Abandoned Mining Town - Geneva City #colorado #overlanding

Took the Gladiator up Upper Geneva Creek and I wish I'd done it sooner. It's a mining ghost town, a creek-side drive, and a wetland that looks like Mars, all in one trip.
Here's what you need to know:
Where: Forest Road 119, off the Guanella Pass road (Hwy 62) near Grant and Bailey. It's about an hour west of Denver.
Difficulty: Moderate, about 7 miles one way. The first 4.6 miles are bumpy but doable in most vehicles. After that it gets rockier, narrower, and steeper, so you'll want high clearance and 4WD. You climb past 11,000 feet, and creek crossings can run deep during spring runoff.
Camping: There's free dispersed camping along the creek, plus the Geneva Park Campground near the start if you want a fee site.
Iron Fens: Park and hike a little over a mile from the junction (stay left). These rust-orange terraces are one of only about eight iron fens in Colorado, and they're very fragile. No vehicles past the gate, and stay on the dirt, not the terraces.
When to go: Summer through fall. Check current conditions before you head up, because snow lingers at the top into early summer.
Have you been up this one? Tell me your favorite spot in the comments. #jeep #jeepgladiator #overlanding #offroading #colorado