Ghost Towns & Glorious Peaks: My Hike Through Mayflower Gulch
There’s a trail here, sure— but calling the Mayflower Gulch Grand Traverse a “hike” doesn’t do it justice.
This trail is a choose-your-adventure destination that’s more of an exploration area than a hike with a designated route. It’s more like a high alpine playground carved by glaciers and time.
And you have an open invitation to explore.
Once you break out of the trees, you’re standing in a massive amphitheater of jagged peaks, meandering streams, and ghostly remains of the Boston Mine, all waiting to be wandered.
If you hike the entirety of the trails, you could go as far as 6 miles with 1,500 feet in elevation gain, but those numbers are quite flexible. There’s no single best way to experience Mayflower Gulch.
It’s whatever you want it to be, which is why it’s one of my favorite hikes in Colorado.
Getting There
From Highway I-70, take exit 195 towards CO-91 / Copper Mountain / Leadville. Continue on CO-91 (part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway) heading south for about 5.9 miles. The destination is on the left (view coordinates in Google Maps).
There’s an obvious parking area, as well as a trailhead bulletin board. If you have a low clearance or two-wheel-drive vehicle, this is your stop. It’s approximately 1 mile to the cabin ruins from here.
If you have a 4WD/AWD vehicle with decent clearance, you can continue down the old mining road and save yourself this mile of walking.
We found that the largest obstacle on the road was towards the beginning, and consisted of a large dip that you must choose a good route. If you aren’t comfortable or able to get past this, park off the road or backtrack to the parking area.
Whether you’re walking or driving, you’ll pass a collapsed cabin on your left and the foundations of an ore shoot on your right.
In about a mile (some sites say 1.5 miles, but I haven’t measured it myself), you’ll run into a large gate blocking the road (see coordinates in Google Maps). Park here and continue on foot – the cabin ruins are only 50 yards ahead of you.
Historical Significance
These cabins are the ruins of the Boston Mining Camp, which was active from around 1884-1900, when a large gold vein was discovered near Fletcher Mountain.
The boom died practically overnight when they discovered the vein lacked purity, and the miners left their cabins and dispersed into the surrounding areas looking for more success.
Fast forward to 2009, when the Summit County Open Spaces & Trails Department paid $900,000 for the Mayflower Gulch area, which also led to the previous owners relinquishing their mining permits.
This will ensure that this open space stays natural and protected, despite there being anywhere from 15-50 million dollars worth of gold below ground.
The Hike
The main attraction in Mayflower Gulch is the mining cabin ruins just past the large gate. There are several of them and you can’t miss them.
They sit at about 11,500 feet in elevation and are situated in an amphitheater surrounded by jagged mountain peaks (Fletcher Mountain, Crystal Peak, Pacific Peak, and more).
This elevation led to treacherous winter conditions, including avalanches, howling winds, and snow on the ground for the majority of the year.
In fact, I hiked this trail late August, and it had snowed overnight!
Take some time to soak in the history here, or maybe even encounter a few ghosts. You can continue up the old wagon road, which winds deeper into the amphitheater.
I took the left fork, which led up to a gate marked by a Summit County Open Space sign. I continued on just far enough to soak in some great views of the valley below and to see the jagged peak line above me.
Up there, there are some more building ruins, and you can still see the giant iron cable that connects a mine entrance to the building below. This section can add up to 2 miles and about 700 feet of elevation gain to your hike.
Retrace your steps back to the old mining cabins, then take the trail up to the left to the summit of Gold Hill. On the summit, you’ll find a wide open meadow with fantastic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Taking on this side route adds about 1.1 miles and about 500 feet of elevation gain to your exploration.
The Verdict
Mayflower Gulch isn’t just a trail, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure tucked into the high country.
Whether you’re visiting for the views, the history, or the simple joy of wandering, this place has a way of sticking with you.
It’s the kind of place that’s worth coming back to again and again.
Bring your hiking shoes, some curiosity, and a camera. But most of all, bring a little extra time—you’re going to want it.
If you want more history on your tour of Mayflower Gulch, consider bringing along a copy of Mary Ellen Gilliland’s local history book, “Summit, A Gold Rush History of Summit County, Colorado” from 2006. You may be able to get this book at the bookstore in the nearby town of Frisco.
Winter Adventure in Mayflower Gulch
In the winter, the mining roads turn into a fun cross-country skiing trail or snowshoeing trail. If you want to take advantage of some snowy fun, we recommend doing some more research.
From what we understand, the road is relatively safe from avalanches, but the risk does increase the farther you get up into the bowl. Be safe out there!
Nearby Hiking Suggestions
While you’re out on this Mayflower Gulch adventure, here are some other suggestions in the area:
We also highly recommend spending a day in the nearby town of Leadville, which is the highest incorporated city in North America.
Visit the National Mining Hall of Fame, drive the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, and eat lunch at one of the town’s many historical saloons.
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