Mayflower Hill

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers

Mayflower Gulch provides easy access to a couple of runs – ruins of Boston Mine and Gold Hill are the usual ones. However much less crowded is a moderate run up Mayflower Hill. Round trip is around 4.5 miles, final elevation is 12346', and this open summit provides expansive views. Look down to Mayflower Gulch, the Boston Mine, or up to peaks (13ers) in the Ten-Mile Range (Atlantic, Pacific, Fletcher and others). Great wildflower display in summer, and a good place to acclimatize yourself to some elevation if you are a Flatlander. Could be a family run for older children.

This could be a good trail run. It is not overly steep or rough.

The trailhead, at approximately 10940', is only a 20 minutes/17 miles outside of Leadville on HWY 91, or 6.5 miles from Hwy 70/Copper Mountain. It is on the east side of Hwy 91. There is a large parking lot, and although the area is often busy the lot seems to accommodate the crowd. Approximately .15 miles from the parking lot leave Mayflower Gulch Road, veering left onto the remnants of an old road.

Climb carefully around a concrete barrier – easy to do but some of the railroad ties are out – and continue on the old dirt road until you come out on the other bank of Mayflower Creek. Turn right and continue on the road (Humbug Creek Irrigation Road on map). Just up the hill a faint trail heads straight, but stay left on the road. Follow it to a fork, and then take a sharp right uphill.

The trail carries you around and switchbacks you up to an open knoll before petering out. This is a good place to set a waypoint if you like, to make it easier to find the road on the way back down, but it isn't necessary. There are a couple of cairns but they are not obvious, or necessary. Just keep running uphill, and when you come to the rolling, grassy ridge follow it to the end/highest elevation.

It is a charming place to flop down for lunch and enjoy yourself. Return the way you came, and if you want to add distance run up Mayflower Gulch Road to the mine ruins.

Numerous wildflowers in the area, especially near creek, the usual pikas up the hill.