The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Rush is a significant part of Colorado's history.  Begun in 1890 with the discovery of gold by cowboy/prospector Bob Womack, the Cripple Creek - Victor mining district was Colorado's largest producer of gold.  By 1893, 5,000 people were living in Cripple Creek and seven short years later, the population had grown to 20,000.  

Located in the heart of the mining district, Victor was always a miner's community as opposed to its flashier, wealthier neighbor, Cripple Creek.  Founded in 1893 by Frank and Harry Woods, Victor lies beneath Battle Mountain, site of the District's richest mines.  And the mines were not just found on the hillsides.  In 1896, the Woods brothers were digging a foundation for a hotel they were building in town when they discovered a rich vein of gold.  They scrapped plans for the hotel and instead built the Gold Coin Mine. 

Between 1890 and 1899, the mines surrounding Victor produced $16 million in gold.  Today, these mines and mills are still visible and accessible to the public along the Trails of Gold.  

Extensive interpretive signs along the trails and mine sites provide historical information about the mining district.  There are also driving and walking tour brochures available. Trail maps provide locations and interpretation. 

Trails of Gold is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. The main portions/attractions of the sites are ADA accessible. Parking areas are provided at the trailheads.  

Fun Facts

• Although the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush was named after Pike's Peak, gold was not actually discovered there until 1890. 

• The Cripple Creek Victor Mining District was Colorado's largest producer of gold ore and rivaled the amount of gold discovered during the California Gold Rush.

•Victor was known as the "City of Mines" because the largest and richest gold mines of the Cripple Creek Mining District were located above City on Battle Mountain.  

• Anglo Gold continues to mine gold from the mountains surrounding Victor.

• In 1914, miners working at the 1200-foot level of the Cresson Mine (now Anglo Gold) found the legendary Cresson Vug, a pear-shaped cavity that produced $1.2 million in gold in four weeks.

Other Places to visit while there

Victor Downtown Historic District
Cripple Creek District Museum
Lowell Thomas Museum

Best Time to Visit
Saturday, May 23 9:30 a.m.
Season Opening of the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum 
Exhibits
Gold Panning, Stepping Off Point for the Trails of Gold

Byway
Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway