The Bachelor Loop
(Left click on any picture to enlarge it)
Above the town of Creede is a road, "The Bachelor Loop," following the old mining road along which there are many old mine remains, and starting at the canyon at the north end of town, seen as a notch in the rocks above.
I think the loop is about 18 miles long, unless you take some of the side roads requiring 4-wheel drive and high clearance.
As you enter the canyon you immediately come across substantial mine constructions.
Some of these are perched precariously on the steep sides, but have remained in place for the better part of a century.
These constructions, as the track to the tipple seen here, required lots and lots of wood . . .
. . . and big timbers. I am amazed to see in historic photos that there were some trees still standing in this area .
The mine shafts were built strong and deep, and some have been active until a few years ago. For a history of Creede from the Denver Post click here, and for a history of mining in the San Juans try HERE .
Midway through the trip we stopped for a spot of lunch.
The town of Bachelor, for which the loop is named, in the hills above Creede, had an exciting start, but a very brief life.
Not much left of Bachelor today, and not much left for this post. See you at another SW Colorado highlight on the next one. -
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