Fairplay, Colorado

The historic gold mining town of Fair Play was established in 1859 at the junction of Beaver Creek and the South Platte River. Fair Paly was rechristened as South Park City in 1869, then changed back to Fairplay (one word) in 1874. The name is said to have come from the prospectors in 1859 who wanted the atmosphere of their settlement to contrast with what they viewed as greediness of the nearby mining settlements. According to local legend, one leader among the miners asserted that "in this camp we shall have fair play." Fairplay is located at an elevation of 9,953 feet. The town is the fifth-highest incorporated place in the State of Colorado. 

Middlefork RV Park

First flight

Hikers climbing Georgia Peak 

Afternoon hail storm. Lunch in the Jeeps.

We pulled over to check the map and got surrounded by side by sides

More of the gang has arrived

Red Cone

Elevation 12,811 feet

Only 48 degrees on top of Red Cone

Starting up Radical Hill

A little tippy

Dave spotting Jen around a narrow spot

Dave and Lisa didn't want to do Red Cone or Radical Hill so they went around and met us at top of Radical.  Lisa was able to take pictures of us coming us.

Marmot AKA Whistle pig

S.O.B. Hill

Mosquito Pass

Elevation 13,185 feet

Turning off on Birdseye Gulch

Went into Leadville for lunch and returned to Fairplay via Weston Pass

Large beaver dam

Dome home with lots of dome greenhouses on County Road 12 out of Alma

Paris Mill

Once an important site for processing gold ore, the mill had ariel tramway connections to the Hungry Five Mine on Loveland Mountain and the Paris Mine on Mount Bross.  These mines were the richest strikes in the Alma mining District, producing gold and silver ore for decades.

The Hungry Five Mine near the top of Loveland Mountain still clings precariously to the cliff.

More mining ruins on the cliff

Established in 1964 the Bristlecone Pine Scenic Area protects an unusual stand of wind-sculpted bristlecone pine trees. Growing at 11,700 feet, some trees are over 4,600 years old.

Stumps are all that remain of many of these trees that were cut for mining timber in the late 1800's

We were surprised to see snow inside at Moose Mine.  How does that happen?

I guess the wind blows it in

Cameron Amphitheatre just below Mount Lincoln, elevation 14,293

Hikers on top of Mount Lincoln

Top two in our lunch spots 

Mount Bross - elevation 14,178 feet

Sitting in the clouds

Morning Star Mine

At most site we see old bed frames but this was out first stove

On our route back down we crossed through another section of Bristlecones 

Wise Mountain trail

Looks like the Mountain goats have been rubbing off their old hair in the trees 

Wise Mountain - Elevation 12,034

This cabin on Wise Mountain was built in 1878 and used by the Wise Mountain Silver Mining Claim.

Looks like Mountain goats. I hope they are still there when we get there.

Lunch spot - Our lunch got cut a little short due to the rain

The Berry Home 1869

Look who we found

West side of Red Cone Mountain

China Wall trails

Box Canyon

Tarryall Creek

Another afternoon hail storm

Nice mud pattern

Tarryall Waterfall

The construction of the Tarryall Dam began in 1929 and finished in 1931. It sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level.

Magnolia Mill

Our first thought was you gotta be kidding me.  It took him a little longer on the obstacles but he made it all the way.

The trail to Wheeler Lake is very narrow but not one way.  You need to coordinate directional travel with others 4 wheelers using your radio.

Flopper

V-Notch

Bowling Ball Hill

Wheeler Lake

We paired up a few small groups.  Everyone was very nice and helpful.  We all stayed together for the decent as well.

Heading back down

V-Notch

The Flopper

Montgomery Reservoir

Bunny eating our neighbor's flowers

Lunch with Per & Susanne at Zuccaro's Kitchen in Hartsel, CO

On our drive back to Fairplay we saw 2 badgers cross the road in front of us. Although they don't move that fast we didn't get a picture. (picture courtesy of Google) It took us awhile to figure out what we were seeing moving so low to the ground.  This was our first badger sighting. So cool.