CARSON AND OLD CARSON—COLORADO'S WELL PRESERVED GHOST TOWNS
Carson is well known for being one of the most preserved ghost towns in Colorado. It is also known for its inaccessible location. The Federal Government has been very instrumental in the preservation of many of the buildings in Carson and the road crew of Hinsdale County has made it much more accessible. The road has been improved to the point where a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle can make the trip with no problem. It is also a great ATV road. To get to Carson you go about eleven miles out County Road 30 from Lake City and take the Wagner Gulch Road into some of the most spectacular scenery in our area.
The town of Carson was founded in 1881 at 11,600 feet by a gentlemen named Christopher Carson. The claim was named the Bonanza King and was primarily a claim looking for silver. Carson was a viable little town with a hotel, livery stable, restaurants and many other supporting establishments. This town sits near the Continental Divide and is on the Atlantic side of the divide. Carson was sometimes called Bachelor Cabins because many of the miners who lived there worked in the Bachelor mine. Much of Carson still remains and many locals feel the preservation is due to the fact it stays frozen much of the year.
The road to Carson is a typical mountain road and the first mile or so is a little narrow and you need to use caution when meeting another vehicle. Once past this narrow section it is a beautiful scenic adventure all the way to the old ghost town. The old buildings are very interesting and there is much to see in the entire area. Be sure to take plenty of bread for the Grey Jays or as we know them the “Camp Robbers”. With a little patience they will take the bread from your hands.
Carson and Old Carson sit on the Continental Divide and Carson is located on the Atlantic side of the divide and Old Carson sits just over the mountain top on the Pacific side. It is thought that Old Carson was established before Carson. Old Carson is not nearly as preserved as Carson but is still very interesting in its own way. You will find yourself wishing the old buildings could talk and tell stories of the old days and the hardships of the long cold winters at this altitude.
Many years ago when we came to Lake City on vacation we always wanted to see Carson but the road was impassable. We finally decided to walk all the way. It was an all day adventure but the memories were well worth the effort. Carson in those days had not been preserved in any way and some of the buildings gone today were still standing. The one I remember the most was the old livery stable. It was leaning to the point you were a little reluctant to go inside. Your imagination kicked in and I swear you could hear and smell the old animals of yesteryear.
If in Lake City a visit to Carson and Old Carson would be well worth your time. Plan to spend the day and take a sack lunch and explore the old building in Carson as well as on the road up there.