Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. As automobiles became more and more popular in the 20th century, so did highway systems. It was on June 29, 1956, that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act that paved the way for safer roads. Literally. Today, we are going to travel through Larimer, Boulder, and Gilpin Counties on one of Colorado’s famous highways. 

The Peak to Peak begins as Colorado Highway 7 in Estes Park. Colorado Highway 7 is 81.64 miles long, but only the northwestern segment is part of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. The entirety of Colorado Highway 7 was officially established in the 1920s. The route was paved from Estes Park to Lyons in 1936. 

Our first stop along the Peak to Peak Highway is one of Colorado’s oldest and longest mining camps: the town of Ward. The Ward Mining District was organized in September of 1861, which was first called Columbia, but later changed in honor of a discoverer of one of the early mines in the district, Calvin Ward. 

A few of the many sights to see along Highway 72 (aka the Peak to Peak Highway), are the Saint Vrain Creek (often known as the Saint Vrain River), James Creek, and Left Hand Creek; all connecting to one another at some point. Left Hand Creek was named after Chief Niwot, meaning left-handed, of the Arapaho tribe. During the gold rush of 1859, Left Hand Canyon was the site of an early discovery of gold at Gold Hill. 

One of the unincorporated communities you drive through on the Peak to Peak is Sugarloaf, sometimes spelled Sugar Loaf. The community, in Boulder County, has been referenced in historical records dating back to 1868. The name came from the term, Sugar Loaf, referring to a mining district, or multiple mining claims. 

Another attraction off of our local scenic byway is the very popular Mud Lake. At one point in time, it was called Muskee Lake, and thought to be a crater formed by a meteorite. However, in 2001, it was concluded that it is more likely of human origin. 

The place most well-known right on the Peak to Peak Highway is the town of Nederland. It sits in a valley created by a glacier thousands of years ago. The Ute and Arapaho tribes were Nederland’s first inhabitants. Chipeta Park is named after Chief Ouray’s wife. During the 1850s, the town was a trading post between the Ute and European settlers. It became a mining town shortly after. 

Passing Coal Creek Canyon Road, we reach Rollinsville, which was named after John Q.A. Rollins. Rollins was the Colorado Pioneer that built the original road over Rollins Pass. Though it was first used as early as 1862, it wasn’t upgraded to a toll road until 1873. By the 1880s, Rollins Pass was changed to a railroad route. 

Next on our stop is the small city of Black Hawk; a historic mining settlement founded in 1859. It took its name from an early mill used to break ore. In 1868, the town was called the City of Mills, influenced by the tons of ore poured in from the water-powered stamp mills. By 1872, the Colorado Central Railway stretched its line to Black Hawk, creating an important link to the nation’s railroad networks. 

Towards the end, or the beginning, depending where you start, of the Peak to Peak Highway, we find ourselves in Clear Creek Canyon. Originally formed deep beneath ancient mountain ranges 25 million years ago. The foothills and valleys that surround Clear Creek Canyon were the hunting grounds and travel routes for the Arapaho and Ute peoples. 

There is a beauty not too far from where we live. Fifty-five miles between Estes Park and into the town of Black Hawk (and some parts of Clear Creek), filled with sights of the Front Range Rocky Mountains is the oldest scenic byway in Colorado. Mining towns were a large influence to what is now one of Colorado’s most popular scenic byways (especially, during Autumn). A beauty that was established in 1918 and has been the path for adventure-seekers, locals and tourists. This is your Peak to Peak Highway. 

(Originally published in the March 11, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)