Nestled in a stunning bowl at 12,000 feet, the ramshackle ruins of the former Boston Mining Camp located in Mayflower Gulch stand as a testament to the silver mining era in nearby Leadville, Colorado. Now a present-day ghost town, the cabin remnants were once prized homes to the hardy souls who braved weather extremes in an effort to extract gold from the clutches of the earth. Avalanches, howling wind, and bitter temperatures were a common occurrence at this high elevation location.
Buzzing with excitement in 1884, the Boston Mining Camp in scenic Mayflower Gulch became home to several lode mines after a thick vein of gold was discovered near Fletcher Mountain. The Boston Mining Camp boomed practically overnight but busted just as quickly after the disappointing discovery that the ore vein lacked purity. The hardy miners scattered to follow other prosperous mining claims in nearby towns. The Boston Mining Camp lay forgotten, abandoned in Mayflower Gulch for decades. The vacant, crumbling shells of the boarding house and cabin structures stand as a reminder of the lost hopes and dreams of the former residents of Mayflower Gulch.
Today, one can easily hike Mayflower Gulch to the ghost town of the Boston Mining Camp by following the former wagon road to the townsite.
From the unmarked paved parking lot at 10,996 feet, visitors can follow the dusty trail through a dense evergreen forest to the scenic bowl of Mayflower Gulch. Approximately one mile from the trailhead, mining history appears along the way in the form of a collapsed cabin on the left and the foundations of an ore shoot on the right.
Scenic views begin to open in the trees past the ore shoot.
The picturesque site of the Boston Mining camp is located 1.8 miles from the trailhead at 12,415 feet.
Although the roof has long ago collapsed on the boardinghouse, its thick-walled structure still stands proudly in the shadow of Fletcher Mountain.
Several cabin ruins, some in better condition than others, dot the surrounding meadows.
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery in winter and consisting of a stunning wildflower gallery in the summer, Mayflower Gulch is indeed awe-inspiring and worthy of a visit.
Mayflower Gulch is an incredibly scenic area to explore in all seasons. Winter is a great time to snowshoe or cross-country ski the easy route to the Boston Mine Ruins. Beyond the cabins, the risk of avalanche danger does tend to increase so use caution. In the summer, one can follow the old wagon road past the Boston Mine Ruins up Gold Hill or explore the back bowls. Hiking opportunities abound in Mayflower Gulch.
To visit Mayflower Gulch, take the Copper Mountain exit off I-70. Follow Highway 91 South for approximately 5.3 miles to the unmarked, paved parking lot of Mayflower Gulch located on the left side of the highway. Follow the old wagon road to the natural amphitheater of Mayflower Gulch.
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