In August 2018 we took a trip out to the Rocky Mountains to take in some ghost towns and history of Colorado.  

It's been a while since we've explored the Centennial State, and as usual, it didn't disappoint.

Hartsel, CO - Rocky Mountain SunsetWe caught this sunset from a friends house between Hartsel and Buena Vista Colorado. What a view! Photo by Dave Alexander, August 2018.

We started the journey through parts of the Texas Panhandle to update our history along Route 66, including Conway Texas, a spot in the road that began as a small sheep and ranching community back in the 1800s.  Read more about Conway - Home of the Bug Ranch HERE. 

Conway, TX - Old CarPhoto by Dave Alexander, 2018. See all our stories of Texas Route 66 HERE.

As we made our way through Northeast New Mexico, Folsom provided some opportunity for history and picturesque views. 

Folsom, NM - Hotel SignPhoto by Dave Alexander. Be sure to see our updated Northeast New Mexico Photo Galleries

On to Colorado, we stopped at the ghost town of Ludlow and the Ludlow Massacre Monument, a tribute to those who lost their lives during the Colorado Coalfield War. 

Ludlow, CO - TownsiteLudlow, Colorado Townsite by Dave Alexander, 2018.

Read about Ludlow HERE. 

See our Ludlow area gallery HERE. 

We made our way to a friends private cabin between Hartsel and Buena Vista Colorado, about 70 miles west of Colorado Springs where we would spend the next few days exploring. 

Clear Creek Canyon, north of Hartsel around Clear Creek Reservoir is home to several "ghost towns" from the regions mining heydays.  

Beaver City

Beaver, CO - 1880 CabinOne of only two structures that remain in the ghost town of Beaver, Colorado in Clear Creek Canyon. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Vicksburg

Vicksburg CO - Fragile Wagon"Please just look, I'm old and Fragile" at the Vicksburg Museum. Photo by Dave Alexander.

Rockdale-Silverdale

Rockdale, CO - Crescent Mining CampNear the ghost town of Rockdale, the Crescent Mining Camp features restored cabins, some from the 1880's, in Clear Creek Canyon. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Winfield

Winfield, CO - School MuseumThe Winfield School is now a Museum. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. Read more about the Ghosts of Clear Creek Canyon HERE. 

See our Clearcreek Canyon Ghosts Gallery HERE. 

In southern Park County Colorado, about 33 miles north of Canon City, just off Highway 9, Guffey is a ghost town with a twist of quirkiness, making for a fun visit.

Guffey, CO - Skeleton StagecoachSkeleton stagecoach in Guffey, Colorado. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. Read Guffey Colorado - Quirky Mining Town

See our Guffey Gallery

Sitting on the side of Battle Mountain about 12 miles southeast of Avon, Colorado is the old company town of Gilman. The now-abandoned town was originally founded in 1886 by miners searching for silver, but later became a center of lead and zinc mining.
 

Gilman, CO - Company HousingGilman, Colorado company houses by Dave Alexander, 2018.

Read about Gilman HERE

See our Gilman-Red Cliff gallery HERE

It wasn't all ghost town adventures though. We made our way to Canon City to experience Skyline Drive. 

Canon City, CO - Skyline DriveSkyline Drive in Canon City, Colorado. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. Read about this thrilling 2.6mile road that provides unparalleled views of the area and a bit of adventure dating back to 1905 in our article Canon City Skyline Drive. 

There's much more about this area that we've written about before. 

See additional articles 

Cripple Creek - World's Greatest Gold Camp

Victor - City of Mines

Buckskin Joe - Gone but not Forgotten

St Elmo - Best Preserved Ghost Town

Leadville - Cloud City USA

On our way home, we stopped at the oddity that is the Genoa Wonder Tower

Genoa, CO - Wonder Tower Property 2018 Read about Genoa, Colorado and the roadside attraction Genoa Wonder Tower. 

Also see:

Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Colorado

Colorado - The Centennial State