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Summit County Bike Trails: Mayflower Gulch

Summit Daily news staff

Just a few minutes beyond Copper Mountain Resort — following Highway 91 toward Leadville — Mayflower Gulch is a great off-the-beaten-path 4×4 road that’s really not that far off the beaten path, but rarely busy with foot traffic. A relatively well-maintained dirt road accesses an impressive above-tree-line mountain cirque dotted with the remains of old mining cabins, relics from the old Boston Mine camp site. When hit at the right time of year wildflowers dot the above-tree-line meadow. This route also makes for a great short hike. From the trailhead it’s only about 2 miles to reach the large above-tree-line meadow where most of the mining remains are located. While it’s a short hike, the trail does climb substantially to reach tree line.

Know Before You Go: Respect all private property at the beginning and end of this ride. Most historic buildings are private and fragile; please view them from a distance. Some of this ride is above timberline; be prepared for rapidly changing weather. Off-road vehicles occasionally use this road to access the top of the gulch.

Parking: Drive west on I-70, taking exit 195 for Copper Mountain. Drive toward Leadville on Highway 91 for 5.8 miles. Park on the left in a large parking area. The trailhead is located on the right side of the gulch.



Description: Follow the dirt road that starts at the end of the parking lot. Take the right fork at a junction and begin a steady climb along the right side of the gulch. At about 2.3 miles — near timberline — the road comes to a fork. On the right it climbs steeply to a ridge and dead-ends. Continue straight, pass through a gate and ride past the remaining cabins of the historic Boston Mine camp site. The road climbs toward a spectacular natural amphitheater, veers left and reaches another gate marking private property. Turn around here and return as you came.

For more trails, pick up a copy of our free Explore Summit County Bike Guide or online at http://www.exploresummit.com.


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