August 17, 2023

By Tim Briese

5.1 miles, 1100’, 4:30 roundtrip time

The hike to Mayflower Gulch is very popular, and justifiably so, because it is very scenic and is easily accessed from the Denver area. The large well-marked trailhead parking area is right along the east side of CO 91 about ten miles south of I-70. Most hikers begin at this trailhead and hike up an old 4WD road that can be driven for a mile and a half or so if one has the right vehicle. Teresa and I could have driven up the road but were content to simply stroll up the scenic road and enjoy the beautiful sunny morning.

When we approached timberline we came to a gate and a fork in the trail. Most hikers went left to some old mine buildings but we decided we could check that out later so we went right on a good trail that ascended about 500 feet in a half mile up to a scenic ridge called Gold Hill.

a nice view of upper mayflower gulch from the trail to the ridge

on the way up to the ridge

It was a gorgeous morning to be up here and the scenery was grand.

after we arrived on the ridge

clinton reservoir below and a mine tailing pond beyond

After a break we hiked back down to the trail junction and continued on the other trail to explore the old mine buildings.

a stone spiral someone had built   

We saw dozens of other hikers today and quite a few of them were milling around in the vicinity of the mine buildings. The old 4WD track continued on up into upper Mayflower Gulch some distance further to more mine ruins, but we were not inclined to do that so after looking around some more we retraced our steps back down to the trailhead.