active year round. In the coldest weather they may den in a tree hole or chickaree nest.
Martens are tolerant of humans and easily accommodate to feeding areas. In the old days, a marten was the resident mouser in many a miner's cabin.

Range: Martens are mammals of coniferous forests in northern and western North America.

Habitat: In Colorado, favored habitats are old-growth sub-alpine forests of spruce, fir or lodge-pole pine.

Diet: In these forests is where they pursue their preferred food, the chickaree or pine squirrel; as well as nesting birds. On the ground they also capture red-backed voles.

Reproduction: Mating occurs in the summer, but embryos don't implant until early spring. One to five young are born in April after about a month of gestation. Typical of weasels, the young are blind and nearly naked, but develop rapidly and are weaned at about two months of age. No species habitually preys on martens; trapping and habitat destruction from clear-cutting trees probably are the most important sources of mortality.

The animals are five to six feet long with a tail three to six inches in length. Rams weigh 150-250 pounds, ewes 120-200. Males are about three feet high at the shoulder, ewes slightly less. Color is usually grayish brown, with a paler belly and a white rump patch. The massive, coiled horns of mature rams may make up to 10 percent of the body weight. Ewes have spike-like horns.

The bighorn sheep is the mammalian symbol of the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado's official mammal. Colorado is home to the largest population of the species anywhere. The animals are five to six feet long with a tail three to six inches in length. Rams weigh 150-250 pounds, ewes 120-200. Males are about three feet high at the shoulder, ewes slightly less. Color is usually grayish brown, with a paler belly and a white rump patch. The massive, coiled horns of mature rams may make up to 10 percent of the body weight. Ewes have spike-like horns.
“Brooming” is the term used to describe the chipping and fraying of horns, usually caused by fighting. Some brooming may be caused by accidents or digging. Rams achieve “full curl” at about seven or eight years of age. Usually, bighorn sheep are diurnal, being active during daylight and exhibit little nocturnal (nighttime) activity. Adult rams stay segregated from ewes, except during the rut. Young rams join bands of rams when they are two to three years old. Rams battle each other, cracking horns, to test dominance within in herd.

Hunting bighorns is carefully regulated. Approximately 100 to 300 sheep are harvested annually. Parasitic disease is common in bighorns. Coyotes, mountain lions and eagles prey on them, and some bighorns succumb to accidental falls.

Idaho Springs, CO

http://www.aaamtnrealtyandauction.com/

Welcome to Idaho Springs, Colorado just minutes west of Denver Colorado. The Idaho Springs community serves as the gateway to The Rocky Mountains, World Famous Skiing and year-round Alpine Recreation. Mt. Evans state park, world class skiing, and limited gambling in Gilpin County make Idaho Springs a busy hub.

Idaho Springs, CO
(303) 567-1261
(303) 548-0468 cell

www.danyascott-colorado.com


Your Local Real Estate Broker With World Wide Connections. Danya Scott, broker/owner of Re/MAX Mountain Realty has been providing real estate services to Clear Creek County since 1986. With twenty years of experience in this market, Danya has the knowledge, skills and contacts. Danya knows the market and has a longstanding reputation for getting the job done. Danya specializes in Commercial as well as Residential and has a full service property management division. Please give her a call regarding all the new additions and plans for Clear Creek County.

Executive Committee: Chair: Bob Smith, Alpine Insurance
Vice-Chair: Dan Ebert, Two Brother's Deli & Buffalo Restaurant
Treasurer: Paul Nisler, Rose Street Bed and Breakfast
Secretary: Cindy Condon, City of Idaho Springs

Advertising/PR/Marketing Committee:
Chair: Suzen Raymond, Mile Hi Rafting
Vice-Chair: Chip Bair, Beau Jo's.

Special Projects Committee:
Chair: Open Position
Dan Ebert, Two Brother's Deli & Buffalo Restaurant
Dave Reid, Twin Tunnels Development

Internal Marketing Committee:
Chair: Cindy Condon, City of Idaho Springs; Cindy Olson, Idaho Springs City Council; Paul Nisler, Rose Street Bed and Breakfast

Membership and Benefits Committee:
Chair: Vicki Larson, Miners Pick Bed and Breakfast; Gaye Buzbee Jacobs, Tour Guide IGA / RMGA; Dianne Wille, EDS Waste;Chelle Kleinwachter, Paramount Home Loans

1501 Miner Street Unit B
Idaho Springs, CO
(866) 303-1555 / (303) 567-1563

www.stonegate-realestate.com

Bill Bateman - Owner/Broker of Stonegate Realty makes buying, selling or relocating to the Clear Creek County/Gilpin County area smooth and hassle-free. Bill has over 15 years of real estate experience behind him and will educate you about the area and neighborhood that will give you the best value for your dollar. Experience makes the difference.

Price: $150.00

Enhanced Listing (50 word Description), hyperlink to your website and Name in Bold on the CTB website.
Enhanced Listing if appropriate (Name in Bold and website address) in CTB Brochures
Eligible for Member to Member Discount Program
Eligible for Loveland Merchant Ski Pass Program
Member rate for all CTB Functions
Eligible to participate in co-op Advertising Opportunities (on a first come, first serve basis)
Community Support
Networking Opportunities
Event Promo: Press Releases to Media List and Listing in Events Calendar

Price: $300.00

All of the above, plus...

One small banner ad for one month on homepage of CTB Web Site
Promotional insert in one month of the CTB Newsletter
Free Booth at Business Expo
¼ page ad in one month of CTB Email Newsletter Promotion

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We welcome and encourage you to email us your photos for inclusion in our galleries. Please include a caption, description, and photo credit. Click on any image to get a closer look. Click on any gallery name or follow the more link for more photos.

We welcome and encourage you to email us your photos for inclusion in our galleries. Please include a caption, description, and photo credit. Click on any image to get a closer look. Click on any gallery name or follow the more link for more photos.

We welcome and encourage you to email us your photos for inclusion in our galleries. Please include a caption, description, and photo credit. Click on any image to get a closer look. Click on any gallery name or follow the more link for more photos.

We welcome and encourage you to email us your photos for inclusion in our galleries. Please include a caption, description, and photo credit. Click on any image to get a closer look. Click on any gallery name or follow the more link for more photos.