Leadville, Colorado

High Altitude Bike Ride

We had purchased travel insurance for our February trip to Merida Mexico. Then we canceled our trip and met the requirements for a refund. But after being ignored we received an email saying we had been denied due to covid. I was so angry that I got on AIG's social media and let them have it. They removed my comments (no dirty words). After venting I decided to let it go. I hate negative energy and knew the little guy wouldn't win. A month later, received an email from another adjuster requesting information about the flight. I sent the requested info and got another email later that day saying we would get a refund for our airfare $975! Hopefully, someday we will get there.

At 10,000 feet, Leadville is the highest town in North America and home of the former Climax molybdenum mine.  The mine closed when the molybdenum was no longer needed to harden steel after WWII. The town lost 8 out of 10 jobs and became a sad place to live. Leadville is notable for the Rocky's many 14,000 foot peaks easily seen from town and the headwaters of the
Arkansas River. 

It was once a rather worn down town but now getting a facelift with many people from Denver and Colorado Springs finding Leadville affordable yet close to ski resorts and purchasing second homes among the Historic District. And it is only 35 miles from our campground.

The Mineral Belt Trail an 11.6 mile multiuse trail with numerous trailheads and access points in Leadville. Six miles of this trail meanders through the historic Leadville Mining District with views of
the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges and Turquoise lake. It starts at 10,100 feet and goes up to 10,650 feet and had me breathing hard. We added on some back roads for a few more miles.

We were glad to see him wearing his mask.

There were several sets of bear prints along the trail.

This was a confused bear.

Overlooking Leadville.

The trail is well maintained and smooth for both summer and winter activities. Part of the trail was blocked with a detour sign as they were repairing part of the path. If we had known how bad the road going down was, we would have turned around and ridden in the opposite direction. My hands and arms were buzzing from all of the bumps we hit on the way down.

We plan to do it again once the repairs are finished on the path.

Outside the mining museum in town

Some whimsical landscaping. 

We stopped to visit from a distance with this artist working on her neighbor's yard.

After a stop at Subway, we were ready for a picnic at Clear Creek Reservoir on the way back to Buena Vista. I don't think the fish were biting. But the people seemed content to enjoy the day.

We have heard from friends that we haven't seen in a while and it really made our day. I don't think we realized how separate everyone is right now. It also made us realize that we should do the same and reach out to friends and family even if we can't see them in person.