Colorado Boy Trail

The Colorado Boy Mine History: The Colorado Boy Mine is one of only three intact vertical mine shaft house structures in the Red Mountain Mining District. It is viewed by thousands of visitors to southwest Colorado when they drive the San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway which is across the valley from the mine. Dating from the 1880s, the mine was never a big producer. It was stabilized in 2001 in partnership with the Colorado State Historic Fund and Ouray County Historical Society.

How to Get There: About seven to nine miles south of Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway 550 is a turn-off for Ironton Park on the left. Once you take the turn off you will pull in and park amongst the eerie abandoned buildings of the Ironton townsite. There is narrow gravel road that leads south beside the creek, which you will follow until you come to a noticeable wood foot-bridge on the left leading across the creek. There is a trail sign leading towards Colorado Boy. Once you cross the stream the trail leads on towards the left into the forest. Keep following for a short way and you will come to the official trail head of the Colorado Boy Trail on the right where you can sign the trail register. Bear to the right as you climb a low ridge where the trail looks like it splits. You will want to stay to the right and cross over a makeshift bridge. The trail is no more than a mile and a half round trip with some moderate uphill sections. Information provided by US Forest Service Website.