Colorado Ghost Town Books/Maps
Swandyke Colorado Ghost Town
Sure glad I don't have to wear that boot.
You can find Swandyke high in the mountains, about 11,000 ft, up a rough 4X4 trail close to the continental divide. Follow the road and it joins Deer Creek with gorgeous 360 degree views. But that will be added to the site later.
Sometimes there is a place you read about and just have to see. This was one of those for me. I finally made it in September of 2004. I first read about Swandyke in 1998. The town was founded by a boy from Ohio and was late in the gold rush era. Some people say it was around 1897. Hard to believe, after walking around the area, that at one time there was a hotel here that would accommodate about 75 people. Claims are that the gold at about 13,000 ft was surface gold. The gold was found in veins of quartz. Guess I better go back next summer and look a little closer than I did.
Rocky Mountain Profiles Colorado Ghost Towns and Colorado Photos – Niwot Colorado