Trail Overview

South Mosquito Road is the other route below Mosquito Pass to the London Mine, versus the New London Mine on the better-known Mosquito Pass. Numerous other named mines are in the basin. The road is open only one day per year (the last Sunday in July) for spectators to view the Fairplay Burro Days Pack Burro Race, as the majority of it lies within private property. There are numerous mining structures and new mining construction for cleanup and reclamation work, which MineWater LLC is performing. The reclamation company has improved this road, which is in excellent shape in most areas. However, it is no longer possible to connect it with Mosquito Pass Road at the top or reach Mosquito Pass.

Photos of South Mosquito Road FS 696

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Difficulty

Parts of the road are greatly improved to accommodate large mining trucks and are very wide. Other parts are 1 lane and less improved, except in areas where drainage was managed.

History

The London Mine was one of the highest producing gold mines in Colorado history. Active mining occurred from 1874 to the 1940s, however, limited mining activity took place until its closure in1991. The road has been improved by the property owner Minewater, to assist in groundwater cleanup and recovery with the sale of water rights owned by the City of Aurora. The road closed to the public in 2016.

Technical Rating

Angeletha Holst

Aug 16, 2025

Open

There is a large commercial gate with clear signs that state privet property of London mine with no trespassing signs as well

Joshua Bartels

Jun 28, 2025

Open

The correct date for the Burro Days race and one day opening is July 27th (Sunday) this year vs. Saturday.

Joshua Bartels

Jun 24, 2025

Open

While this route is still listed as open on the MVMU, Minewater has it closed to public access year round for their work on tailings and water rights. They do however open it one day per year during Fairplay Burro days to watch the race, which happens to be 07/28/2025. Please be mindful of the racers and their burros and stay off the road when they are racing.

Ron Hart

Jun 20, 2025

Open

Doesn’t look like a seasonal or only open on weekends kind of road as reported last year, but it’s a FS road, so how can it be private property?

Benjamin Fangmeier

Aug 26, 2024

Open

Trail is only open Saturday-Sunday as it crosses private active mine land.