“Curiosities of Cripple Creek” Overnight Trek

Nothing could be more atypical than a town that has more than 2,600 miles of mining tunnels beneath it, and that once had a population of more than 50,000 people! Today, Cripple Creek is a charming mountain and gaming town home to 1,155 people, numerous casinos, and a very unique and special heritage railroad, the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge! On this trek, History Colorado invites you to come and explore all that makes Cripple Creek special, curious, and wondrous! We will explore its unique rail history, ride the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge, and explore the history of Cripple Creek and its sister city of Victor. Not only will we explore the curious human history of this area, but we will also dive into the curious natural history as well with our visit to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Once described as more dense than the Petrified Forest National Park, this gem sends us back 30 million years to a time when Colorado was covered in Giant Sequoia trees. From curious human history to curious natural history, we will experience all that makes Cripple Creek one of the most unique Colorado mountain towns.

Registration deadline: 07/01/2026

Itinerary
Day One: Depart from History Colorado Center. Lunch in Colorado Springs, followed by a drive up U.S. Highway 24 into the mountains up Manitou Canyon, tracing the old route of the Colorado Midland Railroad, whose tunnels will be visible off to the left as we travel westward. Arrive at the Chamonix Casino and Hotel, which includes a Swedish-style sauna and steam room, as well as a rooftop heated pool. Group dinner after checking in at the hotel.
Day Two: Breakfast and a train ride on the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. Lunch on your own, followed by a visit to Victor, with several options to walk around the town together, from easy walks to more challenging climbs. The afternoon concludes with an optional walk up from our hotel to a little bar located in the former town hospital, followed by a group dinner at the steakhouse of the casino.
Day Three: Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Explore the easy, short, paved trails around the visitor center, with an optional walk in the park to view the largest tree stumps. Lunch and shopping in Manitou Springs, then return to History Colorado Center in Denver.

Guide: Jack Wheeler-Barajas

Trek = Ambitious

This trek will depart from the History Colorado Center.

Includes coach transportation, two nights’ lodging, all guide and interpretation services, all entry fees, train ticket, one breakfast, and two dinners.

This tour may be wheelchair accessible, pending bus availability. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need a wheelchair-accessible bus, and we will do our best to accommodate.