Friday, June 11, 2010 Gladstone & Corkscrew Gulch Trail

Today, we headed northeast of town toward the old Gladstone Mine.  We turned off on Corkscrew Gulch Trail.  We were traveling with new friends, Patrick and Janet from Norman, Oklahoma.  She said they should rename it roller coaster hill because of all the ups and downs.  At the lower elevations, there are trees.  As we climb up, to about 12,000 feet, there is an awesome view of all three of the Red Mountains.  There are some very sharp switchbacks and it gets a little bumpy; also several water crossings this year.  We ended up at Hwy 550 at the old town site of Ironton, a town formed in 1883 as a tent colony following the mining craze around Red Mountain.  At one time the town served as a stage and supply center for the region.  Merchants from Ouray and Silverton opened stores there.  Deep mine shafts were dug and hit underground water found to contain deadly sulfuric acid.  This played havoc with the machinery and made maintenance an expensive endeavor.  The success of the gold mines was not sufficient for the town to survive, and along with the silver crash of 1893, most residents moved on to other areas.

This evening, the clouds are rolling in and snow is predicted for tonight!  This was shot standing in front of the RV.