Saxon Mountain Colorado Trail
There are many famous trails in Colorado which are best known for their thrilling heights and fascinating views. Saxon mountain also included in these trails it include theme park-level thrills, a good touch of history, and provides a panorama of beautiful mountain scenery. During the 1960s, Walter V Berry purchased a lot of land in this area for mining purposes. But after the failure of company in extracting the silver he gifted the land to the town in 1986. It is hoped that the road at the top will be used as a tram and cultural center. It is not so advanced that the remains of the original mining operations are still along the trail, including housing and equipment.
In the present day the old mining road is comprised of relentless 4×4 ascending 20 steep switchbacks, these 180 degree switchbacks enables you to climb 4500 feet quickly before reaching the peak at 11,500 feet.
In between these sharp turns much of the path runs along the rocky roads road shelves. These shelves have capacity to park one vehicle easily at a time and driving along these high maneuvering paths is a challenging situation even for expert drivers. But those who can survive the climb will be able to enjoy the panoramic views of Georgetown, adrenaline rush, the I-70 corridor, and the nearby mountains.
How long is the Saxon Mountain Colorado Trail ?
The trail runs straight for 6.6 miles across the route from Georgetown CO to the top of the Saxon Mountain over the town. Then there starts a rocky trail which ascends over 3000 feet and comprises 20 switchbacks. The trail has three sections that are regarded as obstacles and “Hold Your Breath Hill” at Waypoint XX is included in these sections. There come a number of shelf roads along the trail which becomes narrow at some places. Moreover, the steep road has more probability to rock sliding during unfavourable weather conditions.
For a long duration these rock slides caused serious issues to traveler’s on the trail. With the start of year 2021 this trail is now under the control of local group of volunteers who are working with Clear Creek County. These volunteers removed some of the dangerous rocks from the trail side which were more likely to cause damage. The work will go on by volunteer groups to alleviate different issues that have sprung up throughout the long term and they will also take part in future support.
Waypoints in Saxon Mountain Colorado Trail
The Important Waypoints along the Trail
1. Trailhead (0 miles)
Trailhead starts on the northeast side of the three-way intersecting roads with 19th street and Main Street.
2. Destination Sign & Private Drives (0.23 mi)
You had to remain on right side when road splits in to two the left road may leads to some private drives and Old Saxon Mountain Road that may leads you to private properties or the dead ends.
3. Switchback #1 & Small Parking Area (0.33 mi)
At switchback #1 there is a small parking area which is helpful for hikers and off-road wheelers to park their vehicle for a while.
4. Lower Gate – Stay Straight (0.99 mi)
You must have to straight pass the lower gate. While Saxon Mountain is not a seasonal trail, gates are here in case the trail needs to be closed for safety purposes.
5. Campsite Spur – Stay Right (1.49 mi)
You have to stay right when arriving at this small spur, this spur is best suitable for camping and can easily accommodate a single family.
6. Old Mining Spur – Stay Left (1.88 mi)
There comes an intersection with the old mining spur, you must have to stay at left to keep traveling and if not you may lead to a dead end.
7. Scree Pile – Caution (1.96 mi)
This is among the shelf areas of the mountain that have a fascinating look. Although this old rock side is barren but influences you to make off-road experience.
8. Mining Remnants (2.7 mi)
At some point while traveling you will find old mining apparatus scattered on the sides of the trail. These are the remains of old mining cars and piping which was used at that time. You can easily take pictures of these remnants if you stay for a while.
9. Mining Spur – Stay Right (2.73 mi)
You should stay right while passing by the spur road for the Anglo-Saxon Mine ruins. These ruins can not be reached because the way is being blocked by a rock slide.
10. Cabin Ruins Spur – Stay Straight (3.6 mi)
Remain straight past these old lodge ruins. There is an enormous camping area behind these structures that can oblige a little gathering of 3-4 vehicles and two or three families/tents.
11. Hold Your Breath Hill – Caution (4.08 mi)
A great number of people have discussed this hurdle while alluding to this trial’s risk level. This old rock slide is a stunning snapshot of driving over top (or catching the town beneath your vehicle’s nose), and each driver should put focus and go sluggish while going over this. The stone isn’t commonly free, and as long as the path is dry, there will be no issues in ascending or descending this deterrent.
12. Small Camp Spur – Stay Straight (4.35 mi)
Travel straight on this small camping spur, the place can easily accommodate two vehicles which means a family can easily camp over there.
13. Cabin Ruins (5.05 mi)
This is one more arrangement of remains of mining lodges. There is also sufficient space behind the construction for several vehicles and a little gathering to set up a camp.
14. Lamartine Road (AKA South Spring Gulch) – Stay Straight (5.85 mi)
Remain straight while passing through the Lamartine Road (AKA South Spring Gulch). If you adopt this path it will lead back to Idaho Springs.
15. Old Gate – Turn Left (7.05 mi)
There comes a rusted and unused old gate from where you had to turn left. This gate serves as the end limit of the Forest Service Road. You can turn around by turning left to make a shortcut to approach at the summits.
16. End at North & South Summits (7.06 mi)
The trail ends by leaving giving you an option to view from two different ends, one from the north side and other just through the trees quickly behind this spot. Moreover, you can see the mountain ranges to the south and also an information kiosk. From this point you can pick up the trail where you started and either head back down to the Saxon Mountain or can travel along the Lamartine road (AKA South Spring Gulch) by turning your vehicle towards right at Waypoint 14.
Camping in Saxon Mountain Colorado Trail
Under the ordinance 4 of the Clear Creek County camping is permitted along this road. Those with a gathering of twelve or more are required to acquire a permit here from the Historic Public Lands Commission. A significant number of the laid out locales are noted as waypoints; the biggest is at Waypoint 10 and has connections into the Georgetown.
Additional setting up camp is accessible on the associating Lamartine Road (AKA South Spring Gulch) and that trail network. Paid setting up camp is accessible to other Clear Creek County Campgrounds including the close by Clear Lake Campgrounds. The moderate and tight nature of the path implies no enormous campers or trailers will be ready to get in here. Those arrangements can find setting up camp accessible at Clear Creek RV Park and at a portion of the other close by the Clear Creek County Campgrounds.
