Fourth of July Mine

Fourth of July Mine

Located in the southern part of the popular Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, this trail is a gorgeous high-country flower hike. Early Colorado miners used this trail that was originally established by early Native Americans as a route to cross the imposing Continental Divide. Fourth of July Mine never amounted to much, but its existence is still marked by a huge rusting boiler. Generally the well-trodden trail rises at a steady incline. It begins through spruce-fir forest, then shifts into a more open mode, exposing steep flowery slopes and finally flattening out at treeline. Along the way, stirred by a number of waterways, approximately 90 wildflower species color the magnificent mountainscape. Wildflowers at this elevation are almost exclusively perennial, which means bloom times vary. To catch spring and summer bloomers overlapping, visit in the third week of July, which typically is prime time. Wildflower Alert: This trail provides maximum high-country color in late July.

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