The Town of Gold Hill, Colorado

I was all set to write about Boulder, Colorado for the local hometown topic: Home of my alma mater CU, boasting over 300 restaurants, more used book stores per capita than any other US city, 30 art galleries, 4 museums, a wonderful farmer’s market, the fabulous brand new 29^th Street Mall, not to mention the 300 sunny days a year….. Of course everyone knows about the skiing, climbing, kayacking, snowshoeing, paragliding, cycling side of Boulder, but I wanted to showcase the wonderfully diverse tapestry that makes Boulder truly unique.  But I’m not gonna!……

Because it snowed! 

Almost 2 feet in fact! My husband & I took a snow day, (since we couldn’t get our car up the drive), and it was our 1/2 mile snowshoe hike into "town" that gently reminded me that I don’t actually live in Boulder; but that I, along with approximately 199 others, call the quaint little mining town of Gold Hill home!

So welcome to my town! Gold Hill, nestled at 8,300 feet above sea level and 3,000 feet above Boulder, and at 10 miles west of Boulder it still feels like going back 100 years!

Let me show you around and feel free to stay as long as you like!  Why I almost forgot, I should tell you how to get here first! 

You take Lefthand Canyon up from Boulder for 8 miles, and take a left to go 1 mile up Lick Skillet, which just so happens to be the steepest county road in the ENTIRE United States!  When you get to the top, you’ll find yourself at the cross-roads situated at the south end of town. 

Across the street you’ll see the Bluebird Lodge (est. 1872), which hosts murder mysteries every weekend all summer long.  Next door is the Gold Hill Inn, owned and operated by the Finn family for over 40 years.  They serve an award winning 6-course meal and host live music every Friday night. (Plus a new a-la-carte menu in the bar on Sunays with live Jazz!) And don't miss their unmissable foot-stompin', fun-luvin, live music festivals every Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day!

Driving up through the old town you’ll see plenty of rustic log cabins, all protected by the historic register, an old fire truck, and several dogs roaming around.  In fact, as you park up to go into the Gold Hill General Store you’ll probably notice the sign stuck to the mailboxes that states:               

       OLD DOG
    YOUNG DOG
Several Stupid Dogs
Please Drive Slowly!

You’ll get more of a taste for the local humor when you mosey into the store and see the t-shirts they have for sale with a picture of the store on the front and the town’s motto below: “Carpe Mañana”. 

Enjoy a nice lunch, coffee or chai with your pastry (sitting in front of the fire on cold days), and take advantage of the free wifi to check your e-mail and post your tweets. Or just give in to the pull of the place to slow down and disconnect. Take your time chatting to the locals (Edie's a hoot), reading the abundance of historical and anecdotal literature lying around, and browse postcards & various offerings by local artists.

If you want to work off those pastries, take advantage of the miles of local trails, ask about how to get to Rocky Point or the Stone Circle for breathtaking Divide views. Of course the Colorado Mountain Ranch, only 1/2 mile west of town, offers private horseback riding tours, another great way to take in the surrounding beauty.

If you're only up for a short walk, head west to the edge of town where you’ll often see the children involved in outdoor activities at our beloved and truly unique 2-room Schoolhouse.  A little known fact is that the Gold Hill School is actually the oldest, consecutively running school in Colorado!

If you're eager to brush up on more town facts, the museum just around the corner from the school is worth a visit.  There you can delve into the history of Gold Hill rich with photographs and artifacts. 

You’ll learn that in July 1859 it became the first permanent mining camp in the 1^st Nebraska Territory (it would be another 17 years before Colorado became a state).  So Gold Hill is one of the oldest towns in the present day state! 

Rich in Gold and Tellurium, mining brought many seeking their fortune, such that in it’s heyday there were over 1,500 residents!  There were shops, hotels, and churches; even a newspaper and a roller skating rink!  But when surface lodes were mined and depleted, the population fell drastically.

Just before the First World War, the population had been reduced to 6 residents and Gold Hill almost became a ghost town.  But in the 1920’s the population started to grow again thanks to a woman’s organization from Chicago called the Bluebirds.  They bought the hotel and many of the cabins in town, using them as a summer retreat.

And speaking of retreats, the last stop while you’re here, an absolute MUST is a stint at the Gold Lake Mountain Resort.  (Preferably after your 3 day backpacking trip into the Rocky Mountain National Park or a day on the slopes at the local ski resort 20 min. away). 

Why?  Because they offer luxurious spa packages and their outdoor hot pools overlook spectacular views.  You can also horseback ride, canoe the private lake, snoweshoe, cross country ski or any number of activities. Oh and did I mention that it's a perfect place for a wedding?!

But if you're anything like me, you'll head straight for the hot pools.  And while you’re relaxing in one of them be sure to pull out your iPhone and watch the slideshow I’ve put together for you of some of our local scenery/wildlife (all photos taken in Gold Hill or area immediately surrounding such as Indian Peaks Wilderness).

Ahh the perfect ending to a perfect visit!

Happy viewing!

Jessica Hughes

UPDATE: 02/2009 We now have a private, non-profit, biodiesel bus service to and from Boulder!  THE CLIMB Now you have no excuse not to come to visit some Sunday!