In Clear Creek, mountain roads, multi-use trails, and reminders of the mining era sit side by side. When planning your trip, it’s worth choosing your main focus first: Would you like to experience a mountain road, spend time on trails, or explore railroad and mining history? The options also differ in whether a particular season, permitted use, or access restriction applies.
Mountain Roads and Alpine Scenery
The Guanella Pass Road climbs above the treeline and is suitable for regular passenger cars in summer. The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway gains more than 7,000 feet in elevation over 28 miles and reaches 14,130 feet. The route passes through alpine habitats with wildflowers, pikas, marmots, mountain goats, and alpine lakes. If you’re planning a scenic drive, these two routes offer different experiences: the seasonal accessibility of Guanella Pass Road and the Scenic Byway’s significant elevation gain.
Trails for Different Activities
Clear Creek County has more than 100 miles of multi-use trails. Use is more specifically designated at some locations: Floyd Hill Open Space has a non-motorized trail network for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Sluice is designated there as a one-way, downhill mountain bike trail. This distinction is more important when choosing a suitable route than assuming all trails are intended for the same activities.
Trail surfaces and facilities also vary. At Oxbow Open Space, a concrete path runs along Clear Creek, with designated access points for fishing. Lawson White Water Park has accessible river access and developed boating facilities for launching boats. At Alvarado Open Space Park, developed beginner trails wind around a pond and through a mature cottonwood forest.
At Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, some trails are designated for hiking only, others for mountain biking only, and others for both uses. Of a planned trail network totaling 28 miles, 12 miles are open. Access is completely prohibited from January 1 through March 31 to protect bighorn sheep habitat. Check this access restriction before planning a visit. For a different kind of outing, the paved Bakerville Loveland Trail is a five-mile, one-way route from Bakerville to the Loveland Valley Ski Area.
Mining and Railroad History
The Georgetown Loop Railroad was completed in 1884 as a three-foot narrow-gauge railway and was considered an engineering marvel for its time. During the season, departures are available from Silver Plume Depot and Devil’s Gate Station in Georgetown. If you’d like to plan your trip around a ride, check the schedule for the days in question. The Lebanon Mine Tour offers a different perspective on mining: it takes visitors 500 feet into a former operating silver mine, established in the 1870s. Gold panning is included with every ticket for the Phoenix Gold Mine Tour.
The Hamill House was built between 1867 and 1879 and is the centerpiece of the Georgetown and Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District. The Hotel de Paris Museum displays more than 5,000 original items from the property in historic rooms. The George Rowe Museum, located in Silver Plume’s former school, offers a glimpse into daily life in the 1900s. Silverdale offers an extensive multi-use trail network on the site of the former community. The Argentine Central Railroad Grade is a remnant of the former mining railway from Silver Plume to Pavilion Point and is used for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing.
Getting Around and Choosing Accommodation
When choosing accommodation, you can start by considering which of these interests will shape your trip: mountain roads, trails, or historic sites. The free Clear Creek County Roundabout public transit service operates within the county and to the Evergreen and Bergen Park area. The service stops in Silver Plume, Georgetown, Empire, Lawson, Dumont, and Idaho Springs. For specific trips, it’s a good idea to check the schedule.
Indian Hot Springs also offers a distinct focus for an outing: its facilities include an indoor hot spring pool, cave baths, a mud area, private baths, and outdoor hot tubs. When planning your trip, you can weigh time spent outdoors, cultural history, and a visit to the hot springs without trying to fit every activity into the same day.
Explore more destinations: Silver Plume, Gerogetown, Idaho Springs, Douglas, Gilpin County, Rio Grande County, Pitkin, Weld.
For the broader travel overview: Colorado.
