Directions: 

From I-70 at Idaho Springs, exit the Mt. Evans exit and turn left onto 103 (Chicago Creek Rd).  Cross over I-70 and make your first right into the U.S. Forest Service Mount Evans Info Center.  The trail starts at the western point of the parking lot. 

Hike Description:

The Prospector Trail is a short (.3 mi (RT)) and easy self-guiding interpretive trail just across the Highway from Downtown Idaho Springs.  The paved Idaho Springs Trail allows you to access this hike from downtown.  The hike is noteworthy mainly for the nice view of Idaho Springs from the many overlooks along the trail.  However, if you want to make this hike really worthwhile, you can take the social trail up to an unnamed minor peak with a wonderful view of not only Idaho Springs, but the surrounding peaks as well.

From Interpretive Marker 16, turn left and follow the trail uphill.  In the winter the trail is evidenced by footprints in the thin snow, but it looks as if the trail is evident without snow as well.  A few minutes after starting on the social trail, you’ll enter a meadow and get a clear view of the small summit.  The hike is pretty straightforward, just follow the ridge uphill.  You’ll first reach a false summit but fear not, the true summit is only minutes away. 

The trail is steep, you’ll gain 600ft in about ½ mile, and the summit is forested, unfortunately blocking any real views of the Continental Divide Mountains.  However, the views back to the east and to the south are worthwhile.  To the south you get great views of Squaw Mountain, Chief Mountain, and Mt. Evans and Bierstadt just popping up…  The conical mountain to the west of Evans is Sugarloaf Peak and you can just make out Edwards Mountain to the west of Sugarloaf Peak. 

Return the way you came but this time finish the remaining Prospector Trail, then head into town for celebratory beer at Tommyknockers…gotta love Colorado…