Mining, specificly Gold mining, was the prime motivator in populating this area many years ago.
Our time off is spent driving along narrow, crooked mining roads that cling precariously to mountains.
Ghost towns, old mines and mills, as well as some restored residences, are real eye candy along our routes !
The air is a bit thinner and cooler here at our Summertime hideout, Columbine campground, 9200 feet up in the front range of the Rocky Mountains.
Nonetheless, a couple of sharpeyed geocacher’s spotted our travelbug hiding on the back of our campsite’s name board.
Steep and twisty, yet wonderfully beautiful, the road up to Guanella Pass, will constantly amaze as it is traversed.
Click photos for better view.
Guanella Campground is a marvelous primitive campground that can be above the clouds, as in this photo. Denver, the mile high city, is located down below the clouds in this photo.
The climb up to the pass reveals several nice lakes that generate power. Note the large power line tower in the background.
This series of pretty lakes has day use and picnic sites , located along the crooked climb up to the pass.
Restrooms and parking areas at trailheads, make access to the hiking trails quite handy.
Our days off from our campground management job are usually spent exploring our new assignment’s ranger district. We are in the Arapaho National Forest’s Clear Creek district.
This, our fourth year of full time RV’ing, is also filled with lots of sightseeing.
