There’s something uniquely captivating about a crisp autumn day, especially when it’s spent exploring the rich history and stunning landscapes of Colorado’s Gold Belt. Join us as we recount a memorable day trip to Cripple Creek and Victor, where mining lore and charming small towns come alive.
Our day began under clear blue skies, with a scattering of golden aspens still clinging to their vibrant hues, hinting at the beauty of the season. Our route was a picturesque loop designed to immerse us in the heart of the historic mining district: taking Route 67 to Cripple Creek, crossing over Victor Pass to Victor, and then looping back via the scenic Gold Camp Loop Road.
First Stop: The Cripple Creek Outlaws & Lawmen Jail Museum
Our initial destination in Cripple Creek was a true step back in time: the Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum, which includes the historic district jail. From the outside, it looks like an almost small, unassuming house. But inside, it tells a fascinating, sometimes harsh, story of the past.
The men’s section, on the first floor, was a large room packed with numerous cells, stacked one on top of the other. Though windows now let in light, during its heyday, this space was notoriously overcrowded, often housing eight or more prisoners in cells designed for far fewer. One particularly chilling cell was for solitary confinement – completely dark and devoid of light. The walls still bear the marks of its former inhabitants, with drawings and writings etched by prisoners. The perimeter of the room was lined with captivating stories and photographs, detailing the history of local criminals, the area’s development, and the jail itself.
Upstairs, a different picture emerged: a women’s section, a children’s section, and a dedicated room for the kind lady who assisted the women and children. This stop was incredibly informative, offering a glimpse into the human side of Cripple Creek’s boomtown era and providing some truly remarkable stories from years gone by.
A Fuzzy Encounter: The Cripple Creek Donkeys
Next, we made a delightful detour near the Mountain View Adventure Park to visit the Cripple Creek Donkeys in their winter quarters. We learned that these charismatic creatures roam freely through the streets of Cripple Creek during the summer months! This quick, heartwarming stop allowed us to feed the donkeys with a small donation (cash or QR code), a charming nod to the area’s enduring history.
A Quick Detour to See Rita the Rock Planter
Our next stop took us down a path from the American Eagle Mine to see the famous art installation, Rita the Rock Planter. I was quite surprised by the small crowd gathered ,then again she is pretty cool! People were taking their time getting family photos, and since we didn’t want to wait more than 20 minutes, we opted for a more distant shot. We marveled at the sheer neatness of the sculpture and its incredible setting before heading back to the American Eagle Mine area for a closer look at the historic mining structures. It was quite windy up on this ridge, giving us a true taste of the high country air!
Lunch in Historic Victor
Leaving Cripple Creek and Rita behind, we headed over to the quaint town of Victor for lunch. As a tiny, historic community, our dining options were limited to two places: a pizza place (which we skipped since we’d had pizza the night before) or a small, welcoming cafe. We decided on the cafe to help support the local economy. Justin enjoyed a classic hamburger and onion rings, and I had a grilled cheese—it was simple, satisfying, and exactly what we needed.
Stratton’s Independence Mine and Mill
After lunch, we took some time to look around Victor, specifically checking out the imposing structure of the Stratton’s Independence Mine and Mill, another testament to the area’s incredible wealth generation. While Stratton staked his claim on this property in 1891, it took him 2 years to raise funds and worried he couldn’t do it, so he optioned it, but the option didn’t go through…and boy was Stratton happy because he had found a rich vein of gold just 30 days before. This vein ended up being one of the most profitable in the area putting Victor on the map. He sold the mine in 1899 and died in 1902. The mine continued operations until 1938 and in its 20 years produced $23,000,000. About three structures can still be seen, the headframe, the orehouse and the powerhouse.
The Scenic Loop and a Closed Gate
Having spent the day immersed in the rich history and grand landscapes, we thought it would be good to experience a mine. Denise has done about 3, but Justin none, so we ventured off to take a tour at the Gold Mine Tour near the Cripple Creek Heritage Center.
We began our loop back by taking Victor Pass, which led us onto the scenic Gold Camp Loop Road. We paused at the Newmark Mine Overlook for a few more photos and to observe the vast mining operations from an even closer vantage point. This drive offered stunning views and truly showcased the scale of the gold rush era.
Unfortunately, when we arrived at our intended final stop, the gold mine tour was closed, perhaps for the season. I should have realized that when we first drove into town. But oh well. While there were certainly more historic sites and trails we could have explored, time was calling; we needed to be home in about four hours. We said goodbye to the Gold Belt area, made a quick stop in the town of Divide for a relaxing beer, and caught the tail end of a football game before starting our drive home.
The entire day was a brilliant blend of history, breathtaking scenery, and small-town charm. The experience of seeing the vast scale of the mines contrasted with the intimate stories from the jail left me feeling incredibly relaxed and fulfilled. It was a fantastic day trip, showcasing that there is still gold—and history—in those hills!
Scenic Drive: The Loop
SIMILAR POST: if you are looking for a scenic road trip with a little leaf peeping, check out our Guanella Pass Daytrip Scenic Drive.