Twin Lakes & Leadville, Colorado

After seeing pictures and hearing about the Bengal Tiger mine we were very disappointed that we were not able to visit the site on Saturday due to the Ultra Marathon race that was taking place. On our way to Leadville Sunday morning we decided we had time to make it happen.  We parked at Twin Lakes, had lunch, disconnected the jeep and off we went.  We were not disappointed.

This is the most intact mill we have seen

Mount Elbert Forebay to the left and Twin Lakes to the right

Tram house

We finished with lunch just in time

Interlaken Hotel & Resort

Interlaken was once one of the most attractive tourist resorts in Colorado. The hotel complex was started in 1879 in 1883. The resort became a popular summer retreat for those that rode the train to a stop nearby and then took a short ride by stage or carriage to the south side of Twin Lakes. The resort was a popular stop for those on the way over Independence pass or nearby mining communities.

The Interlaken Hotel and resort boasted some of the best facilities for the time. The hotel and hotel annex provided comfortable rooms with a view of the forest and lakes. The resort boasted a log tavern, pool hall, and sheds to accommodate guests and their horses. One notable building was a unique six-sided privy with a separate room and door for each side reserved for rooms in the hotel. Additional structures included a 16 stall horse barn with tack room, storage, and hay loft; another barn for milk cows, chickens, and additional storage; ice house, granaries, and laundry.

Staying at the Elks Lodge in Leadville

Welcome To The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon

Holy Cross City Jeep Road is one of the more difficult hardcore roads in the state, offering nonstop challenges. Set high in the northern Sawatch Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, Holy Cross City Jeep Road is 3.8 miles (one way) long, climbing up to Holy Cross City and Cleveland Lake, ending at an elevation of 11,870 feet above the sea level. At this elevation it’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.  The higher parts of the trail are generally covered with snow from late November through mid-July.

The trail follows numerous remnants of Colorado's mining heritage. It was built in 1883 and provides vistas of the Mount of the Holy Cross. At the top of the trail is the old Holy Cross City mining town with building remains and rusting mining equipment. It is an old mining trail that gold miners built and used until 1883 when the mines on Mt. Holy Cross played out. The trail also provides amazing scenery and fantastic historical highlights. It was once a major mining camp, complete with two stamp mills, a number of boarding houses, a school, a post office, a hotel, two general stores, and, at its peak, 300 residents.

This sign cautions that vehicle damage is likely beyond this point.

Dave spotting Chris up the obstacle.  The group in front of us all had to winch up.  Chris made it with a little adjusting.

Dave made it up without the winch on the first try.

He was pretty happy with himself.  Look at that smile.

The group of built jeeps behind us said they were just going to take the same line the "Little White TJ" did.

The two biggest obstacles are French Creek and Cleveland Rock. At French Creek you make a long, shallow stream crossing, then, with wet tires, you have to negotiate a section of large boulders and tire-eating holes. As to not have jeeps parked in French Creek they ask that you wait here until the jeep in front of you has cleared the creek and negotiated the large boulders. They also ask that after 3 unsuccessful attempts you winch yourself or get towed out.

The jeep on the left in going around his buddy on the right who has a broken pitman arm.

It's now raining, it going to take some time for them to get the pitman arm replaced and the trail open.  We loan them our pitman puller and eat a late lunch.  While eating we weighed our options and decide we will turn around and head back down without making it all the way to the Historic city and Cleveland Rock.  It was the right decision as we had rain, thunder and lightening all the way back down. 

Cleveland Rock is a giant boulder with two possible lines that are not easy either way you look at it.  Something to look forward to next time.