Sunshine Canyon to Gold Hill

Adventure route to the 1850s mining town of Gold Hill (population ~200, elevation 8,463 ft). Take Mapleton Avenue west from downtown Boulder until it becomes Sunshine Canyon Drive. Pavement ends ~6 miles from Broadway — the remaining 3.5 miles to Gold Hill are packed dirt with max grades hitting 23%. Tight, twisty canyon road with limited shoulder. Stop at the Gold Hill Inn for food and live music, or the Gold Hill General Store. Home to the oldest continuously operating public school in Colorado (since 1873). 28mm tires minimum, gravel bike strongly recommended.