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WESTON PASS
About a century ago, a man (we’ll call Jack) with a string
of jacks (jackasses) was going over Weston Pass when he was stopped by a
friendly stranger (we’ll call Miner).
Miner asked Jack if he could hire his jacks to carry some ore. Jack was happy for the opportunity to make a
few dollars so he accepted.
Miner asked Jack to climb aboard one of the jacks and then
blindfolded him. For a long while, Miner
led the jacks over a winding trail where he met another miner. The two of them laded the jacks with ore,
then led Jack and his jacks back to the pass road where they removed his
blindfold.
After that day, Jack made the same trip every week. Each time he was blindfolded so he would not
learn the location of the mine. Each
time, his jacks hauled out a load of rich ore.
Then one day, Miner showed up, but the other miner did
not. Miner seemed nervous and paid Jack
a nice bonus at the end of the trip.
Miner was never seen again.
Jack went looking for the mine, but the hard rock surface
left no evidence of his earlier trips.
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The mine is still out there, probably hidden by brush or maybe even
caved in. We expect the missing miner
may still be in there guarding his ore. Maybe you'll be the lucky one that finds it.
Weston Pass opens early every year for the same reason it
was popular as a supply route to Leadville years ago. It tops out at just 11,921 feet. Our trail scouts tell us it is open this year
already, but the west side is very muddy and slippery.
The scenery along the way is very nice, especially on the
west side and there are old mining shacks to explore. National Forest Campgrounds and remote camp
sites are plentiful for those of you who would like to get some fresh air this
weekend.
Except for the mud, Weston Pass is an easy road. It’s a
great place to take Grandma and kids for a picnic. If you don’t like mud, just wait a few more
weeks and it will all be dried out.
To get there, take Route 24 south from Leadville for about five
miles. At that point, Route 24 swings
right. If you continue straight, you
will be on a gravel road marked as Lake County 7. Stay on the main road and you
will soon be in the canyon. After you go
over the pass, stay on the main road all the way to Route 285.
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