One of Victor’s “Trails of Gold”, the Vindicator Valley Trail leads you two miles around the historic Independence mining camp outside of Victor. Construction of the mines began in the 1890s and came to a close in the 1950s when the Vindicator mine shut down.
Several of Victor’s largest mines are located here. There are over a dozen mines on the hillside visible from the trail and from the road if you’re just driving by. It’s a very scenic hike along a gravel road.
It’s open to bikes and horses but no motorized vehicles. In the winter, snowshoeing and cross country skiing is popular since the trail is open year round. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete on foot.
The trail is very informational, as there are numerous signs posted along route pertaining to Victor’s history. Topics include railroads, gold rush towns, mines and more.
At the top of the valley you can see a modern mine still operating in Victor. Elevation of the trail is around 10,000 feet above sea level. Be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. There is a bit of an up and downtown trek involved.
Getting There
There are two trailheads. One is across from Goldfield and the other is further up the Teller County Road 831 at the Vindicator Mine.
Read our post on the Vindicator Valley Trail in Victor.
Details
Address: Teller County Rd 831, Victor
Season: Year round
Pets: Yes, on-leash
