Starting out for a week-long road trip to Santa Fe and environs in October, I took one of the many scenic routes through the Colorado mountains.
Leadville, at 10,000 feet in altitude, was a convenient place to stop and stretch my legs, walking around town. Like the town I live in, and many Colorado mountain towns established in the late 1800s, the Victorian era, Leadville sprouted up quickly in the search for gold. The more plentiful silver made fortunes for miners in the boom town, until the federal government abandoned silver, establishing the gold standard. Once home to saloons and brothels, Harrison Avenue, the main street, is lined with gift shops and eateries, yet still picturesque.
The nostalgic Golden Burro was still serving late breakfast, smothered in a pile of fruit, to the tunes of Frankie and Bing, Ella and Satchmo, Sam Cooke and Billie Holiday.
Mural art around town
On the road out of town, graduating classes leave their mark on huge rocks each year during Boom Days.
Heading south through Colorado, it’s a route along some of the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Mount Elbert is the highest in the state at 14,439 ft (366+ meters). The range to the south of Elbert, along the western wall of the drive, are the Collegiate peaks, including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
Collegiate peaks
More to come along road trip to Santa Fe…
Santa Fe road trip: Leadville, Santa Fe landmarks, Walking Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico towns, Ghost Ranch, Antonito
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Email me at: Ruth@RuthRosenfeld.com
Ruth Rosenfeld 
Your mountains are just spectacular! And what a lovely place is Leadville – picturesque indeed. Love the wall murals, especially that one with the horse and the ski jumper at the back.
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That’s a fun one! The Rockies are dramatic, especially when capped with snow.
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Did you venture out to the gloriously named ghost town called “Stumptown” nearby?
https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/stumptown.html
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I have heard of it, but haven’t been. Is it a 4wd road? Might have to check it out!
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The road is decent enough to do in a compact rental car! It’s located right on the edge of Leadville.
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These pics are great! I drove through Leadville a couple of weeks ago for the first time in a while. I had forgotten what a quaint and colorful town it is. Thanks for sharing
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Thanks, Carol! I hadn’t been out that way for a long time so it was a treat.
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After our brilliant California trip this year, this kind of post just whets my appetite for more. Would definitely have to go into the Silver Dollar and chat with the good people of Leadville.
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Yes, that’s a good stop. Not open yet when I passed through, but I’ve been there years ago.
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What pristine skies you had during your time in Colorado! Never heard of Leadville, but the place really showcases that idyllic, small-town feel. Glad you had a good time! 😊
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The deep blue Colorado sky is a regular thing. Thanks for coming along, Rebecca!
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The husband and I consider Leadville our home away from home. We’ve been there so many times. Usually we stay there for a week or so, but this past summer (after we met up with you in our spontaneous meet-up) we took just a day-trip there from Breckenridge. Next time I want to get back to staying there longer. I even wrote a post about the town: An Ode to Quirky Leadville, Colorado.
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I’ll check out your Leadville post. You’ve probably done more hiking and biking closer to that area. It’s an easy drive from my town, so I’ve never stayed there, but it would be fun.
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Those mountains… I don’t want to demean them with some tired old adjective. They really pop out of that perfect sky. Like the Hungry Travellers I find myself drawn to the Silver Dollar Saloon, there are surely some colourful characters in there. Leadville looks utterly charming, especially with all that art peppered around the place.
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Always a fun stop. The Rockies paint a beautiful picture, especially this time of year with the snow peaks and the intense Colorado blue sky. Thanks for your comment, Leighton.
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Indeed a beautiful an well kept village, but most of all, I’m attacted by the mountain views.
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Thanks for coming along, Rudi. The Rockies are especially beautiful this time of year, the snow peaks over evergreens.
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This tourist town puts me in the mood to repeat another trip through Colorado and New Mexico. Great photos again.
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Thank you, Jay. It’s a fun stop and an interesting place to explore.
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When I read how high up that town was, I gasped. However, your photos make me want to try a visit.
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This is the high country! Best to acclimate slowly and not attempt anything too athletic unless you wait a couple of days. I live at 8,500 ft. so it’s no problem for me! Thanks for coming along.
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Oh wow! You live a mile a half high! I have not been there but good tip to get acclimated to the altitude.
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I’ve never seen a bell tower with curved railings. I like the look. Makes me think the parishioners actually went up there back in the day to enjoy the spectacular views.
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Surprised you haven’t poked around Leadville in your Colorado days. ☺
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That’s my sort of road and my sort of road trip stopping point. Thanks for introducing me to Leadhills. We really must add Colorado to our list of US states visited one of these days!
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Stupid autocorrect – I know it’s really Leadville 🤣
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😄
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Definitely, you would enjoy Colrado!
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Still carrying the look of the wild wild west Ruth. A pretty town in a beautiful setting. Makes me want to come visit. Thanks for sharing. Allan
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It’s still an old mining town at heart. I appreciate your visit, Allan.
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One of the things that I love about taking a road trip is making stops along the way. Leadville looks lovely and very well kept. The views of the snow capped mountains are gorgeous.
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It’s a little gem and most of the old buildings are lovingly kept well-restored by the diehard residents that have chosen to live at such high altitude. Thanks.
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What a little wonderful town located in such a beautiful setting. The snowy Colorado mountain peaks are simply stunning! Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks, Aiva, for your visit and comment. Have a good day as well!
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It’s beautiful – those mountains are just so beautiful
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The high mountains are especially lovely when the snow covers the peaks against that deep blue Colorado sky.
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Oh gorgeous country! I can imagine how uplifting it must have been to drive through it on a bright sunny day. And the town is pretty sweet too. Lovely photos Ruth.
Alison
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Thank you, Alison. As always, I appreciate your visit.
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Leadville looks adorable and with the great Rockies all around it looks like the perfect mountain town. 😊 Maggie
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It’s always a fun stop and the mountains are so dramatic. Super cold in winter, but as a Canadian, I imagine you are used to that!
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Unfortunately yes, very used to it 😊
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