Columbine Road

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Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Length:	1.4 miles
Highest Elevation:	8929 feet
Duration:	About 10 minutes
Shape of Trail:	Connector
Best Direction to Travel:	N/A
Nearest Town:	Central City
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Black Hawk
Official Road Name:	176.1
Management Agency:	Arapaho National Forest
District:	Clear Creek Ranger District

Highlights

In 1859, John Gregory discovered gold in a gulch near what became Central City, Colorado and the gold rush was on. Within a few months, the population grew to 10,000 people seeking their fortunes. The area around Central City, Colorado became known as "The Richest Square Mile on Earth." During the late 1800s to early 1900s millions (perhaps billions) of dollar's worth of gold and silver were extracted from the hills of Gilpin County. Columbine Road is the most popular, eastern entry point into the Yankee Hill network that is littered with dozens of offroad trails. This offroad trail is also the most direct route to the Columbine Campground.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( EASY )

Waypoints

1. Cemetery Trailhead (0 mi)

The trail starts across the street from the Boodle Mill, surrounded by a handful of old cemeteries.

Directions to Trailhead

Coming from Highway 119 - Head west on Black Hawk Street, otherwise known as Gregory Street, for half a mile. The street will transition into Lawrence Street. Continue through the town of Central City for another 6.5 miles as Lawrence Street becomes Eureka street. Take a left at Y intersection looking for the Boodle Mill. Approximately 50 yards later, the trail starts on your right at the next Y intersection. Coming from Interstate 70 - Take the Central City Parkway (exit 243) 12 miles into the town of Central City. Stay straight at the stop sign as the parkway becomes Spring Street. Go 1 block and stay straight at the following stop sign and stay on Spring Street. Go 1 more block and turn left, heading west on Lawrence Street. Continue on this street for 4 miles as Lawrence Street becomes Eureka street. Take a left at Y intersection looking for the Boodle Mill. Approximately 50 yards later, the trail starts on your right at the next Y intersection.

Camping

Improved

Trail Reviews (4)

Questions & Answers (0)

Writer Information

Ryan Boudreau

Mapping Crew - Colorado

Hi, I'm Ryan! I am a Colorado native and I've been wheeling since I was 16 years old. I grew up with a relentless passion for all things Jeep and off road related, and that passion has never died out. I am a member of the Mile-Hi Jeep Club, Patrol 16 Sasquatch Jeepers and currently own an '06 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (LJ) nicknamed "Minion". I am a huge supporter of Stay the Trail and Tread Lightly, and have participated and even been in charge of many trail restoration projects. I have been a trail leader several times for events such as All-4-Fun, ColoradoFest, Set Them Free, 14er Fest, and other. I am also the creator of the Unlimited LJ Adventure. My rig is built for extreme offroading, but I love to get my tires dirty on any kind of trail whether it's rock crawling or just scenic high Alpine drives. I've wheeled all over the country including Colorado, Utah, Kansas, the Carolinas, AZ, and California. I love a great adventure, and love even more to share those adventures with others. If you see the "minion" out on the trail, make sure to stop and say hello.

Central City, Colorado (Gilpin County)