Page 585 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

C OL OR ADO  583

m Idaho Springs & spreads across 416 sq miles
Georgetown (1,077 sq km) and includes 114
named peaks that measure more
* 2,000. @ n 2060 Miner St, (303)
567-4382. ∑ visitidahosprings than 10,000 ft (3,048 m). The
tallest of these, Longs Peak, is
colorado.com
14,255 ft (4,345 m) high. Snaking
Situated within an hour’s drive through the alpine scenery is
from downtown Denver, the the Continental Divide, which
well-preserved 1860s mining separates the western part of
towns of Idaho Springs and the US from the east, and where
Georgetown are best known for snowmelt flows down and
their unblemished Victorian eventually empties into the
architecture, stunning mountains, Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Almost
and some excellent museums. 150 lakes originate here, some
Idaho Springs was founded Victorian architecture in downtown occupying pastoral, forested
in 1859 and quickly emerged Georgetown settings, while others are
as a mining center when the perched on almost inaccessible
surrounding streams and follows Highways 103 and 5 shelves, high in the wilderness.
mountains were found to be through the Pike National Forest Most of the three million
exceptional sources of gold. toward the 14,264-ft- (4,347-m-) annual visitors to the park drive
The town’s mining history is high summit of Mount Evans. 50 miles (80 km) on Trail Ridge
traced through exhibits that Road, a spectacular stretch of
include equipment, payroll E Argo Gold Mine, Mill & Museum highway that showcases the
records, receipts, and photo- S of I-70, exit from 241A (2350 park’s brilliant panoramas. After
graphs at the Argo Gold Mine, Riverside Dr.) Tel (303) 567- 2421. leaving the resort environment
Mill & Museum. Open 9am–5pm daily (winter hrs of Estes Park, the road climbs to
Georgetown, another mining subject to weather). & 8 its highest point of 12,183 ft
town set up during the mid-19th- ∑ historicargotours.com (3,713 m) near the center of the
century gold rush, is 15 miles Hamill House Museum park, before descending into a
(24 km) west of Idaho Springs. 305 Argentine St. Tel (303) 569-2840. scenic valley north of the
It is a vision of Victorian elegance Open Memorial Day–Labor Day: small town of Grand Lake.
tucked into an alpine valley 11am–4pm daily; Labor Day–Nov: The tundra in the park’s high
8,500 ft (2,591 m) above sea level. 11am–4pm Sat & Sun; Nov–Memorial country is an island of arctic
The Hamill House Museum, built Day: by appt. only. & 8 vegetation surrounded by
in 1867 and enlarged in 1879, ∑ historicgeorgetown.org plants of lower latitudes.
presents the public with the Wildlife-watchers are likely
opulent lifestyle of a silver-mining to see elk, moose, black bear,
magnate. There’s also a carriage , Rocky Mountain and bighorn sheep.
house, cottage, log cabin, and National Park Popular summer activities
mill. The historic 3-mile (4-km) 1000 US Hwy 36. Tel (970) 586-1206. within the park include hiking,
elevated Georgetown Loop Open 24 hours daily. (Trail Ridge Road biking, backpacking, and fishing,
Railroad winds up Clear Creek closed between Nov–Apr). & 7  while winter attracts snow-
Canyon and affords spectacular ∑ nps.gov/romo shoers and skiers. Although
views of mountainous terrain. there are no hotels inside the
South from Idaho Springs, This National Park offers some of park, there are five fee-based
summer drivers can climb up the most spectacular mountain camp grounds and numerous
the highest road in the country. views in the United States. accommodations in both Estes
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway Established in 1915, the park Park and Grand Lake.

A pretty view of the myriad peaks from the pinnacle of Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park

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