24 Hours in Creede

WHILE THE 2019 VISITORS’ GUIDE TO CREEDE AND MINERAL COUNTY’S CLAIM THAT IT IS “THE LAST GREAT PLACE” MAY BE A TOUCH HYPERBOLIC, THERE IS NO DENYING THAT CREEDE IS STILL SOMETHING OF A HIDDEN GEM. SMALL ENOUGH TO SEE MOST OF TOWN ON A FLYING VISIT, THERE IS ALSO PLENTY FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS TO ENJOY THANKS TO CREEDE BEING NESTLED AMONG ALMOST TWO MILLION ACRES OF RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST

Bob Seago Photography

7 AM | COFFEE & BREAKFAST

Cafe Ole on Main Street is a down-to-earth spot and perfect for breakfast. People rave about their freshly baked pastries, especially the cinnamon rolls, and the sandwiches are somewhat revered thanks to them being so generously filled.

9 AM | FALL FOLIAGE FIX

Kara Brittain at B4Studio

The aforementioned two million acres of public land that envelopes Creede offer a multitude of options for outdoorsy types, but during autumn it is the changing of the leaves that has to be seen to be believed.

There are plenty of options for other outdoor pursuits, too, including fall fishing (the colors are said to be particularly good around Rio Grande Reservoir and Road Canyon Reservoir) and there are a few outfitters and guides in town if you either don’t know the area well or just want a guided trip.

Rio Grande Angler and Ramble House are both on Main Street.

And if you don’t want to or can’t get out into nature on your own two feet, the fall colors can be seen from the comfort of your car along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. The 120- mile journey ventures from Gunnison to South Park (or vice versa), but heading south towards South Fork from Creede will see you pass Wheeler Geologic Monument. Be sure to stop and see North Clear Creek Falls, too, which is along State Highway 149.

Kara Brittain at B4Studio

A different drive that will delight those who love incredible scenery and the mining history of the region is the 17-mile Bachelor Loop Historic Tour. The self-guided loop winds its way through the historic mining district above Creede. Former mines and long-since abandoned ghost towns line the route while the West Willow Creek route takes you through bristlecone pine forests. There are two routes, with the east route being specified for four-wheel drive vehicles only.

A guide book is available for purchase at the Creede Visitor Center with information about interpretive signs that are found along the route.

12 PM | POST-LEAF PEEPING PROVISIONS

Freemons

After a few hours of even modest activity, however you choose to do it, head to Kip’s Grill on Main Street. By all accounts, Kip’s is THE place in town for tacos, but they also serve Tex-Mex dishes and all round comfort food. The chipotle bacon shrimp tacos sum up Kip’s taco philosophy while the smothered green chili cheeseburger is a glutton’s delight.

Depending on your energy levels, you could opt to take a guided horseback ride at Freemon’s Guest Ranch 20 miles outside Creede in the direction of North Clear Creek Falls before having lunch there. We’ve heard the hamburgers at the ranch restaurant are particularly good. See page 30 for more horseback riding opportunities.

2 PM | MINING MUSEUM

In much the same way as so many places in Colorado, Creede’s history is inextricably linked with mining. With almost 100 years of mining history, Creede’s Underground Mining Museum was, somewhat appropriately, blasted out of solid rock. Built as much to tell the mining history of Creede as it was to show how a mine worked, the complex has a 600 foot drift (a near-horizontal passageway that follows the bed or vein of ore) with 22 displays, a gift shop and the Creede Community Center.

3 PM | MAIN STREET USA

Denise Chambers / Miles

Creede’s postcard perfect downtown is a beautiful place to spend a few hours strolling and shopping, window or otherwise. There are several art galleries, including CWaters Gallery which has art from local and regional artists including the multi talented Kris Gosar (read about Gosar’s sausages in our Alamosa story on page 40) and the Quiller Gallery which was established in 1970 by Stephen Quiller, a painter who has lived and worked in the southern Colorado mountains for over thirty years. For something more practical, Rare Things offers designer jewelry and antiques among other things.

There is also the Creede Historical Society Museum and Library in Basham Park on Main Street. The one-story wood frame depot was built in 1891-92 during Creede’s boom days.

6 PM | DINNER

Kayala M via Yelp

Antler’s Ranch is about five miles outside town on the banks of the Rio Grande. The ranch restaurant offers dishes you would expect to find at any restaurant that calls itself fine dining such as roasted rack of lamb, seared salmon and filet mignon, but it is arguably for the setting that many people choose to dine here. A popular choice with locals as well as visitors, the ranch and restaurant close at the end of September for the season so be sure to call ahead to make a reservation. There are several other options depending on how hungry you are or what you feel like eating including diner-style food at Mj’s Cafe, the BBQ Bistro at Tommyknocker Tavern, Miners Restaurant offers food with a southern accent, food truck Mac Mine offers variations of mac n cheese, and Arp’s at The Creede Hotel is also popular.

REST YOUR HEAD

As for where to stay, there are several nice options including Dragonfly Flats on Main Street which can be booked on Airbnb, Blessings Inn BnB and Cascada Cabins (which is owned by the same people as Cascada Bar and Grill.

It is also worth noting that towns like Creede can sometimes operate at a more leisurely pace and opening hours and days are subject to change, so call ahead if you have your heart set on anything. In fact, many places close for the season, so be sure to check if anywhere of interest closes.

AUTUMN EVENTS

Kara Brittain at B4Studio

Cruisin’ the Canyon Car Show Sept. 20 - 22 Classic cars saunter along the Upper Rio Grande before lining Main Street where they are admired all weekend long.

Thanksgiving Chocolate Festival Nov. 29 - 30 Two days filled with all things chocolate.