Trail Overview
Iron Chest Mine is a challenging 2.7-mile out-and-back trail near St. Elmo, Colorado, that caters to highly experienced off-roaders looking to test their vehicles and driving skills against a relentless tire-shredding boulder garden. The route begins with an immediate unforgiving section of large, loose rocks and boulders that requires high ground clearance, skid plates and at least one locker. After surviving this brutal initial climb the trail transitions into a narrow, rocky shelf road with steep drop-offs and occasional washouts as it ascends from 10,066 feet to nearly 11,955 feet. Drivers must negotiate a series of tight switchbacks and sustain a steep average gradient on unpaved rocky surfaces where tire placement is absolutely critical.
Climbing nearly 1,900 feet over its short length, the trail demands careful attention to seasonality as heavy snowpack routinely blocks the upper shelf road well into late July. At the top, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Sawatch Range and the impressive, well-preserved ruins of the historic Iron Chest Mine. Explorers can view a massive 100-year-old tram house, wooden towers, and a giant iron pulley lying on the ground, while the 1886 Ghost House cabin awaits via a short 250-yard hike near the start of the trail. To keep this historic route open, visitors must obey all posted signs, stay on designated tracks, and refrain from entering any of the fragile structures.
Difficulty
Difficult. A short stretch of boulders at the beginning of the trail is brutal. After that, the trail continues as a narrow shelf road, often with small washouts. Snow can block trail late July.
History
The historic structures at the Iron Chest Mine stand at nearly 12,000 feet in elevation and are over a century old. A massive iron pulley remains on the ground near the large tram house, with wooden tram towers tracing a path down the mountainside. Just over the ridge sits the Mary Murphy Mine, accessible via Pomeroy Lakes (Trail #41). Near the beginning of the trail, a short 250-yard hike leads to the historic Ghost House, a cabin constructed in 1886 featuring unique roof shingles crafted from flattened tin cans.
Access Description
The trail is subject to seasonal snow closures, with heavy snowpack often blocking the upper sections until late July. Visitors must respect all posted signs, stay on the designated trail, and strictly refrain from entering any of the historic mining structures or cabins to help preserve these sites and ensure continued public access.
