Places to eat, shop, and hike, all included! This is for more of a laid back day of easy and short hikes and leisurely strolling the town. I’ll be doing a separate post later on longer and more strenuous hikes here, specifically 14ers, and less focus on the town.
COMMUTE
First off, the drive to Leadville is about 1 hr and 40 minutes from Denver. You’ll take 70 west to the Copper Mountain exit, then take that straight into Leadville! It’s a beeeautiful drive and you’ll place a ton of lakes and reservoirs along the way once you’re off the highway.
FUN FACT
Leadville is the highest elevation city in the United States! How cool is that?! It sits at 10,158 feet! It’s a super dog friendly, laid back, non fancy mountain town. We’ve really come to love the vibe there.
BREAKFAST
CITY ON A HILL
Google maps link:https://goo.gl/maps/DkK8RWZM74okqws39
Ok this place is so cute - such a little laid back mountain town coffee shop! I got a latte and it was one of my top 5 ever - so good! I will say Michael got cold brew and didn’t love that, but everything else we’ve had was good! We didn’t actually have breakfast here, but the menu was yummy looking and I’ve heard rave reviews about their breakfast burritos!
My favorite thing might be their merch??? lol. They have CUTE AF hoodies and hats!
HIKE
If you’re looking for something short and sweet - we LOVED Mayflower Gulch. It’s on your way into Leadville, so if you go in town for breakfast, you’ll be heading back towards where you came from to go back to this hike, maybe 15 minutes?
MAYFLOWER GULCH
GOOGLE MAPS LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/GJ614hykKz1tZyME8
DESCRIPTION
The trail takes you to a big open space at the base of various peaks. The backdrop is beautiful and the mountains are super jagged - my favorite kind! If you go in July-mid August, you’ll get to see plenty of wildflowers here! There’s also a pretty stream that runs through, and some abandoned cabins at the top. Most of the hike takes place in a forested area.
LENGTH
Soooo there are various different trails you could do here actually. We parked at the parking lot and walked from there up to the base of the mountains to the cabins. We stopped there because we were short on time and it was worth it! This point is a great one if you don’t want to go far - the view is incredible for very little effort. I thiiiiink it was about 2.5 miles round trip!
Another options is to just drive up to that point we were at. You can take any road legal vehicle on the trail and just drive up instead! We didn’t realize this till after lol but we still would have walked anyway for the exercise.
Here are a couple other trail systems that start here if you’re in the mood for something longer. I’d love to go back and do some of these.
MAYFLOWER GULCH GRAND TRAVERSE
All Trails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mayflower-gulch-grand-traverse?u=i&sh=m9rwmy
ATLANTIC PEAK VIA MAYFLOWER GULCH
All Trails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/atlantic-peak-via-mayflower-gulch-trailhead--2?u=i&sh=m9rwmy
CLINTON GULCH DAM RESERVOIR
GOOGLE MAPS LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/UVn7P3sv4SexbbnS6
This is another short hike nearby with similar views as the hike above. This hike takes you 2.4 miles around the Clinton Gulch reservoir which sits further below the base of the mountains. This hike is more lake focused with distant views of the mountain range, whereas the hike above takes you TO the mountain range. They’re both beautiful! It just depends what you’re in the mood for!
SHOPPING
Honestly, this isn’t a huge town and I would recommend just walking the entire main strip (Harrison St.) and exploring for yourself! BUT, here are some of my favorite shops if you’re looking to pop in real quick for a souvenir and don’t have time to stroll.
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Melanzana - clothing is all made on site. (appointment only, but walk ins are allowed for certain items)
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Alpine Gift Shoppe
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Aspen Traders - tons of realllllly pretty jewelry! Michael’s mom and I each got some beautiful pieces.
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Elevation Goods
DINNER
CASA SANCHEZ
Google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/cwCk7C5q8eLRginz8
Michael has been here and said it was a solid Mexican restaurant! They even gave him a free shot of tequila after hearing he just did a 14er hahaha. Also I dunno about you, but chips and salsa and a margarita after a hike? Yes plz.
MOE’S BBQ
Google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/q8TZxhBHbMjG8EMp7
We went here last time and really enjoyed it! The meat is SO GOOD. The sides were meh, which kinda sucked, but it was the end of the day, so I’m wondering if we just got a bad batch or something. BUT it’s worth going for the meat alone. Also, immediately when we walked up, they gave us a handful of pulled chicken for the dogs, soooooo….we’ll be back lol.
HIGH MOUNTAIN PIES
Google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/tLj96m3DoWeXBEV57
We haven’t been here but we’re going next time. I kept hearing people on the streets talking about it and it has really great reviews! I’m also drooling staring at their pizza pictures omg.
There you have it! A full day yet laid back and easy itinerary for Leadville, Colorado! Have fun :)