Apex was a mining camp that quickly grew during its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was considered the capital of the Pine Creek Mining District in the 1800s.
Today several historic structures remain in this Gilpin County gem. It’s accessible after the winter snow melts off the roads in the high country, usually around April.
History
Richard Mackey prospected the area in the 1870s and found gold. The claim was then sold and resold until a Mountz purchased it. Needing money, he found a partner and went to work.
After mining out the easiest gold, his partner vanished on him. He ran out of money again and found a rich ore vein with his last two sticks of dynamite. The town quickly sprung up.
At its peak, Apex had around 1000 residents and more than one hundred businesses on Main Street. Stagecoaches and daily mail service passed through town.
Residents had a few saloons and dance halls for entertainment, a newspaper called “The Apex Pine Cone, a general store, a post office, and hotels. The schoolhouse is visible today across from the false-fronted hotel.
Two fires decimated much of the original town. There are a handful of buildings scattered around. A few summer cabins exist today, and one year-round resident, the “Mayor” of Apex.
Getting There
From Black Hawk – Take CO 119 toward Nederland and look for Apex Valley road off of Colorado 119. This graded dirt road will lead you all the way to the townsite.
From here the road forks, leading to Elk Park Road on the left, which passes several cabins and a year-round resident house. If you continue on this road, the route gets steep and rocky, requiring 4×4. It leads to former mining camps on Pile Hill: Nugget, American City, and Kingston, then descends into Mammoth Gulch.
The right fork leads to Main Street in Apex, the hotel, and the schoolhouse. Further, it ascends Dakota Hill, where little remains.
Nevadaville is another ghost town in the area.
Details
Nearby Towns:
County: Gilpin County
Roads: 2WD
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall