Where is Cloverdale Mine?
Usa, north-america
16.89 km
3,497 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: you're in Colorado's San Isabel National Forest, ready to tackle a wild, unpaved road up to the abandoned Cloverdale Mine. This place is tucked away in the Cloverdale Basin, below the shimmering Silver Lake.
What was once a bustling gold mine (hello, Oakwood Mining Company!) is now a ghost of its former self. They chased copper but found gold starting in the 50s. Even though they mined enough to survive through WWII, the good times ran out pretty quick.
So, the road – Lake Creek Road (FS 198) – is no joke. It's about 10.5 miles of pure, unadulterated off-road goodness starting from CO-69. You'll climb almost 4,000 feet (total elevation a whopping 11,473ft!), so yeah, your rig is gonna work for it. Expect an average grade of around 7%, but some spots crank up to over 12%.
After Rainbow Lake it gets serious. Keep an eye out for a quirky old cabin, because after that, the switchbacks begin, and the trail gets seriously narrow. And rocky. And maybe muddy, depending on recent weather. There's even a boulder field and a tricky ledge to navigate near the end. Tire placement is key!
Because this trail is high up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, winter hits hard and hangs around. Summer is really the only time to attempt it safely.
But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Eagle Peak is a sight to behold. And the mine itself? It's like stepping back in time. The buildings are mostly still standing, giving you a peek into a history you usually only read about. So if you're into adventure, stunning scenery, and a little bit of ghost-town exploration, Cloverdale Mine should definitely be on your list.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 16.89 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,497 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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