A hike up to the Mayflower Gulch Basin takes you past the abandoned Boston mining camp. The first part of the trail goes up an old dirt road where you’ll see old mining structures. After you pass the buildings of what remains of the mining camp, you’ll be on a well worn footpath with mountain views all around you. This is a great family hike and can be done by those who are reasonably fit from 8 – 80 years of age.
From Vail International, it’s about a 30 minute drive on I-70 to Copper Mountain and then south on Highway 91 for 6 miles to the parking lot at the trailhead on your left. Google Maps link. This is a popular hike in the summer and the parking lot usually fills up early on weekends and holidays.
Here are the results of a Google search about the history of the area.
“The Boston Mine formed in the late 1800s when gold was found near Mayflower Gulch, Colorado. The gold was deemed impure, so settlers abandoned the mine and camp, leaving behind a ghost town. Today, the land is protected — but $15 million to $50 million worth of gold might still be there.”
