Teller County Road 1
Ghost Towns & Gold Mine Roads
The backroads of Teller County around Cripple Creek are a time capsule of Colorado's gold rush era. County Road 1 and its web of connecting mining district roads wind through a landscape of abandoned mine shafts, derelict head frames, ghost towns, and high-altitude meadows at nearly 10,000 feet. The Shelby F-250 handles this historic terrain with ease while the views of Pikes Peak from the west are unlike anything you'll see from the city.
The Route
Cripple Creek → CR 1 → Divide → HWY 24 return — ~40 miles backroads, full day
Start: Cripple Creek (9,494 ft)
Drive up via Highway 67 from Woodland Park — itself a great drive through the mountains. Cripple Creek's Victorian downtown is worth a walk before heading out on the backroads. Gold was discovered here in 1890, and the district produced $800 million in ore.
Teller County Road 1 (Miles 0–10)
Head north from Cripple Creek on CR 1 — a wide, well-graded dirt road that climbs through the heart of the old mining district. Abandoned mine structures appear constantly, and the views of Pikes Peak from this angle are extraordinary.
Goldfield Ghost Town (Mile 5)
A near-ghost town with just a handful of permanent residents remaining. The old schoolhouse and Victorian commercial buildings are remarkably intact. Pull over and explore — no fences, no entry fees.
Bull Hill Road Fork (Mile 10)
A network of mining roads fans out from here. The Shelby F-250 can explore miles of additional routes — some climbing to ridges above 10,500 feet with 360-degree views of the Rockies.
Divide via CR 1 (Mile 40)
CR 1 eventually connects to Divide on HWY 24. Stop at Pikes Peak Brewing for a local craft beer before the easy 45-minute drive back down to Colorado Springs.
What Makes This Special
Drive Through Colorado History
The Cripple Creek mining district is one of Colorado's most fascinating landscapes. Book the Shelby F-250 and explore roads built for gold — now yours to drive.