Trail Overview
Homestake Road is a wide, well-maintained dirt and gravel route traveling through the mountain valley southwest of Red Cliff. The road follows a mostly smooth, hard-packed surface through dense pine and aspen forests, open meadows, and alongside rocky hillsides with views of the surrounding mountains. Occasional washboard, loose gravel, and small potholes may be encountered, but there are no significant obstacles along the main route. Historically, this corridor was used as a stagecoach route during the mining boom of the 1880s, providing access toward Gold Park and Holy Cross City. Today, the road provides access to numerous recreational opportunities, including designated dispersed campsites, Gold Park Campground, hiking trails, fishing areas, and connecting OHV routes. The wide roadway and generally mild grades make this an easy scenic route suitable for most vehicles.
Difficulty
The route consists of a wide, well-maintained, hard-packed dirt and gravel surface with mild grades. Occasional washboard, loose gravel, and small potholes may be present, but there are no significant obstacles or technical sections.
History
This area borders the Holy Cross Wilderness, a rugged mountain landscape named for Mount of the Holy Cross and its distinctive cross-shaped snowfield. The mountain became a well-known symbol of the American West during the late 1800s after photographs and paintings brought national attention to the area. The surrounding mountains also have connections to Colorado's mining and early transportation history, with old roads, trails, and remnants of past activity found outside the wilderness boundary. The Holy Cross Wilderness was federally designated in 1980 and today protects more than 120,000 acres of high-elevation forests, alpine terrain, lakes, streams, and mountain peaks. Motorized travel is prohibited within the designated wilderness, making it important to remain on legal routes along its boundaries.
