Leadville: Ride 9 - Mineral Belt Trail
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Take a journey through the pages of history as you explore this absorbing and exquisite trail. Appropriate for everyone, this trail is both well planned and well built. Interpretive signs and plaques scattered throughout give one an unparalleled appreciation for the town's rich and diverse heritage.
As the plaque says, "Built in the Leadville spirit through the cooperation of many for the enjoyment of all."
As the plaque says, "Built in the Leadville spirit through the cooperation of many for the enjoyment of all."
Ride length: 11.6 miles
Ride type: loop (counter-clockwise)
Riding time: 1-2 hours
Surface: paved multi-use path
Elevations: start/end 10,200’; max 10,630’; min 9,910’
Total climbing: gain/loss 800’
Aerobic level: easy
Technical level: 1
Season: May through October
USGS Quadrangles: Leadville South, Leadville North
Ride type: loop (counter-clockwise)
Riding time: 1-2 hours
Surface: paved multi-use path
Elevations: start/end 10,200’; max 10,630’; min 9,910’
Total climbing: gain/loss 800’
Aerobic level: easy
Technical level: 1
Season: May through October
USGS Quadrangles: Leadville South, Leadville North
For the sake of convenience, this route description and elevation profile start in the center of town and proceed counter-clockwise. There are, however, several other trailheads and parking areas; choose the one that suits you best.
The trail itself is extremely well marked and a mileage log isn’t necessary. Having said that, it is highly suggested that you stop at the visitor center between 8th and 9th Sts. on Harrison Ave. to pick up an official map and guide to the trail before setting out on your ride.
While slightly more difficult than riding the loop clockwise, starting at the Ice Palace Park and riding counter-clockwise gives the route a nice flow. You’ll begin with a swift descent (southwest) through modern Leadville. After crossing US 24 at the southwest edge of town (approx. 1.6 miles), you’ll pass a parking area and trailhead, and then pass some historical buildings. Next, you’ll ascend into a peaceful, forested stretch that gives you a sense of what the area may have been like prior to development.
After passing the first shelter at the Leadville Overlook (approx. 5.6 miles), you’ll enter California Gulch (approx. 6.2 miles), the site of the area’s first major mining development. It was here that they first discovered placer gold in 1860. The adjoining camp, dubbed “Oro City,” drew more than 8,000 hopeful prospectors to a rough-and-tumble assortment of tents and shacks.
At approximately mile 7.2, pass another trailhead and parking area at CR 2. Pedaling the leg of trail between California Gulch to the Matchless Mine is like riding through a museum exhibit. The path weaves between interpretive signs, old mining carts, and heaps of mining waste tailings.
At the Matchless Mine (approx. 9.3 miles) just past E. 7th St./CR 3, Baby Doe Tabor’s last home, nothing more than a weather-beaten, one-room shack, still stands less than 100 feet from the trail. Nearly forty years after the repeal of the Sherman Silver Act in 1893, she froze to death in that hovel as she waited for the return of silver’s boom days.
The rest of the route is almost a coast all the way back to town. At the intersection of E. 12th and Alder Sts., the route runs down E. 12th St. for about 265 yards. You are less than 0.25 miles from the Ice Palace Park after crossing US 24 at the north end of town.
Options: if you are riding with small children, people not acclimatized to the altitude, or if bad weather rolls in, there are several shortcuts back to town: descend
CR 2/Hazel St. through California Gulch (at approx. 7.2 miles); descend CR 1/E. 5th St. (at approx 9.0 miles) at the bridge just north of the infamous red pond (no swimming!); or descend CR 3/E. 7th St. (at approx 9.3 miles) at the bridge just south of Tabor’s Matchless Mine.
The trail itself is extremely well marked and a mileage log isn’t necessary. Having said that, it is highly suggested that you stop at the visitor center between 8th and 9th Sts. on Harrison Ave. to pick up an official map and guide to the trail before setting out on your ride.
While slightly more difficult than riding the loop clockwise, starting at the Ice Palace Park and riding counter-clockwise gives the route a nice flow. You’ll begin with a swift descent (southwest) through modern Leadville. After crossing US 24 at the southwest edge of town (approx. 1.6 miles), you’ll pass a parking area and trailhead, and then pass some historical buildings. Next, you’ll ascend into a peaceful, forested stretch that gives you a sense of what the area may have been like prior to development.
After passing the first shelter at the Leadville Overlook (approx. 5.6 miles), you’ll enter California Gulch (approx. 6.2 miles), the site of the area’s first major mining development. It was here that they first discovered placer gold in 1860. The adjoining camp, dubbed “Oro City,” drew more than 8,000 hopeful prospectors to a rough-and-tumble assortment of tents and shacks.
At approximately mile 7.2, pass another trailhead and parking area at CR 2. Pedaling the leg of trail between California Gulch to the Matchless Mine is like riding through a museum exhibit. The path weaves between interpretive signs, old mining carts, and heaps of mining waste tailings.
At the Matchless Mine (approx. 9.3 miles) just past E. 7th St./CR 3, Baby Doe Tabor’s last home, nothing more than a weather-beaten, one-room shack, still stands less than 100 feet from the trail. Nearly forty years after the repeal of the Sherman Silver Act in 1893, she froze to death in that hovel as she waited for the return of silver’s boom days.
The rest of the route is almost a coast all the way back to town. At the intersection of E. 12th and Alder Sts., the route runs down E. 12th St. for about 265 yards. You are less than 0.25 miles from the Ice Palace Park after crossing US 24 at the north end of town.
Options: if you are riding with small children, people not acclimatized to the altitude, or if bad weather rolls in, there are several shortcuts back to town: descend
CR 2/Hazel St. through California Gulch (at approx. 7.2 miles); descend CR 1/E. 5th St. (at approx 9.0 miles) at the bridge just north of the infamous red pond (no swimming!); or descend CR 3/E. 7th St. (at approx 9.3 miles) at the bridge just south of Tabor’s Matchless Mine.