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Vindicator Valley Trail
Vindicator Valley Trail in Victor.

Vindicator Valley Trail – Victor

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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.

May you stand in ore and your labors be in vein – Cornish miners toast popular in the area.

Biking, Hiking, and Mine Tour

The Vindicator Valley Trail leads you through old mining camps in Victor. It’s a very scenic and worthwhile walking tour. There are lots of interpretive signs on the way.

Vindicator Valley Mine
An old mine along the trail.

The looping hike takes a little more than an hour and is free. It’s located only a few minutes north of downtown Victor on Highway 81/Lazy S Ranch Rd.

Trail route

It’s open to bikes and horses but no motorized vehicles. In the winter, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are popular since the trail is open year-round. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete on foot. The trail is informational, as there are numerous signs posted along the route pertaining to Victor’s history. Topics include railroads, gold rush towns, and mines.

At the top of the valley, you can see a modern mine still operating in Victor. The 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.

An old home at the Independence Mining Camp.
Looking inside the old house.
Looking out at several mines in the Vindicator Valley.
An old mine along the trail.
Same old mine as above up close.
A few old homes in the valley.
The trail is mostly loose gravel.
The "Theresa Mine" ran from 1895 to 1900.
Inside the Theresa Mine.
Still inside the Theresa Mine.
In view from left to right: Bull Hill, Sangre de Christo Mountains, Straub Mountain, Gold States Mining Company Process Plant and Battle Mountain.
It's just mine after mine on the scenic trail.
The scenic fenced in trail.
Explosives were kept in storage units like this all around the valley.
The "Bebee House" housed 5 generations of the Bebee family until the mine closed in the 1950s.
Looking through an old mine to a currently operating mine at the top of the hill. You can see dump truck dumping rocks.
Vindicator Valley mine.
Mine ruins..
An old city hall located across the County Road from the Vindicator Valley Trail.
There are 2 trailheads for the Vindicator Valley Trail.
Former home at the Independence Mining Camp.
Vindicator Consolidated Gold Mining Company.
Dilapidated home at the Vindicator Mine.
"Vindicator Mine".
Mine and mill.
Several former mines, while a current one operates atop the hill.
"Last Dollar Mine".
Looking down at Vindicator Valley.
Mining rubble.
Ruins of the old LaBella Mill, Water and Power Company.
"Theresa Mine" operated from 1895 until 1900.
Trail leads you past mine after mine.
Explosives for the mines for stored in these secure structures.
"Bebee House" was home to 5 generations of the Bebee family until the Vindicator Mine shut down in the 1950s.
2012-06-29-Vindicator-Valley01-800x400

Details

Address: Teller County Rd 831, Victor, CO 80813

Season: Year-round

Fee: None

Pets: Yes, on-leash

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