8-22-04
Teller City, Colorado. Located out on the western slope of the Continental Divide, lies some of Colorado's Ghost Towns. I went out to visit Teller City, and see a ghost town for myself. From Greeley, it was about 150 miles one way, quite a drive, but beautiful all the way. I started out going through the Poudre Canyon on Highway 14. Filled with twists and turns, it isn't a great road for someone in a hurry. Take your time; it's safer for everyone, and a scenic drive to be enjoyed. Following the Cache la Poudre river you will climb higher into the mountains nearing the Divide, and watch as the greenery changes around you. Keep an eye out for the wildlife, I saw antelope, deer, moose, elk, you name it! Coming out of the high peaks, you will have a choice of two routes to take to Teller City. You can follow Hwy 14 to Walden, or you can take a shortcut at Gould, headed west to the town of Rand along county road 27. On the way in, I opted for the paved roads and headed northwest to Walden. At Walden head for Hwy 125, and go south for approximately 25 miles to Rand. Keep on trucking through Rand, and about 2 miles outside of it you will see signs for the Old Homestead turnoff. Turn left here and follow county road 21 for about 12 miles. You will see a few signs for Teller City, but there are a few forks in the road with none. If you come to any, take the better maintained dirt roads. Also if you see any signs marked "Dead End" you may want to go the other way. The dead end roads are scenic, and you will probably see moose, but they are rough and not recommended without an adequate vehicle. As you near the 12 mile mark of the Old Homestead turnoff, keep an eye out on your right for a log cabin. Park there, and across the road is a trail leading you into Teller City. Be sure and stop to read all the information plaques spread throughout the remains, they are quite interesting. As for the town itself, the remains of the cabins are an average of three feet high, with some as much as six feet high. Teller city was an active mining town until the late 1800's when the mines dried out. With them, so did the town. It was virtually abandoned overnight. Left behind were hundreds of cabins, almost thirty saloons, and a large hotel with 40 rooms and two stories tall.
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