Gettin’ Groggy in Creede, CO

I LOVE the little town of Creede, located on Highway 149 near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River; which flows through the San Juan Mountains and San Luis Valley. Since1840 Creede has a rich history of mineral mining (gold, silver, copper, etc) and the remnants of those mines and their ghost towns are very well preserved for us to enjoy. At the height of the silver boom around 1890 the towns population exploded to 10,000 people. The city was alive with settlers and miners, saloons and gambling and in its day, some notorious outlaws lived (and were killed) in Creede, such as Bob Ford and Soapy Smith. After the silver boom, Creede continued to mine lead and zinc until 1985 with a population of 600 residents. In 2023, the population has dwindled to about 300 people but Creede is as exciting as it ever was, with lots of fun things to do! Top things to do in Creede, Colorado (uncovercolorado.com)

Creede by Cy Warman

Here’s a land where all are equal—
Of high or lowly birth—
A land where men make millions,
Dug from the dreary earth.
Here the meek and mild-eyed burro
On mineral mountains feed—
It’s day all day, in the day-time,
And there is no night in Creede.

The cliffs are solid silver,
With wond’rous wealth untold;
And the beds of running rivers
Are lined with glittering gold.
While the world is filled with sorrow,
And hearts must break and bleed—
It’s day all day in the day-time,
And there is no night in Creede

When we visited Creede, it was a beautiful late September day and the aspen leaves were just starting to turn yellow, it was misty… and rainy… and dreamy! Our first stop was Bachelor Loop Historic Driving Tour – a 17 mile loop through an old historic mining district above Creede. With 16 stops, the loop winds through the north canyon along West Willow Creek, which is a narrow steep climbing dirt road, but a 2 wheel vehicle can make it OK (although you will need a 4 wheel drive vehicle if you want to drive the more challenging East Willow Creek route). You can also bike it if your INSANE. On Bachelor Loop, you will see many old mines such as Bachelor Mine and Bulldog Mine. At the top of the loop, you will arrive at Last Chance Mine Last Chance Mine – An 1891 silver mine with rock and mineral collecting, and a museum. Open daily in the summer months, this historic rock mine is still in operation, with underground mine tours, museum and ROCKS…. Glorious ROCKS!! There is a reason this is called Mineral County! A dude is stationed at the entrance to give information and help guide you into a tiny parking lot literally on the edge of a very steep cliff (which you don’t know until you get out of your jeep and look over the edge) YIKES!! Expect no frills, no Starbucks, porta potties, and a noticeably leaning old mine building that is a jewelry shop (that has really cool stuff)!! Walk around and take pics because you are literally on the side of a mountain at 10,600′ elevation. Look through the many bins of rocks and minerals… I found two big pieces of petrified wood and a rose quartz for $6 (what a deal)! Once you leave the Last Chance Mine and head back down the loop, you will find yourself in the town’s old cemetery… which is beautiful. Walk around and read some of the headstones, they are fascinating.

After Bachelor Loop we went straight to Spare Keg Brewerks in downtown Creede – the ONLY brewery in town and the BEST BEER we’ve had for the entire trip! I had the peanut butter stout (NOW were talkin! I’m so happy I could die) and my friend Greg, had a Kolsch that was most excellent. We sat at the bar and met Mark Martinez and Derek Heersink, the owners of Spare Keg and the Aspen Inn, an adorable boutique inn located above the Spare Keg. We also met Rhonda Davis, the Manager of the Aspen Inn – these guys are as nice as they can possibly be. We also met KODY the “bouncer” at Spare Keg, a Great Dane mix who was rescued by Mark and seriously the sweetest dog I’ve ever known, he guards the brewery entrance and sometimes keeps a watch at the outside peoples walking by OR just takes a nap. Its all good.