Experience the best of Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs sits in the narrow valley of Clear Creek in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies, at about 2,300 metres. Gold was found here in January 1859, the first important strike in Colorado, and the town grew into a mining centre whose brick storefronts still line Miner Street. Tunnels, mills and mine dumps are scattered through the hills, and a museum and old mine tours explain the story of the gold and silver rush.

A scenic byway climbs from the valley toward Mount Blue Sky, a peak of more than 4,300 metres that was long known as Mount Evans. The hot springs that gave the town part of its name still draw bathers, and Clear Creek is rafted in early summer. The narrow-gauge Georgetown Loop railway lies farther up the valley, and Denver is a short drive east.

Old brick storefronts hold diners, bakeries and craft breweries, and mountain cooking runs to green chili, burgers and pizza. Summers are cool and bright at this height, the aspens turn gold in September, and winters bring snow.