The Town of Gold Hill, Colorado

I was all set to write about Boulder, Colorado for the hometown local 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 the town truly unique. But I’m not gonna……..

Because it snowed! A lot! Almost 2 feet! …….So my husband and I had a snow day, since we couldn’t get our car up the driveway. Being snowbound reminded me that I don’t actually live in Boulder, but rather 10 miles west in the quaint little town of Gold Hill, nestled at 8,300 feet above sea level and 3,000 feet above Boulder. And when I say little, by that I mean that the last population estimate was 200 residents.

Anyway, my snowshoe hike to town on our snow day made me decide to write about Gold Hill instead. So welcome to my town, 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.

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 on the right 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 pastry (sitting in front of the fire on cold days) and take your time reading the literature, or browsing postcards & trinkets. When you’ve finished chatting to the locals at the store, go west toward the edge of town you’ll often see the children involved in outdoor activities at the 2 room (one classroom) schoolhouse. A little known fact is that the Gold Hill School is actually the oldest, consecutively running school in Colorado.

To brush up on more town facts the museum just past 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. 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 (nearest ski resort is 20 min. away). Why? Because they offer luxurious spa packages and their outdoor hot pools overlook spectacular views. You can also horseback ride, go canoeing on the private lake, snoweshoe, cross country ski or any number of activities.

But I'm sure you'll go for the hot pools first. And while you’re relaxing in one of them you can break out your blackberry to watch the slideshow I’ve put together for you of local scenery/wildlife (all photos taken in Gold Hill or area immediately surrounding such as Indian Peaks Wilderness). Happy viewing!

Jessica Hughes