The Marvelous 6-Mile Trail In Colorado Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Ghost Town
Annie
Author
Do you enjoy hikes with incredible pay-offs? Then you have come to the right place, as Colorado has many trails that lead to everything from waterfalls to scenic overlooks to ghost towns! Fortunately, some of the coolest trails in Colorado are off the beaten path and far from the crowds, making for perfect day trip destinations. If the latter caught your attention, read on as we explore this little-known, 6-mile ghost town hike in Colorado:
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Have you ever attempted this ghost town hike in Colorado? Do you have any tips or fun side trips to make the Lulu City hike even better?
If you’re a big fan of Colorado’s ghost towns, we have a whole list of historic ghost towns for you to admire. Or, if you prefer trails with epic scenery, here are 15 of the best hikes in Colorado.
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Ghost Town Hike In Colorado
How many ghost towns does Colorado have?
Like many western states that were hit by the Gold Rush of the 1800s, Colorado has plenty of historic communities to its credit. Colorado has over 1,500 ghost towns, but today only around 600 have visible remains. Nevertheless, that's still plenty to learn about and (respectfully) explore! Some of the most famous and well-preserved ghost towns in Colorado are:
- Crystal, CO: Crystal was established in 1880 as a mining camp, and was home to about 400 people at its height. It was deserted by the 1910s, but some of the structures, such as the mill and the Crystal River, remain intact. Crystal is famous for its picturesque location and the iconic Crystal Mill, which is one of the most photographed sites in Colorado. However, Crystal is not easy to reach, as it requires a four-wheel drive vehicle or a hike to access.
- Dearfield, CO: This town was founded in 1910 as an African American farming community and was part of the larger movement of black settlers in the West. It reached a population of over 700 people by the 1920s, but declined due to the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Finally, Dearfield was abandoned by the 1940s, but some of the buildings, such as the gas station, the diner, and the founder’s house, still exist.
- Gilman, CO: Gilman rose to prominence in 1886 as a copper mining town, and quickly grew to a population of over 1,000 people by the 1950s. It was abandoned relatively recently (in 1984), after the EPA declared it a Superfund site due to toxic pollution. Gilman is now a ghost town with over 200 buildings, including houses, shops, offices, and a hospital. However, Gilman is not open to the public, as it is private property and trespassing is prohibited.
- St. Elmo, CO: St. Elmo was founded in 1880 as a gold and silver mining camp, and reached a population of over 2,000 people at its peak. It was abandoned in the 1950s, but many of the original buildings, such as the general store, the hotel, and the schoolhouse, still stand today. St. Elmo is one of the most accessible and popular ghost towns in Colorado, and you can even rent a cabin or a room there.