St. Elmo to Hancock

This half-day ride takes in the living ghost town of St. Elmo, a ride along the old railroad grade to the old townsite of Hancock, and a drive down the old road through Iron City and Alpine. It's moderate on a jeeping scale, with some rough spots that require 4-wheel drive for ease.

Head up County Rd 162, past Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and Apline. The road changes from pavement to maintained gravel before you get to Alpine. Continue on to St. Elmo.

You can either visit St. Elmo before going up to Hancock, or catch the town on the way back down. Don't forget to visit the restored Townhall and St. Elmo schoolhouse.

Just before you get into St. Elmo, take Road 295 to the south. This road is not as well maintained as Rd 162, but travel is not difficult. Watch for other jeepers, ATVs, and bicycles.

You will pass remanents of past mining: cabins, loading chutes, restoration areas. A side trip up to parts of the Mary Murphy Mine adds several hours.

Continue going until you reach the townsite of Hancock.

Here the road splits. One, very rough road goes to Hancock Lake. The other goes up to Hancock Pass and the Alpine Tunnel. Both are quite the adventure, and you should allow for a full day if you go.

After checking out the townsite of Hancock, turn around and head back to St. Elmo.

In St. Elmo, there is another road of interest for a serious, long day. That one takes you up over Tincup Pass to the town of Tincup. It is a rough one!

Instead, take Rd 292 back to the east. It follows Chalk Creek on the opposite side from Rd 162. You will pass through the Iron City Campground.

Stop at the Iron City Cemetary for an interesting look at old tombstones. On down the road, check out the buildings left from the Tin Cup hydro-electric power plant.

Continue on Rd 292 down past Alpine Lake and through the town of Alpine. Stay on Rd 292 to see some of the older cabins (mixed in with the new). East of Alpine there are more old cabins.

Rd 292 will end back at Rd 162. From there head back towards Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.