Iowa Hill Guided Snowshoe Tour
Join one of our local experts for a tour through the historic Iowa Hill mine site. Enter the circa 1868 restored miners' boarding house, see mining artifacts and interpretive signs, and find out what mining was all about in Breckenridge. This is an easy hike, approximately one mile in length one way.
The Iowa Hill trail winds through more than 145 years of mining history. Dating back to the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, virtually all of the key innovations in placer mining - pan, rocker box, long tom, sluice box, undercurrent sluice, water ditch, water flume, “giant,” hydraulic derrick, shafting, and bank blasting - occurred on Iowa Hill. Today, this extraordinary site boasts one of the best hydraulic mining exhibits in the West.
This is an easy tour, approximately one mile round trip. Please dress warmly, tour takers should plan to wear ski clothing, warm boots (ideally waterproof), a hat and gloves or mittens. Bring water for every member of your group.
All tour takers receive FREE admission to one of our museums.
Cost
$25/adults, $15 for children 12 and under, $5 discount if you have your own snowshoes. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 970-453-9767 ext 7. Must provide 24hr notice to receive refund on cancellations.
Schedule
Tours are offered on Tuesdays at 1:00PM & Thursdays at 10:00AM and private tours can also be arranged.
Directions
From the Breckenridge Welcome Center head north on Hwy 9. Turn left at Valley Brook Rd. Turn right on Airport Rd. The trail head is a 1/2 mile up on the left hand side. Look for the Iowa Hill Trailhead sign on the left side of the road, just past the Town Public Works facilities.
