Mineral Belt Trail - Leadville, Colorado
Photos Of My Bike Ride On The 12-Mile Loop Around Leadville, CO - August 2, 2009
The Leadville Mineral Belt Trail is something the community of Leadville and greater Lake County can be very
proud of!
This 12-mile loop trail is very appropriate for walkers, joggers and bicyclists,
and even snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter.
Although "hardcore" mountain bikers would probably be
bored here, the Mineral Belt Trail is a good fit
for families or those seeking moderate ascents and descents among pine forests and
mountain scenery. The path also
travels into California Gulch and the Leadville mining district, with numerous markers about the area's history.
How To Get There: A good place to start is the intersection of Highway 24 and the trail
on the south side of Leadville.
If you are traveling on Highway 24 from Buena Vista,
the trail intersects with the highway 0.1 miles east of the Super 8 Motel. A dirt parking lot
is on the right.
On Sunday, I biked the entire loop that circles the town. I can't tell you how impressed I was with this trail!
It is creations like this that most certainly boost real estate prices and the quality of life
for people in this lofty town ... 10,200 feet above sea level! :)
-Steve
Buena Vista, Colorado
Twitter: @stevegarufi
Facebook: ColoradoGuy.com Fan Page
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The adventure begins ... |
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... but first I stopped to read these signs about Leadville's history.
(You can click any of the adjacent photos to see them at a larger size.) |
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I went counter-clockwise and experienced plenty of uphill. The forest became thicker as I travel onward. |
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One of many bicyclists I saw along the path. |
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No motorized vehicles allowed. You won't have to worry about experiencing "user conflict" with
snowmobiles or
cars. :) |
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An overlook with a view of Leadville. |
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More history about the area. |
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A nice photo of the trail with a mine tailing front and center in the forest. |
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California Gulch
I approached an area known as California Gulch. This was a bustling mining area
during the latter half of the 1800's when the West was full of outlaws. Not the sign with a photo of
the mining operation when it was fully running.
Now mining decimates the land all right, but don't show disrespect for mining too much. For example, so
many things with me on my journey exist because of mining:
My bike,
my sunglasses,
the zipper on my shirt, my camera, my keys and my vehicle, to name a few. :)
I do encourage you to check out the Mining Museum in Leadville if you're interested in learning more about mining.
I visited once with my parents in 2006 but didn't take any pictures, but this is not to say I didn't think it was fascinating!
Their web site: www.mininghalloffame.org. |
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One more shot as I crossed the creek bed inside California Gulch. |
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Being the high pointer that I am, I had to stop at the trail's highest point at 10,606 feet.
Not a shabby view of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive from this spot. :) |
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Onward I biked toward the historic Leadville mining district. |
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Uhhhhh ... the "no swimming" sign is not messing around.
The water was red! 88:o |
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A nice mountain view from the trail. See the teeny tiny patch of
snow above timberline? :) |
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More photos of the mining district. |
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Another historical marker about clashes between the mining owners and workers. |
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A self-portrait using the timer on my camera. An enjoyable morning! |
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The path crosses Highway 24 at Poplar St. on the north side of Leadville. |
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Then it travels along the west side of town through various neighborhoods.
Be aware of stop signs - you do not have the right of way when you cross roads. |
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And no matter where you go on this trail, there a good chance you
are not far away from a stunning view of Mt. Massive. Nice! |
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