Trail Run Project Logo

This is a steep scramble up to an old mine.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.3

KM

82%

Runnable

9,679' 2,950 m

High

8,822' 2,689 m

Low

889' 271 m

Up

886' 270 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The trail is best used from June through October.

Overview

This run will take you through meadows, steep canyons, creeks, and eventually to a waterfall and abandoned mine.

Need to Know

This trail is off Cisneros Trail #1314 inside Lake Isabel Picnic and Day Use Area (Southside) and requires a fee for day use.

Runner Notes

This is not recommended for trail runners.

Description

Starting from the Cisneros Trailhead across from Spruce and Ponderosa group campgrounds, follow the Cisneros Trail as it makes a steady climb up steep terrain. Eventually, the trail reaches a junction with the Marion Mine Route. Use the Trail Run Project mobile app to make sure you don't miss it! Make a right here and follow this unmaintained route up Amethyst Creek to reach Marion Mine.

Along the way, you'll come across a cabin by a creek. That was an old cabin used by someone in the mining era, however as you can see, someone purchased it. It is now in good shape and inhabited. The trail will be pretty steep for most of the run, but it is well worth it. If you come in the right season, there will be lots of wild raspberries and strawberries growing just off the trail.

The trail begins at the Cisneros Trailhead in Lake Isabel Recreation Area. If you don't feel like camping there are nice cabins at The Pine Lodge ( thepinelodge.net/), and you can get a good bite to eat at the Lodge (not to be confused with the cabins) across the street from San Isabel Lake.

Flora & Fauna

Aspens, columbines, lupines, raspberries, strawberries, grass, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, deer, chipmunks, and raccoons can be found here.

History & Background

The Marion became operational in 1907. In 1908, George Kindle was hired as mine engineer while his wife ran the boarding house for workers. The ore concentrates were hauled to the smelter at Florence. Three levels were driven out from the tunnel, which went to an inclined depth of 165 feet. More than 2,500 feet of ore was exposed.

Unfortunately, the mine was not profitable and in 1915 work at the Marion stopped. The Kindles remained as caretakers for many years. Finally, the property was abandoned and the machinery, pipelines and equipment were sold to the Bernstein Brothers for junk.

The mine shaft still stands, with the remains of the log buildings. They stand testament to the determination and skills of many. In this case though, the only gold at the Marion Mine glitters on the aspens in the fall.

greenhornvalleyview.com/ind…

Contacts

Shared By:

Isaac Bozeman with improvements by Gary Smith and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 9 votes

#1

in San Isabel

#2571

Overall
  4.4 from 9 votes
5 Star
56%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in San Isabel

#428

in Colorado

#2,571

Overall
34 Views Last Month
5,941 Since Nov 8, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
22%
44%
0%

Photos

Drone view of Cathedral Lake Trail.
Sep 30, 2023 near Colorad…, CO
The old entrance to Marion Mine.
Nov 8, 2017 near Colorad…, CO
Sunset on 11/2/18.
Nov 2, 2018 near Colorad…, CO
West Cisneros Trail runs along Custer Creek.
Aug 13, 2021 near Colorad…, CO
Gorgeous Aspen Stand along Cisneros Trail.
Aug 13, 2021 near Colorad…, CO
View from behind main mine shaft.
Nov 8, 2017 near Colorad…, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.