Cripple Creek, Colorado

After a day of relaxing at the campground on Thursday we headed out Friday morning to Historic Cripple Creek.  One of the best things about this mountain town was getting there - a drive on Rte. 67 seeing the mountains of Pike National Forest.  The road climbs gently the entire way to Cripple Creek.  We reached an elevation of 10,240 feet.  The return trip did not take as long as going to Cripple Creek.  I kept quiet while Terry seemed to have enjoyed driving  all those curves at a slightly faster speed coming down from the mountain. 

We took the 45 minute train ride to the gold mining area of Cripple Creek.  My favorite part of the trip was Echo Valley when the train whistle blew and the echo could be heard for seconds later.  The town is very quaint and filled with casinos.
 

A view of Cripple Creek .

Cripple Creek elevation is 9,494 ft.

The main street in Cripple Creek lined with casinos.



The Brass Ass Casino



Old Homestead House(white building in picture) was a famous brothel that charged $250 per night during the Gold Rush when $3 a day was considered a good wage for a miner.

This train is referred to  as Thomas the Train's cousin.

Gold Mining District

Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine is an active gold mine  today.

In 1900 there were over 500 gold mines operating in the district.  23,000,00 ounces of gold have been recovered from the district.

Below this slab of concrete is a hole with a depth of 750 feet.

A find for my brother-in-law that collects old cars.







This is the creek that gave the town it's name Cripple Creek.

Echo Valley