Creede is a great day trip from Pagosa Springs as it is only an hour and 15 minute drive. The drive itself is beautiful. You will pass Treasure Falls, the scenic Overlook, and cross the Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass. Allow some time to stop at these points of interest on the way. While in town, be sure to visit the many art galleries and shops on Main Street, and if time allows, catch a performance at the famous Creede Repertory Theater.
Creede, Colorado, located in Mineral County, is a popular location to visit during your time in Colorado. Silver ore was discovered in the area in the mid-1800’s, and in the late 1880’s mines were built to extract the silver ore. The population of Creede Colorado grew quickly as mining operations increased. In just two years time, the population of 600 in 1889 grew to 10,000 by 1891. After the price of silver collapsed, mining efforts transitioned to lead and zinc. Surprisingly, the mining operations in Creede operated until 1985. The Bachelor Loop Tour described below, will give you a glimpse of life during the mining boom in Creede.
Bachelor Loop Tour
The Bachelor Loop Tour is a 17 mile self-guided drive through the many mining areas that were around Creede. The loop begins on the north end of Main Street. Be sure to stop at the Creede Historical Museum and Underground Mining Museum. You can purchase a guidebook of the Bachelor Loop Tour in the giftshop. The tour travels north towards West Willow Creek to the Equity Mine. From there the tour route loops back south towards Creede on the Bachelor Road.
There are 16 numbered stops along the route. Keep an eye out for the numbered pick and axe signs. Refer to the Bachelor Loop Tour guidebook to learn about the significance of each numbered stop.
Creede Cemetery and Bob Ford’s Grave
Two underrated stops on the loop are the last two, stops 15 and 16. Stop 15, which provides a glimpse of gravestones from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, is the Creede Cemetery. The final stop, number 16 on the tour brings you to Bob Ford’s gravesite. Most people do not recognize the name Bob Ford, however, almost everyone knows Jesse James. Bob Ford is famous for shooting and killing Jesse James on April 3rd, 1882 in Missouri. In order to escape the James gang, Bob Ford meandered his way around until he eventually settled at the Silver Camp in Creede Colorado, where he opened a gambling and dance hall called the “Exchange.” A friend of Jesse James, Ed O’Kelly, caught up with Bob Ford in Creede and shot and killed him at the the “Exchange.” You can read a more detailed account of the story in the guidebook.