Clear Creek: Mountain Roads, Trails and Mining History

Clear Creek brings together high-elevation roads, alpine habitats, multi-use trails, and traces of mining and railroad history. For families weighing different interests, the options range from scenic drives and outdoor activities to museums and historic sites. When looking for a vacation rental, it’s worth first considering which of these experiences should shape your trip most.

Mountain Roads and Alpine Habitats

Guanella Pass Road climbs above the tree line and is driveable in a standard passenger car in summer. The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway offers a different measure of high-altitude driving: over 28 miles, the route climbs more than 7,000 feet and reaches an elevation of 14,130 feet. It passes through alpine habitats with wildflowers, pikas, marmots, mountain goats, and alpine lakes. The two roads can be distinguished by specific features: Guanella Pass Road is described as a summer drive for a standard passenger car, while the byway’s elevation figures illustrate its substantial climb.

Trails with Different Uses

Clear Creek County has more than 100 miles of multi-use trails. At Floyd Hill Open Space, the non-motorized trail network includes hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Sluice is a downhill mountain bike trail there with one-way traffic. At Oxbow Open Space, a concrete trail runs along Clear Creek; designated access points allow fishing. Lawson White Water Park offers accessible river access and developed boat facilities for launching boats.

Alvarado Open Space Park offers a different experience: developed beginner trails wind around a pond and through a mature cottonwood forest. At Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, some trails are designated for hiking only, others for mountain biking only, and others for both uses. Of a planned trail network totaling 28 miles, 12 miles are open. To protect bighorn sheep habitat, access is completely prohibited from January 1 through March 31. This seasonal closure is part of planning a visit; trail use designations also vary by route.

Railroads, Mining and Local History

The Georgetown Loop Railroad was completed in 1884 as a narrow-gauge railway with a three-foot track gauge, and was considered an engineering marvel for its time. During the season, departures are available from Silver Plume Depot and Devil’s Gate Station in Georgetown. The Lebanon Mine Tour offers a glimpse into historic silver mining: it takes visitors 500 feet into a former silver mine tunnel, dug in the 1870s. Gold panning is included with every ticket for the Phoenix Gold Mine Tour.

History is also reflected in the area’s homes and museums. Hamill House was built between 1867 and 1879 and is the centerpiece of the Georgetown and Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District. The Hotel de Paris Museum displays more than 5,000 original objects from the property in historic rooms. The George Rowe Museum is located in Silver Plume’s former school and offers a glimpse into everyday life in the 1900s. The site of the former town of Silverdale has an extensive multi-use trail network.

Choosing the Right Base

The Clear Creek County Roundabout is a free public transportation service within the county and in the Evergreen and Bergen Park area. It serves Silver Plume, Georgetown, Empire, Lawson, Dumont, and Idaho Springs. When choosing a vacation rental, it can help to compare your preferred focus for the trip with the places served. Those primarily interested in mountain roads and alpine scenery will have different priorities from visitors who want to focus on museums, mining history, or specific trail uses. This can help you tailor your accommodation search to the experiences that matter for your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Silver Plume, Gerogetown, Idaho Springs, Montezuma County, Summit, Broomfield, Larimer, Archuleta.

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