Mothers Day – Georgetown Loop Railway

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Admin

Mother’s Day is a special day for all mothers who ride the Georgetown Loop, roses and chocolates are given to all mothers this weekend. Stop into a Georgetown restaurant to have tea or lunch and make a day of it, Georgetown and neighboring Silver Plume are great places to spend a unique Mothers Day with shopping and fun for the family.

The Georgetown Loop Railway was completed in 1884 and travels on three foot narrow gauge railroad from Georgetown to Silver Plume. At the time it was considered to be an engineering marvel and today when you take the train you can see why. The train travels through a steep narrow canyon following the creek for part of the way and even thorugh the two towns are only 2miles apart by road the train doubles the distance as it takes the path of a corkscrew route in order to gain more than 600 feet in elevation.

The train will take you over four bridges across Clear Creek including the Devil’s Gate High Bridge, which is the one you see most in photos.

In the cooler weather the carriages are enclosed and heated then in the summer you can ride in open carriages and get to really experience the thrill of the old train and what it was like back in the days of train travel.

The Georgetown Loop opening weekend was April 30th and will run though December 2011. To purchase tickets in advance go to http://www.georgetownlooprr.com/

Guanella Pass Road Opening Times & Dates

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Admin

Guanella pass from Bierstadt Guanella Pass Road will be open from Georgetown to Grant and Park County by the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 27, 2011.

Weather permitting, road construction will begin again in May and include the following closure schedule:

Monday-Friday–days, 8-11am and 1-3pm
Sunday-Thursday–nights, 8pm to 6am
No closures on the weekends.

Entire project completion date estimated to be September 24, 2011.
Until this Memorial Day weekend, the road is only open to Clear Lake Reservoir.

Lebanon Silver Mine

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Admin

Lebanon Mine The Lebanon Mining Company finally strikes the Hise Lode 1,100 feet from the portal. Profitable 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 reached its greatest length of 1,200 feet in 1886, but drastic silver prices declined ending further work. By the end of the decade, the mine was 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.

Stevens Gulch to Grays Peak National Trail & Torreys

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

Grays Peak National Trail & Torreys 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.

Resthouse Meadow (Shelter House Trail)

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

Resthouse Meadow 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.

Bakerville-Loveland Trail (BLT)

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

Bakerville Loveland Trail (BLT) 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.

Old Squaw Pass Road / Arapahoe Springs

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

Old Squaw Pass Road 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.

South Chicago Creek Trail

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

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.

Warren Gulch Trail

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

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.

Herman Gulch Trail & Watrous Gulch Trail

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Admin

Herman Gulch Trail
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.