COLORADO, GHOST-TOWN Exploring + Camp-Out: JULY 25th - 29th 2024

[RCinNC]

Well, I hope your surgery goes well, and you recover quickly.................If you can make it, that would be great.
I'd say just blow-off the surgery and come anyway, but I'm not going to give that kind of advice....................

If it was anything else, I would blow it off for this. Unfortunately, it's one of those "you better do this now rather than later" kind of things.

Hopefully I'll be able to return to Colorado next summer and see some new stuff.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Ghost-Town Ride #1
Friday, July 26th 2024

I'll be easing us into the Weekend with a shorter Ride-Day on Friday.

Have all of your Coffee, Breakfast, and morning "Duties" out of the way, and be preparing to Ride around 10:00am.
Anyone that might be Lodging elsewhere (in Town), be prepared to meet us at the Campground around 10:00am.
Please have your Bikes fueled-up already prior to meeting at Camp.

We will depart the Campground (Kickstands-UP) at 10:30am

Today's Ride will be 80-Miles total, including 30-miles of easy graded-gravel or hard-packed solid Dirt Road.

*I encourage everyone to wear protective Riding-Boots!*
Be aware that we will be walking around while viewing the Sites.
Either wear Boots that you do not mind walking around in, or have a way to carry a spare pair of comfortable footwear for walking.

We will be away from Town for approx 4-5 hours or so, and I do not have a Lunch-Stop scheduled for this day.
There is no place to buy Food along today's route.
I would encourage everyone to pack some snacks or a lunch to bring with you, that we can eat at one of our stops.
Have a way to bring Water with you as well!



Map of today's destinations:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pccAHaBHJRoAYx3g9


Once we leave the Campground we will head East on Rd-306 towards Buena Vista.
We will turn North onto Rd-361 to bypass the majority of the busy part of Town. (this road is paved)
Once we meet back up with Hwy-24, we will continue North until turning West on Rd-390 at Clear Creek Reservoir.
This is where it turns to Dirt/Gravel. this is easy-flat road.

The first Site we come to is the former location of "Beaver City"

Apparently the one Cabin by the road is all that remains of the 20 or so buildings that once stood here.
We'll make a quick stop here.

After this we will continue West until we arrive at a small Parking-Area for the Ghost-Town of "Vicksburg"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicksburg,_Colorado

There is a "Museum" here that may, or may-not be open to the public........
We'll spend about an hour here wandering around.
There is also a Vault Toilet across the road at the Missouri Gulch Trailhead, in case anyone needs to use this.

Next we'll continue to head West to "Crescent Mining Camp", which I have also seen referred to as "Rockdale"
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12461

We'll spend maybe a half-hour or so at this location with time to wander around.
The first 2 Cabins are reserve-able by the Forest-Service, and being a Friday will most likely be occupied.
Remind me to tell you a story about this while we are there..................
We can have a snack/lunch break while we are here.

We will continue West from here to the Ghost Town of "Winfield"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield,_Colorado


There is also a "Museum" here, which also may or may-not be open to the public?
It's neat to peer into the windows also, of the buildings you can see into.
We'll make a stop at the Cemetery, which is just past the Town, before heading back out the way we came.
Maybe spend 45-minutes to an hour or so wandering around.

I'll attach the GPX files in case anyone wants them.

 

[SkunkWorks]

For the return Ride back to the Campground, we will be taking a slightly different Route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gLanwBJP1MsSgzVq6


We'll start by heading back East on the Gravel/Dirt road towards Hwy-24.
We turn South on Hwy-24 until we reach the cutoff at Rd-371.
We'll cross the River here, and turn South on 371. This will be hard-packed Dirt-Road as we follow along the River.
Continuing South, we'll ride through the "Midland Tunnels". A series of three short Tunnels through the Rock, as we head towards Buena Vista.


After we reach Town, we'll make a quick stop for Fuel, before a short Ride over to "Maxwell Schoolhouse"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell_Park_School


From here, we will Ride back to the Campground.
Those that want to break-away here to head back into Town to eat on their own, or back to their Lodging, are welcome to do so.
I'll be preparing my own Dinner at Camp.
Those that want to prepare their own Meals are welcome to join me!

If the weather is nice, and the Day is still early, I "May" go for a Pavement-Rip just for fun, up over Cottonwood Pass and return to Camp if anyone is interested?

There will be a Campfire for those that want to hang-out after Dinner.
Bring your Beverage-of-Choice.............Adult or otherwise...........

I'll attach the GPX file.

Stay Tuned for Saturday's and Sunday's Rides posting shortly!

 

[SkunkWorks]

Hopefully I'll be able to return to Colorado next summer and see some new stuff.

Give me enough of a Heads-Up, and we can certainly get together if you'd like.

 

[RCinNC]

Give me enough of a Heads-Up, and we can certainly get together if you'd like.

I'll certainly do that.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Ghost-Town Ride #2
Saturday, July 27th 2024

Today's Ride will be a bit longer, and a bit more scenic.
We will also be starting an Hour earlier than we did the previous day.

Have all of your Coffee, Breakfast, and morning "Duties" out of the way, and be preparing to Ride around 9:00am.
Anyone that might be Lodging elsewhere (in Town), be prepared to meet us at the Campground around 9:00am.
Please have your Bikes fueled-up already prior to meeting at Camp.

We will depart the Campground (Kickstands-UP) at 9:30am

Today's Ride will be 152-Miles total, including 28-miles of easy graded-gravel or hard-packed solid Dirt Road.

*I encourage everyone to wear protective Riding-Boots!*
Be aware that we will be walking around while viewing the Sites.
Either wear Boots that you do not mind walking around in, or have a way to carry a spare pair of comfortable footwear for walking.

We will be stopping for lunch in Leadville at a historic location, so no need to bring a lunch with you. (although if you want to, that's OK too)
I would encourage everyone to bring Water with you.

Map of Today's first section:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pYHtcEgunE2L5mu5A


Once we leave the Campground we will head East on Rd-306 towards Buena Vista.
We will turn South on Rd-321 (this is paved)
When we meet up with Rd-162 we will turn West. This road is paved until a couple miles before reaching the Ghost Town of St. Elmo. It turns to dirt just before reaching Town.

We will park in town, and wander around to have a look.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Elmo,_Colorado

The "General Store" should be open for visitors.
I'm not sure if any of the other buildings are open to the public, but there may be others.
We'll spend around an hour to an hour and a half checking out the Town.

After this we will backtrack a short way to the junction or Rd-295, where we will head South. (this will all be easy Dirt/Gravel)

Heading South for a few miles, our next stop will be the remains of the Allie Belle Mine.

There are a few Structures here right next to the road, and a few more up the hill.
We'll wander around here and see what we can see.

Next we'll continue South almost a mile to the Ghost-Town of Hancock.
https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ghost-towns/hancock/


Not much is left here except the remains of an old Saloon.
Just a "Ghost" of its former self.



I'll attach the GPX file for the first section.

 

[SkunkWorks]

After the Ghost-Town site of Hancock, we will head back North the way we came.

Here's the Map of the 2nd section for the day.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/23CAQPQHfa6PvzB17


About halfway back to St. Elmo, we will stop at the Morley Bridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morley_Bridge

Supposedly this is Colorado's oldest dateable vehicular Truss Bridge.
We won't be able to ride over it, but we can wander over to have a look.


Once we leave here we will ride back past St. Elmo and return to pavement on Rd-162.
We will ride this East until it meets up with US-Hwy 285, where we will turn North.
We'll keep heading North past Johnson Village (where the road becomes US-Hwy 24) and Buena Vista on our way to the Town of Leadville.

Our next stop will be for Lunch at the Silver Dollar Saloon.
https://legendarysilverdollarsaloon.com/history

Here is their Menu:
https://legendarysilverdollarsaloon.com/menu

If anyone fancies Pizza instead of the Saloon Menu, there is "High Mountain Pies" directly behind the Saloon.
https://www.hmpies.com/menu


Here's the GPX file for the second section.

 

[SkunkWorks]

After Lunch we will visit a couple more Mine Sites before heading back to Camp.

Here's the Map for the 3rd section.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HY5w3eAc5zYA5Qm37


Once we leave the Saloon we will ride North a couple blocks and turn East on 7th Street.
We will ride East as it turns into Rd-3 as it leaves Town.
About a mile outside of Town the road turns to easy dirt-road.

We will continue East to the site of the Monarch Mine Ore House.

We can wander around here for a bit before heading back the way we came.

On our way back into Leadville, we'll make a stop at the Matchless Mine.
https://www.mininghalloffame.org/matchless-mine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchless_Mine

They offer Surface Tours of the various Buildings if anyone is interested.
Their website says $10 for unguided, or $15 for guided.


From here we will ride back into Leadville, and back South on US-Hwy 24.
Once we reach Buena Vista, we'll make a stop for Fuel before heading back to the Campground.

Those that want to break-away here to eat on their own, or back to their Lodging, are welcome to do so.
I'll be preparing my own Dinner at Camp.
Those that want to prepare their own Meals are welcome to join me!

There will be a Campfire for those that want to hang-out after Dinner.
Bring your Beverage-of-Choice.............Adult or otherwise...........

Here is the GPX file for the 3rd section for Today.

 

[~TABASCO~]

This sounds fun ! Probably head up for this !

 

[thughes317]

Man....I wish I didn't have acrophobia and mild vertigo (twice as much fun on a motorcycle, as you can imagine), these mountain trips look amazing.

 

[Cycledude]

I am very impressed with all the effort and detail SkunkWorks is putting into this event !!!

 

[SkunkWorks]

I am currently working through the Route for Day-3 (Sunday)...........From the research I've looked at, it's going to require a phone call to the Ranger-Office and most likely a re-route.......

 

[merchant]

Sounds like a ton of fun. Need to see if Mrs. Merchant has anything on our calendar.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I've spent a little time on Sunday's planned destinations.
After some research and a phone call to the Gunnison Ranger office, unfortunately it looks like we are not going to be able to visit "Alpine Tunnel West-Ghost Town" site this season.

There was an Avalanche that dumped a bunch of rocks on the roadway, and damaged part of the road and retaining-wall back in 2015 or 2016.
It has been closed to vehicle traffic ever since.

The good news is that they received some Federal Grant money, with the help of a major Off-Road group and funding from OHV fees to rebuild this part of the road.
Work started in the summer of 2022 to remove loose rock above the roadway.
The contracted company started work on excavating the roadway, and work to rebuild the retaining-wall supposedly started last August (2023). It is expected to continue through 2024 and into 2025.

https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/restoring-colorados-rocky-mountain-alpine-tunnel-historic-district



The section of the road that is closed is highlighted in these two pages, taken from the 432-page Plan document that I found on the National Forest site.
https://www.nationalforests.org/assets/files/rfp/RFP-Palisade-Wall-and-Alpine-Tunnel-Reconstruction.pdf





The person I spoke to at the Ranger Office was unable to tell me "Exactly" the spot where the road will be closed this season.
There are a few other sites of interest along the road before we get the location of the reconstruction..............
It may end up being a situation where I include them, and we ride as far as we can............until we can't.

I'll readjust the destinations for Sunday's Ride, and post up the Routing this weekend.

Stay tuned!

 

[SkunkWorks]

Ghost-Town Ride #3
Sunday, July 28th 2024

Today's Ride will take the longest, and will be the most scenic.
It will also include the most amount of Dirt of the three days.

Have all of your Coffee, Breakfast, and morning "Duties" out of the way, and be preparing to Ride around 9:00am.
Anyone that might be Lodging elsewhere (in Town), be prepared to meet us at the Campground around 9:00am.
Please have your Bikes fueled-up already prior to meeting at Camp.

We will depart the Campground (Kickstands-UP) at 9:30am

Today's Ride will be 138-Miles total, including 77-miles of graded-gravel or hard-packed solid Dirt Road. (some of this will be bumpy)

*I encourage everyone to wear protective Riding-Boots!*
Be aware that we will be walking around while viewing the Sites.
Either wear Boots that you do not mind walking around in, or have a way to carry a spare pair of comfortable footwear for walking.

We will be stopping for lunch in Pitkin, so no need to bring a lunch with you. (although if you want to, that's OK too)
I would encourage everyone to bring Water with you.

Map of Today's first section:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6hZY3kMrr94dJ37A


Once we leave the Campground we will head East on Rd-306 towards Buena Vista.
We will turn South on US-Hwy 24
When we pass Johnson Village we will continue south (the road becomes US-Hwy 285 here) until we reach Poncha Springs.
Here we will turn West on US-Hwy 50 and start heading up Monarch Pass.
Almost to the Top we will turn Right onto Rd-237 (Old Monarch Pass Rd). This is where the Dirt starts for this Ride.
We will make a quick stop at "Old Monarch Pass", before heading down the other side.



This first section is really easy.
The Dirt Road is wide and level as we head down the Pass. There are a bunch of easy switchbacks, and you will catch glimpses down into the Valley below, but this entire section is in the Trees and not exposed at all.

Once we reach the bottom we take a sharp right turn onto Rd-888 and will be heading North towards the small town of White Pine.
We will make a stop at the old White Pine Cemetery and take a break to wander around for a bit.



From here we can take the short Ride into "Downtown" White Pine.
There's not much Old West history left to see here, as most of the properties are all more modern Summer-Cabins.
https://www.coloradocentralmagazine.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-white-pine-colorado/

We will ride back the way we came on Rd-888 until we veer off to the right on Rd-887.
This road remains Dirt as we ride West over Black Sage Pass through the Trees.
The Pass is short and we emerge into some Ranch-Lands as we connect briefly with Rd-774A, and then turn North on Rd-763
We'll continue up the Gulch for a short Ride. We will make a quick stop at the Site of the former Town of Bowerman.
https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ghost-towns/bowerman/

There is only the remains of one structure left here, but apparently it's for sale if anyone's interested?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/325727857526

From here we continue in a northerly direction up over Waunita Pass, and down the other side to the Town of Pitkin.
The dirt roads in this section are all easy, with maybe some potholes here and there. There are switchbacks going up and down the short Passes, but they are all wide and not challenging at all.
The Passes in this first section of the Day are all in the Trees, and not exposed at all.

We will stop for Lunch at the "Stumbling Moose Bar and Grill"
https://www.checkle.com/biz/stumbling-moose-lodge-bar-and-grill-pitkin/menu?id=a71df4d3-40e5-4439-a01e-b265dcaaf250&lightbox=0



Here's the GPX file for the Day's first section:
Stay Tuned for the rest!

 

[SkunkWorks]

After Lunch, we'll make our way over to the Pitkin City-Hall for a couple pictures.



We will start the second section for the Day here.

Map of Today's second section:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qPLV7HEtMEfFU8bH7


We continue through Town and exit out the north end on Rd-765

A short way up this road we come to the junction of Rd-839, and the site of the Ghost-Town of Quartz.
We'll make a quick stop here.
https://mail.ghosttowns.com/states/co/quartz.html
There is a Sign that marks the location, but there is nothing left of the former Town.

From here we will turn east and ride down Rd-839.
This would be the road to take to get to the old Train Station and the Ghost-Town at the Alpine-Tunnel site.
As I mentioned in a previous post, this road is closed to traffic at some point near where they are working to restore the Roadway up on the Mountainside.

There are a few things to see along this road, and we'll ride as far as we can to the closure-point.
They most likely will not be actively working on a Sunday, but I am not planning on riding past any temporary Barriers that may be in place.
We'll turn around wherever we come across them.

This road is slightly more narrow than we have previously been riding on, and a little more bumpy.
It follows the old Railroad grade, so the curves are gentle and it is mostly flat.
It is an easy road through the Trees. There is nothing difficult about this road.

As we ride along we'll make a quick stop at what is left of the "Midway Water Tank" (so named because it was halfway between Quartz and Woodstock)
The Tank itself is long gone, but its Base is still there.


We'll continue along down the road.
A few miles later we come to the "Williams Gulch Water Tank"
A Tank once stood at the Town of Woodstock just down the line. When the Town was destroyed by an Avalanche, it was then rebuilt at its current location.
This Tank has been restored. (I'm told by the "Mile HI Jeep Club" in the 70's)


Just down the Grade from here is the site of the former Town of Woodstock.
This Ghost-Town has an interesting, and deadly story.
https://999thepoint.com/woodstock-colorado-ghost-town-avalanche/


Just a short distance from here we'll reach the "Sherrod Loop", where Trains would make a U-turn to make their way up the Gulch to the Alpine Tunnel.
A short section of Narrow-Gauge Track remains here to show what it looked like.
At one time there was a Hotel, a Hardware Store, and a Saloon here as well as Miner's dwellings.


I am anticipating that this is as far as we will get, and will have to turn around here.
Since 2016 the road has been closed past this point, with some temporary Barricades placed.
The Forest-Plan also shows they will be staging Equipment just past here as well.

Here is the GPX-file for Today's 2nd section.

 

[Mad_Matt]

Ghost-Town Ride #3
Sunday, July 28th 2024

Today's Ride will take the longest, and will be the most scenic.
It will also include the most amount of Dirt of the three days.

Have all of your Coffee, Breakfast, and morning "Duties" out of the way, and be preparing to Ride around 9:00am.
Anyone that might be Lodging elsewhere (in Town), be prepared to meet us at the Campground around 9:00am.
Please have your Bikes fueled-up already prior to meeting at Camp.

We will depart the Campground (Kickstands-UP) at 9:30am

Today's Ride will be 138-Miles total, including 77-miles of graded-gravel or hard-packed solid Dirt Road. (some of this will be bumpy)

*I encourage everyone to wear protective Riding-Boots!*
Be aware that we will be walking around while viewing the Sites.
Either wear Boots that you do not mind walking around in, or have a way to carry a spare pair of comfortable footwear for walking.

We will be stopping for lunch in Pitkin, so no need to bring a lunch with you. (although if you want to, that's OK too)
I would encourage everyone to bring Water with you.

Map of Today's first section:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z6hZY3kMrr94dJ37A
View attachment 111599

Once we leave the Campground we will head East on Rd-306 towards Buena Vista.
We will turn South on US-Hwy 24
When we pass Johnson Village we will continue south (the road becomes US-Hwy 285 here) until we reach Poncha Springs.
Here we will turn West on US-Hwy 50 and start heading up Monarch Pass.
Almost to the Top we will turn Right onto Rd-237 (Old Monarch Pass Rd). This is where the Dirt starts for this Ride.
We will make a quick stop at "Old Monarch Pass", before heading down the other side.

View attachment 111600

This first section is really easy.
The Dirt Road is wide and level as we head down the Pass. There are a bunch of easy switchbacks, and you will catch glimpses down into the Valley below, but this entire section is in the Trees and not exposed at all.

Once we reach the bottom we take a sharp right turn onto Rd-888 and will be heading North towards the small town of White Pine.
We will make a stop at the old White Pine Cemetery and take a break to wander around for a bit.

View attachment 111601

From here we can take the short Ride into "Downtown" White Pine.
There's not much Old West history left to see here, as most of the properties are all more modern Summer-Cabins.
https://www.coloradocentralmagazine.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-white-pine-colorado/

We will ride back the way we came on Rd-888 until we veer off to the right on Rd-887.
This road remains Dirt as we ride West over Black Sage Pass through the Trees.
The Pass is short and we emerge into some Ranch-Lands as we connect briefly with Rd-774A, and then turn North on Rd-763
We'll continue up the Gulch for a short Ride. We will make a quick stop at the Site of the former Town of Bowerman.
https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ghost-towns/bowerman/
View attachment 111602
There is only the remains of one structure left here, but apparently it's for sale if anyone's interested?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/325727857526

From here we continue in a northerly direction up over Waunita Pass, and down the other side to the Town of Pitkin.
The dirt roads in this section are all easy, with maybe some potholes here and there. There are switchbacks going up and down the short Passes, but they are all wide and not challenging at all.
The Passes in this first section of the Day are all in the Trees, and not exposed at all.

We will stop for Lunch at the "Stumbling Moose Bar and Grill"
https://www.checkle.com/biz/stumbling-moose-lodge-bar-and-grill-pitkin/menu?id=a71df4d3-40e5-4439-a01e-b265dcaaf250&lightbox=0

View attachment 111603

Here's the GPX file for the Day's first section:
Stay Tuned for the rest!

If a sub-group was feeling extra spicy, the alternative route back to camp over Cumberland Pass (Easy) and Tincup Pass (Hard) could be an option. It's been a few years since I was over Tincup, but it's on the extreme edge of what I want to take a big ADV over. For reference, it used to be a Hard/Expert Alt section of the COBDR, but as the trail degraded over time, they eventually removed it from the COBDR entirely.

Depending on the elevation of Mirror Lake, it can make crossing the boulder field extra exciting.


And you would need to feel very comfortable traversing rough and rocky sections. Thankfully, these sections are relatively short.

 

[SkunkWorks]

If I was on a small bike I would ride Tincup Pass.
There's no way I would attempt it on the S10 though............

Right now the plan is to ride Cumberland through Tincup and out through Taylor Park-Cottonwood Pass.
I'll be posting this later today.
(Google "My Maps" currently won't let me route over Cottonwood though, as it's still closed. It's forcing to go back around over Monarch)

 

[blitz11]

Hmmmmmm - this is looking better every day. i have a black hills dirtbike trip 13-20 July, so i have to see if i can fit this in. I'd probably bring the tenere 700 instead of the 1200, but i'll keep watching this to help decide.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Here is the Map of Sunday's 3rd section:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FusMtnjvsenxpitJA


We'll ride back the way we came on Rd-839, past the Water Tanks and back to the junction with Rd-765 at the former site of Quartz.
Here we will turn right and head north, starting up the road up Cumberland Pass.*

* I will give a slight cautionary Notice about this Road:
It is "Bumpy".
There is absolutely nothing difficult about this section at all..............The road is very wide, level, and not even very steep.
It is however covered from edge to edge with very small embedded rocks.........They are not of a size that is large enough to toss the bike around, or make you lose control.
This road is an easy dirt-road, it is just bumpy.............all the way to the top of the Pass, and most of the way down the other side.
Think of it as a cobblestone-road that's had a century of abuse, and is missing most of its cobblestones. Not dangerous............just bumpy!
Just wanted to make sure everyone is aware of this.

As we ride up the road to the Pass, when we get near the switchbacks towards the Top, we will stop at the site of the "Bon Ton Mine"
https://www.returntotimberline.com/bontonmine/

There are a few decaying structures that remain here.
We can wander around the cabins for a little bit.

The very first time I rode up Cumberland Pass (in the Fall of 2020) it was snowing as I neared the top.


Next we'll continue on up to the top of the Pass.
Make a short stop here for pictures and such.



After this we will continue down the north side, still on Rd-765 towards Tincup.
As we reach the bottom, we'll make a stop at the Tincup-Cemetery to have a look around.



After this we'll arrive in the Town of Tincup.
We can have a quick stop at the Town Hall for a few pictures.



The Towns of Pitkin and Tincup, although having a Mining History, are not "Ghost Towns" in the sense that they are still quite active and largely still occupied year-round.

Here is the GPX file for today's 3rd section.