Lake City Colorado History and Recreational ActivitiesLake City Colorado was incorporated in 1884 and resides in Hinsdale County, the least populated and more isolated of counties in Colorado. Like many towns located in Western Colorado the first inhabitants were the Ute Indians followed by fur trappers and then by prospectors looking for gold. In 1860, Charles Baker, an early well known prospector, traveled through this area following an old Ute Indian trail up the Lake Fork of the Gunnison and on over Cinnamon pass. He found some placer gold near Baker's Park, the present day site of Silverton, which started a small rush till the placer gold petered out. The Hayden Survey party of 1871 also came through here looking for a railroad route to cross the Continental Divide. But it was not until Enos Hotchkiss was hired by Otto Mears to build a road from Saguache to Howardsville where he found gold near present day Lake City Colorado. He stacked his claim, the Hotchkiss Mine, that later became known as the Golden Fleece mine. He stayed and as more people heard of the discovery, the town began to grow as more buildings were built and more mines were discovered. He became one of the founders of this community. Soon, Lake City became not only important as an access point into and out of the San Juan mountains, but because of several important mines near it's location, and the roads that connected the other mining communities with each other. People came here as the start of their journey into the San Juans for sight seeing, bringing in supplies and transporting ore. Because of the ruggedness of these mountains, there were only a few ways people could enter into the Howardsville and Silverton area. The early routes were over Stony Pass or Cinnamon Pass to Animas Forks. Poughkeepsie Gulch and down Cement Creek was another way to go although very difficult. Lake City Colorado still had its share of prostitutes, gambling and drinking during its hay day but there was also a different class of people with families and more traditional values. They viewed this town as a place to settle and schools and churches soon came and with them a more civilized atmosphere. Group activities helped to keep the citizens out of trouble. After the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1893, Lake City Colorado quickly began to fad as people left for greener pastures. Its close proximity to Lake San Cristobal, one of Colorado's largest natural lakes made Lake City Colorado an easy name choice for this scenic town. This lake was formed by the Slumgullion Earthflow Slide through snow melt and rains acting on the volcanic ash or tuff, causing it to flow into the valley bellow causing the Lake Fork of the Gunnison to back up about seven hundred years ago. Another flow started three hundred years ago and is still active today. In 1874 a man by the name of Alfred Packer came to this area guiding a group of five prospectors and became lost, ran out of provisions and became snowed in here during the winter. Supposedly Alfred came back to camp while out on a scouting trip and found one of the men cooking strips of human flesh on a fire and attacked Alfred with a hatchet. Alfred said that he shot the man in self defense but his story was not believed. Latter he confessed to killing and eating the men. They have a placard with the names of the people involved on what is now known as Cannibal Plateau overlooking Lake San Cristoble. Mr.Packer has become quit famous even after his death with restaurants, rock groups, movies, all named after him or dedicated to his acts of cannibalism. Lake City Colorado has a somewhat different look to it than most other mining towns on the Alpine Loop Trail. Located at the confluence of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison and Henson Creek the town is more spread out and has many large old cottonwood trees. There is an almost rural feel to it till you look up and see that your surrounded by tall peaks. Located at 8,671 ft.and surrounded by several 14,000 ft. peaks, there is much to do and see in this area. Access to Lake City Colorado is either on highway 149 also known as the Silver Thread Scenic Byway or from the Alpine Loop Trail or 20 RD leading out of town. This town is the official beginning and end of the famous Alpine Loop Trail, which connects with Silverton, Ouray and many old ghost towns and mines along the way. The entire loop is about sixty five miles in length with many side trails going off from it. To just drive the Loop takes about six or eight hours so give yourself plenty of time to explore and take pictures. 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATV's, or dirt bikes are recommended on these trails as high ground clearance and good traction are necessary. Most roads are rocky and can be quite steep and narrow in places. Because of the popularity of these trails in summer always keep an eye out for wide spots in case you need to move over to let people by. Some spots can be tough on a dirt bike because of the steepness and loose rocks. In spring when these roads are first opened they are plowed with caterpillars and snow banks can be very high making you feel as though you are driving in a tunnel. Make sure that your tires are in good shape as the sharp, broken rocks that make up these trails can easily cut or puncture them. Both Henson Creek and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison offer good fly fishing and Lake San Cristobal offers boat fishing as well. Stream fish include browns, cutthroats, brookies and rainbows. Hunting in this area can be very good depending on the weather. Animals will vacate when snow gets to deep down to lower elevations. 76 takes several points to draw as it is a quality hunt area. For more information on Lake City Colorado go to the Lake City Chamber of Commerce.
Towns of Western Colorado
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The outdoors activities in this area like hunting and fishing as well as the promotion of the old mining roads as jeep roads for sight seeing has helped save this town.
