Maryland Mountain

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Historical Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This hike has it all! A moderate 1.3 mile trail to the summit of Maryland Mountain through some of the historic mining sites of Black Hawk's gold rush past. Climb up a forested trail and be treated 360 degree views of the Continental Divide, Black Hawk and the Front Range.

Park at the Hidden Treasure Trailhead and take the bridge to the start of the Historical Glipin Tramway (the only two-foot narrow-gauge railroad in Colorado in the 1800s). You'll have half a mile on this gentle gravel grade before you turn right on Summit Trail.

A true hiking trail that gets right to the point, summiting. It rises over 900 feet in 1.3-miles on the southern-facing areas of the mountain. Designated hiking-only, you'll find a truly enjoyable hike or run up a well-built trail that offers great views of Black Hawk first and then the wonderful western view-shed of the Colorado Rockies. Near the top it joins with Easy Money for the final push to the true summit.

To come back, take Easy Money (a popular trail for mountain bikes climbing to the downhill bike trails) back down, past Claim Jumper, past Millsite Trail, all the way to Paymaster. Paymaster winds through more mining sites before rejoining the Historic Glipin Tramway. You'll follow the tramway back to Hidden Treasure Trailhead.

Like nearby Central City, Black Hawk got its start in 1859 after gold was discovered in Gregory Gulch. Black Hawk was known as the "City of Mills". Its location at the bottom of the gulch meant more water, and water was required to run the mills and smelters that separated the gold from the ore. Hence, Black Hawk took its place as the industrial center of the district. The area flourished during the mining boom of the late 19th century following the construction of mills and a railroad link to Golden. Black Hawk was hit particularly hard by the downturn of the mining industry. The combination of poor economic conditions and recurring floods resulted in severe deterioration of the mining-era town. In 1991, legislation was enacted to allow gambling in Black Hawk, and the town was saved from the anvil of time.