SPONSORED CONTENT / Locals Love Leadville 9 REASONS LOCALS LOVE LEADVILLE & SO WILL YOU 1 IT’S THE EPITOME OF COLORADO HIGH COUNTRY. At 10,152 feet above sea level, Leadville is the highest incor-porated city in North America. Colorado’s two tallest fourteeners — mountains higher than 14,000 feet — tower above the area, including 14,433-foot Mt. Elbert and 14,421-foot Mt. Massive. Twin Lakes , located adjacent to the state’s two largest glacial lakes in the shadow of Mt. Elbert, is a popular spot for photog-raphers and trophy-seeking lake-trout anglers. With no light pollution, the twinkling stars of the Milky Way are in full view from the top of nearby Mt. Bump. Its half-mile interpretive trail is even ADA-accessible. A drive on the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway is an excellent way to capture the area’s best views. The 82-mile route traverses 10,424-foot Tennessee Pass and famous 12,095-foot Independence Pass, affording sights of sky-scraping peaks, sprawling valleys and reflective lakes. 2 ONLY-IN-COLORADO OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES ARE PLENTIFUL IN THE AREA. While many ramblers journey to the area to summit the fourteen-ers, there are hiking trails for all abilities . Hikers and bikers can choose to conquer a section of the Colorado Trail, a 500-mile route stretching between Denver and Durango, near Twin Lakes; or hop on the popular Mineral Belt Trail , which winds through conifer woodlands, aspen groves and wildflower meadows. 3 IT’S NOT JUST A SUMMER DESTINATION. More than 100 miles of groomed, multiuse winter trails through forests, glades and mining relics crisscross Leadville and Twin Lakes and are perfect for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and fat bik-ing . Other possibilities for winter fun include snowmobiling, ice skating, sledding and backcoun-try-hut trips in the famed 10th Mountain Division Hut system. Twin Lakes lunker lake trout Flanked by the highest peaks in the Rockies and immersed in colorful mining and frontier history, laid-back Leadville and Twin Lakes offer an abundance of opportunities for visitors to be in their element — whether you’re seeking year-round recreation, ravishing mountain scenery or a peek into the genuine Wild West. Leadville is the site of the 2020 Dion Snowshoes U.S. National Snowshoe Championships , with races and events for pros and amateurs alike. The qualifier is Jan. 25 and the main events are Feb. 28 through Mar. 1, 2020. If downhill skiing is your prefer-ence, Ski Cooper receives an average of 260 inches of snowfall a year and boasts 470 skiable acres just 10 minutes from Lead-ville. It’s a favorite for its all-natural snow, beginner to advanced terrain and affordability. This year brings additional lift-accessed expert terrain packed with tree and glade skiing. And, Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours takes freshie-seekers up along the Continental Divide to experience amazing powder. 4 THE TRAIN WHISTLE STILL BLOWS IN LEADVILLE. From Memorial Day weekend until October, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad winds visitors on an excursion through swaths of unscathed wilderness. Spot deer or marmots as the stunning Fat biking in the shadow of Mt. Massive Gold Medal fishing on the Arkansas River Ski-joring first full weekend in March Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway 58
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