Poughkeepsie Gulch (4.32 miles away)
Ouray, Colorado
Golconda Boarding House
Scout Route
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The trail to the Golconda Mine and Boarding House is a fun, moderate side trip off of Engineer Pass to excellently preserved mining ruins. It follows County Road 21 up what is a rocky but reasonably wide shelf road to the head of Hurricane Basin, to the Golconda Mine Complex. While the road continues a short distance further up a rougher section of loose shale to a dead end with good views above the main mine complex, a turn-off to the left takes you to the site of the Golconda Mine's blacksmith/compressor house and boarding house.
Originally built in 1920, both structures were restored and partially reconstructed in 2014 by the BLM and Hinsdale County and are now among the best-preserved examples of historic mining buildings in the San Juans. The boarding house is especially interesting, as it has multiple large rooms to explore or look into on two different floors as well as furniture, including bed springs and tables.
The scenery on the trail is first-rate, and the road should be passable to stock SUVs. There is only one small campsite right off the trail that didn't look very level, so this trail is not recommended for camping.
