Trail Overview
This route was previously part of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western rail grade and now provides an easy drive through the forested landscape surrounding Leadville. The road is a wide, well-maintained gravel surface with only small scattered rocks and gentle grades throughout. Pine and aspen trees line much of the route, with rocky embankments and cuts along the sides showing where the former railroad grade was constructed through the terrain. In several areas, the elevated and built-up nature of the old rail bed is still clearly visible. A few homes are located along the route, so please be respectful of property owners and keep noise to a minimum. The road eventually ends at the Mineral Belt Trail, requiring vehicles to turn around and return the same way they entered.
Difficulty
The route follows a wide, well-maintained gravel surface with only small, scattered rocks and gentle grades. There are no significant ruts, ledges, washouts, or technical sections, making the route suitable for most vehicles under normal dry 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.
