Trail Overview
This small county road serves as part of the larger route leading into the Silver Kings Trail system and follows portions of the historic Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad grade. The route is generally narrow, with a mostly smooth dirt and gravel surface mixed with scattered loose rocks and occasional rougher sections. It winds along the mountainside through dense stands of pine, fir, and aspen, with several more open areas providing views across the surrounding mountains and historic mining landscape. Remnants of the area’s mining and railroad history can be seen throughout the route, including old mine workings, tailings, structures, and the St. Louis Tunnel. Grades are generally manageable, and while some sections are narrow along the hillside, there are no major technical obstacles along the route.
Difficulty
The route consists primarily of maintained dirt and gravel with scattered loose rocks and occasional mildly uneven sections. Grades are generally manageable, though portions of the route narrow while following the mountainside and historic railroad grade, requiring more careful tire placement. No major ledges, deep ruts, large rocks, or other technical obstacles are present under normal conditions.
History
Leadville's surrounding mountains are heavily connected to Colorado's mining history. Mining booms beginning in the 1860s transformed the area, with gold, silver, lead, zinc, molybdenum, and other minerals driving development over different periods. Many roads and routes throughout the mountains originated as access to mines, claims, settlements, and other industrial sites. Remnants of this history can still be found throughout the area, including mine workings, foundations, structures, and old transportation corridors. Leadville was also once home to the Unsinkable Molly Brown, who lived in the city during its mining boom and met and married J.J. Brown there. Doc Holliday also called Leadville home during the 1880s, spending time in the city's saloons and gambling halls during one of its most colorful periods. Leadville itself is recognized as a National Historic Landmark District.
