HEADLINES
Subscribe to Colorado Info RSS Feed
Join Colorado Info on Facebook
Advertisement
LAKE CITY
 
Lake City, Colorado
 
ON THIS PAGE:
 
 
 
 

A historic frontier mining town, Lake City lies at the heart of the most remote county in the contiguous United States. You'll find more mountain wilderness here than any place in America. The people who come to Lake City pass on the tradition for generations. Come find out why, and create your own heirloom vacation. You'll probably take things a little slower while you're here, but not because you're stuck in traffic. We have Your Cure for the Common Crowd.

 

2012 EVENT SCHEDULE

 

 

Lake City - Mountaineer Marathon, May 28,  Lake City’s newest race is the Mountaineer Marathon and Half-Marathon. The race is organized by seniors at the Lake City Community School and all proceeds benefit the LCCS sports programs. The marathon is scheduled for mid-end May 2012.  The course takes runners along Henson Creek on County Road 20, with the start and finish lines in the Town Park. For more information and registration, visit the marathon’s website (lake-citymarathon.com).

Lake San Cristobal Race 5k/10k, June 2 (tentative date), This family-friendly 5k/10k race is held in early June, making for a beautiful morning workout.  Both the 5k fun run/walk and the 10k run begin along County Road 30, by Lake San Cristobal. All the races end in the Town Park, where food and drinks are available for all.

San Juan Solstice Race 50 mile, June 23,  The San Juan Solstice 50 Mile Endurance Run is a grueling but scenic loop through the high San Juan Mountains consisting of five main sections: the initial climb up Alpine Gulch and descent to Williams Creek, a historic run to the old mining town of Carson, a long scenic stretch along the Continental Divide, a descent to Slumgullion Pass, and a final hump over the Vickers Ranch plateau. The San Juan Solstice 50 is for experienced trail runners only.  For more information, visit www.lakecity50.com. All proceeds benefit the Lake City EMTs, our all-volunteer emergency medical team, many of whom work the aid stations on race day.

High Country Craft Fair at Veterans Park - typically first weekend of July date TBA. Hosted at Veterans Park next to the historic Hinsdale County Courthouse, the High Country Craft Fair includes visiting and local artists showcasing a range of beautiful works from painting and photography to crafts and jewelry. 

Lake City Fourth of July Event hosted by LCHC Chamber of Commerce, July 4, The LC/HC Chamber of Commerce hosts this long-standing tradition of family entertainment, including a parade through historic downtown, Air Force fly over, races in the Town Park for all ages, delicious food and drinks in the park, and a book sale at the Moseley Arts Center. The day is topped off with live music and a street dance followed by a thrilling fireworks show put on by our Volunteer Fire Department.

The 37th annual juried Arts and Crafts Fair will be hosted by Lake City Arts, July 17, This large, outdoor fair has over 80 vendors featuring unique and handmade items. This is a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping, find a treasure for yourself, or simply spend a day enjoying the gorgeous July weather while admiring the fine handiwork of craftsmen from throughout Colorado and the Southwest.

Ducky Derby & Wee Care Wee Walk, July 21 (tentative), Each July, a small section of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River is flooded for just an hour or so with hundreds of ducks, rubber ducks. The Ducky Derby, hosted by the LC/HC Chamber of Commerce, is a great event where families can watch the ducks float from the Henson Creek Bridge to the 8 ½ Street Bridge. Tickets for ducks are available at many businesses and the Visitor Center throughout the summer. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and last place ducks. The morning of the derby, Wee Care hosts the Wee Care Wee Walk, which travels through historic downtown Lake City. All proceeds from the walk benefit Wee Care.

Furniture Fiesta, July 27, The Pioneer Jubilee Women’s Club Furniture Fiesta is a fun auction and dinner that offers a spectrum of items, including hand-painted and finished furniture, one-of-a-kind pieces, art and jewelry.  All items are donated and many are crafted by members of the PJWC. The auction benefits the PJWC, a community organization that donates funds to many local non-profits. For more information, visitwww.pjwclakecity.org.

August is Lake City History Month. The history of Hinsdale County and Lake City cannot be explored in just one day, it takes a whole month. August offers a variety of events, including historical presentations, a Victorian tea, Stick Horse Show,  Walk for a Cancer Free Future, outdoor campfire talks from experts on a range of topics, a play about Lake City’s slightly tawdry red light district, and more. For more information, visit www.lakecitydirt.com.

Stick Horse Show, August 4 (tentative), In combination with Lake City’s 138th anniversary celebration, this event will make you laugh, cry, and exercise all in the same breath.  It includes competitions in bucking horse, barrel racing, pole bending, farrier race, calf roping, and showmanship classes. Prizes are awarded for each age group in each category and to the all-around cowboy and cowgirl in each age group. This event is open to all ages. For more information, visit www.lakecitydirt.com.

Back in Thyme Victorian Tea, August 13, Museum. Noon to 2pm. This event which is a high tea benefits Helen's Garden (at the museum) and the Hinsdale County Historical Society. Some Ladies dress in 19th century Costumes...but costume or not, all are welcome. You may even borrow a hat from our hat rack at the door. Tickets ($25) will go on sale in early July at the Mosley Arts Center, and at the museum . This is our fifth year, and all previous events have sold out...so buy your tickets in advance. This is not a ladies only event ...Men are welcome! Questions call Jane Swanson. 970 944 1214

Colorfest Arts & Crafts Fair, September 8, The Lake City Arts Colorfest Arts and Crafts Fair, held in the Town Park, offers another chance to buy unique goods from many regional craftsmen and artists while enjoying the beginning of the spectacular fall color. For more information, visit www.lakecityarts.com.

Uncorked Wine and Music Festival, September 15, Enjoy good music, good wine, good food, and good friends under the changing aspen leaves of historic Lake City. Set the third weekend in September, the festival features six music acts representing several genres, from country to rock to bluegrass to funk.  Taste over 100 wines, enjoy a beer from Ska Brewing, and top it off with great food from one of the many vendors.  Artisan vendors offer handcrafted treasures from blown-glass to one-of-a-kind hats and clothing.  Gates open at 10:00 a.m.  More information about the schedule of events, featured bands, and tickets can be found at www.lakecityfestival.org. Event proceeds benefit the community through Lake City DIRT, a local nonprofit that oversees the Main Street program. www.lakecityfestival.org

 FAST FACTS

 

- Lake San Cristobal was formed about 700 years ago, when the Slumgullion Earthflow sloughed off of a mesa and slid down to block the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.

- There are six Fourteeners (14,000'+ peaks) within a few miles of Lake City: Uncompahgre, Handies, Sunshine, Wetterhorn, Redcloud, and San Luis.

- Lake City's historic outbuildings were named to Colorado's 2010 Most Endangered Places list.

- According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Hinsdale County is one of the few places in the contiguous United States where you can be farther than ten miles away from a road.

- In 1877, Susan B. Anthony visited Lake City to speak in favor of women's suffrage. She rode a horse over Slumgullion Pass, side-saddle. The crowd that came to hear her was so large that the speech had to be moved outside.

- Hinsdale County is comprised of approximately 95% public lands, and contains parts of four National Wilderness Areas and two Wilderness Study Areas.
 


ATTRACTIONS

 

Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway
A 65-mile gravel road, starting and ending in Lake City. Two high-country mountain passes over 12,000 ft. Ghost towns, Fourteeners, wildflowers, fishing, hiking and camping. ATV, motorbike, or 4x4 required to cross the passes. www.lakecity.com/alpineloop

Silver Thread National Scenic & Historic Byway
Colorado Highway 149 winds through historic mining towns of Lake City and Creede. Along the way, you'll find abundant wildlife, fishing, camping, historic sites, and the Alferd Packer Massacre Site. www.lakecity.com/silverthread

Lake San Cristobal
The second-largest natural lake in the state is also one of the most picturesque. Excellent fishing, boating, camping, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing. www.lakecity.com/lakesancristobal

Lake City National Historic District
Over 75 historic buildings remain in one of the largest National Historic Districts in the state. See mining-era homes, commercial and civic buildings, churches, barns, and outhouses. In the historic downtown, you'll find an arts center, historic museum, walking tours, artist galleries, shopping, coffee shops, and parks. www.lakecity.com/historicdistrict

 

HISTORIC MUSEUMS & TOURS

 


Hinsdale County Museum
130 Silver Street
970-944-2050
www.lakecitymuseum.com
Historic exhibits, special events, and walking tours related to the history of Lake City and Hinsdale County.

Hard Tack Mine Tour & Museum
County Road 20 (Engineer Pass road)
970-944-2506
www.hardtackmine.com
Experience how hard rock miners lived and worked at this underground mine tour and museum located on the Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway.

 

THE ARTS

 


Moseley Arts Center
300 Silver Street
970-944-2710
www.lakecityarts.org
A variety of arts programming, including community theatre and dance productions, visual arts shows, chamber music series, a summer music series, arts and crafts shows, and classes and workshops.

Made In Lake City
Guide to the numerous artists and craftsmen in the Lake City area.
www.lakecity.com/madeinlakecity

 
MAP OF THE AREA
 
 
Google Maps JavaScript API Example