By the town of Goldfield CO, we will be guiding you around the Vindicator Trail, a walk-through ghost town where the structures of the ore houses, hoist shafts, miner's cabins, and the houses of the managers still stand. We'll take a walk back in time where the land of sleepy cow pastures was turned into a dozen mining towns, to the miner's daily life struggle and their many dangers, to the area's involvement during the Labor Wars, to when the mines finally went bust in the 1930s and what life is like in the towns today. We'll also be discussing the area's life cycle in how it was before gold was discovered, to when it altered due to mines digging out the earth and, to how it changed again with new laws today to care for the environment while mining.
The trail will cover over 2 miles and some of it will be uphill. We’ll stop at the very top of the hill for a slight break. The tour will range from three to three and a half hours. Please plan accordingly and be ready for exercise. It's not meant for young children or those who have difficulty with mobility such as walkers or wheelchairs. For those with children, I recommend a minimum age limit of 9 years old. We're mostly looking at abandoned buildings and old mining roads, and if this is not their kind of thing, they're going to get bored easily.
If you’re visiting Colorado, your body may have issues adjusting to the altitude, as Goldfield is over 9,900 feet above sea level. So for some, the hike through the trail may feel straining. It’s best that you take your time and pace yourself. Wear comfortable shoes. The terrain also has little to no shade. Make sure you have your water with you, and that you have protective headgear from the sun; a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
*WEATHER CHANGE; should there be thundershowers that day, the event will be canceled. If it's just light drops, then we'll continue. Keep an eye out for the weather. If you join, we'll keep you posted with updates.
The parking lot to the Vindicator Valley Trailhead is SMALL, so spaces are limited. If you're coming with more than one person, best to come in the same vehicle.
Here's a time frame for driving depending on where you're coming from;
Cripple Creek; 15-20 mins
Woodland Park; 40-50 mins
Colorado Springs; 1 1/2 hours
Denver; 2 1/2 hours
Best to plan ahead and add 30 extra minutes in case of delays.
