Mineral County: Mining History, Trails and the Rio Grande

Mineral County combines the landscape along the upper Rio Grande with a distinctly shaped mining history. Creede is an important focal point for museums, theater, historic buildings and events. At the same time, extensive public lands, hiking trails, water activities and scenic drives make a variety of travel plans possible. Anyone looking for a vacation rental can therefore first decide whether culture, hiking, water activities or a combination of these should be the focus.

Trails, Wilderness and Views

Ninety-six percent of Mineral County consists of public lands and provides access to Forest Service trails. The Continental Divide Trail runs through the county. From River Hill, the two trailheads at Squaw Creek and Weminuche Creek lead into the Weminuche Wilderness and connect with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. For hikers, this opens up several clearly distinct landscape experiences, without implying any particular walking time or level of difficulty.

The East Bellows Trail provides hiking and horseback-riding access to the Wheeler Geologic Area. Another notable excursion is the 3.5-mile hike to Inspiration Point. From there, views extend across Creede, the historic mining district, the surrounding mountains and the Rio Grande River. A trail built by Mineral County south of Creede’s baseball field expands the options for cycling, hiking and jogging. These different formats help with planning your day: You can choose a longer landscape tour or plan an activity that is specifically also suitable for cycling or jogging.

Mining History and Culture in Creede

The Underground Mining Museum offers a self-guided walking tour lasting about 30 minutes, with an MP3 audio guide. In summer, guided tours are also available, explaining mining equipment and mining methods. The Bachelor-Commodore Mine Complex is significant because of its connection to a mining industry that helped promote the settlement of Creede and Mineral County.

This history can be experienced particularly vividly on the Bachelor Loop Historic Tour. The 17-mile self-guided drive passes through the historic mining district above Creede, by mine sites dating from the 1890s and abandoned ghost towns. The eastern route is intended for four-wheel-drive vehicles; at the same time, the entire Bachelor Loop can be traveled by bicycle. This allows the choice of transportation to be factored into your travel planning.

The Creede Historical Museum is located in the Old Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot next to Basham Park in the town center. Its collections include pioneer implements, gaming and gambling equipment, photographs, newspapers and other local artifacts. In the seven-block downtown area, historic buildings and names mark the former era of silver mining. The Creede Repertory Theatre was founded in 1966 and produces four plays in rotating repertory from May through September. There are also numerous music events and concerts.

Rio Grande, Reservoir and Events

Creede and Mineral County lie along the upper Rio Grande or border its headwaters. At the Rio Grande Reservoir Boating Site, there is a basic boat ramp and an access road to the reservoir. Motorboats are permitted there; fish are stocked during the summer months. On the Rio Grande, rafting and kayaking opportunities range from Class II to Class IV. Mountain Man operates rafting trips through the pool-drop rapids near Creede.

The events calendar also shapes the character of the area: The Headwaters Music Festival takes place every August in Creede and brings a series of bands to town over the weekend. Anyone choosing a vacation rental based on their desired itinerary can consider cultural events, water activities and hikes separately, then look for the right location within Mineral County. A focus on museums, downtown and theater calls for different considerations than a stay centered on the Bachelor Loop, the Rio Grande or the trails into the Wilderness.

More destinations: Ouray County, San Miguel, Kiowa, Rio Grande County, Broomfield, Alamosa County, Pueblo

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