Clear Creek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado, just west of Denver. The county seat is Georgetown, and the population was 9,088 as of the 2010 census. It is one of the original 17 counties created out of the Colorado Territory in 1861. Clear Creek County covers an area of 396 square miles and has seven incorporated municipalities including Georgetown, Silver Plume, Empire, Idaho Springs, Central City/Black Hawk, Downieville-Lawson-Dumont and Gross Reservoir.
According to photionary.com, the history of Clear Creek County dates back to 1859 when gold was discovered in what would later become Central City/Black Hawk. This discovery sparked a gold rush which brought thousands of miners to the area looking for their fortunes. As such, many towns quickly grew up around this boom including Georgetown which served as an important supply hub for miners in search of gold and other minerals during this time period.
Today, Clear Creek County is home to some great attractions that draw visitors from all over the world every year. These attractions include historic mining sites such as Argo Gold Mine & Mill Tour and old mining towns such as Black Hawk & Central City that have been converted into gaming centers with casinos and hotels for visitors to enjoy. Other popular attractions include Loveland Ski Area which offers skiing and snowboarding during winter months; Mount Evans Scenic Byway which leads up to 14,264 feet above sea level; Staunton State Park which offers camping, hiking trails and scenic views; and White Water Rafting on Clear Creek River which takes adventurers through class III rapids through Clear Creek Canyon.
In addition to its many attractions Clear Creek County has been home to a number of famous people throughout its history including former president Ulysses S Grant who stayed at Hotel de Paris in Georgetown during his visit in 1873; writer Louis L’Amour who wrote about his experiences while living in the county; novelist Zane Grey who wrote The Call Of The Canyon while staying at Hotel de Paris; singer John Denver who wrote “Rocky Mountain High” while visiting Staunton State Park; and actor Robert Redford who filmed A River Runs Through It at several locations throughout the county.
Clear Creek County offers visitors plenty to see and do from exploring historic mining sites to outdoor recreation activities such as skiing or rafting on Clear Creek River. With its rich history and beautiful scenery there is something for everyone here.
Climate and weather in Clear Creek County, Colorado
According to act-test-centers.com, Clear Creek County, Colorado is an area of stunning natural beauty that is known for its wide variety of outdoor activities and attractions. Located in the Rocky Mountains, this county has a climate that is milder than other areas of the state due to its higher elevation. The summers are generally warm and sunny with temperatures usually ranging between 65-80°F while the winters tend to be cold and snowy with temperatures typically between 20-45°F.
The county receives an average of around 40 inches of rainfall annually which is evenly spread out throughout the year and helps to provide a lush landscape for visitors to enjoy. The snowfall in Clear Creek County averages around 40 inches per year, but can be as high as 80 inches during particularly cold years. Much of this snowfall occurs between October and April when temperatures are lower, making winter months ideal for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and other winter sports activities.
The spring season in Clear Creek County brings about warmer temperatures as well as blooming flowers and trees, making it a great time for hiking or camping in the area’s many parks and trails. During May through July temperatures usually remain above 70°F which makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as fishing or white water rafting on Clear Creek River.
In the fall months temperatures start to cool down again with average highs around 55-60°F while lows often dip into the 30s at night. This cooler weather provides excellent conditions for enjoying some of the area’s popular attractions such as Mount Evans Scenic Byway or Loveland Ski Area which both offer spectacular views during this time of year.
No matter when you visit Clear Creek County you can expect to find something fun to do. Whether it’s taking a tour through historic mining sites or enjoying outdoor recreation activities such as skiing or rafting on Clear Creek River there is something here for everyone.
Transportation in Clear Creek County, Colorado
Clear Creek County, Colorado is a beautiful area of stunning natural beauty that provides visitors with an array of outdoor activities and attractions. With its mild climate, lush landscape, and wide variety of transportation options available, Clear Creek County is an ideal destination for anyone looking to explore the Rocky Mountains.
For those who are traveling to Clear Creek County by car, the county is easily accessible via Interstate 70 which runs through the center of the county. Additionally, US Highway 40 runs east-west through the county and connects to both I-70 and US Highway 285. Drivers should be aware that some roads in the area may be closed during winter months due to snow and icy conditions.
The closest airport to Clear Creek County is located in Denver which is about an hour away by car or shuttle bus. Denver International Airport (DIA) offers flights from all over the country as well as international destinations. There are also several smaller regional airports located within a few hours drive from Clear Creek County such as Eagle County Airport or Aspen-Pitkin County Airport which offer flights from major cities throughout the United States.
Public transportation in Clear Creek County includes buses operated by RTD (Regional Transportation District). RTD buses run daily between Denver International Airport (DIA) and Clear Creek County with multiple stops along the way including Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Silver Plume, Empire Junction, and Winter Park Resort ski area. Additionally, there are several other bus routes within Clear Creek County that connect various towns such as Idaho Springs or Georgetown with stops at popular attractions such as Mount Evans Scenic Byway or Loveland Ski Area.
For those looking for an even more unique way to travel around Clear Creek County, there are also several train routes available through Amtrak’s California Zephyr line which runs between Chicago and San Francisco with multiple stops in Colorado including Granby/Grand Lake Station near Winter Park Resort ski area as well as Fraser Station near Fraser Valley Shopping Center in Grandby.
No matter how you choose to travel around Clear Creek County you can be sure to find something fun to do. Whether it’s taking a tour through historic mining sites or enjoying outdoor recreation activities such as skiing or white water rafting on Clear Creek River there is something here for everyone.
Cities and towns in Clear Creek County, Colorado
According to countryaah, Clear Creek County, Colorado is a small county located in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. It is home to several small towns and cities that offer a variety of activities for visitors. The biggest city in the county is Idaho Springs, which is located about 30 miles west of Denver and has a population of nearly 2,000 people. Idaho Springs is known for its historic mining sites, hot springs, and outdoor recreation opportunities such as camping, hiking, skiing, and white water rafting on Clear Creek River.
Just to the north of Idaho Springs lies Georgetown which is a picturesque mountain town nestled in the mountains at an elevation of 8700 feet. Georgetown offers visitors a unique mountain town experience with its historic downtown featuring shops and restaurants as well as an old-fashioned train ride through the surrounding mountains. Georgetown is also home to several outdoor recreation activities such as hiking trails and snowmobiling throughout the winter months.
Further east lies Silver Plume which was once one of the most important mining towns in Clear Creek County during the 19th century gold rush era. Today, Silver Plume has become more of a tourist destination with its historic buildings still intact offering visitors a glimpse into life during this period of time. Silver Plume also offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails along Clear Creek River or taking a scenic drive along I-70 with stops at nearby ski resorts like Loveland Ski Area or Winter Park Resort ski area.
Heading further south you’ll find Empire Junction which was once an important stop on the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad line connecting Denver to Salt Lake City. Today, Empire Junction has become more of a residential community but still offers plenty for visitors including access to nearby ski resorts as well as fishing spots along Clear Creek River or nearby Staunton State Park where visitors can enjoy camping, hiking trails, and picnic areas surrounded by stunning mountain views.
Finally, there’s Winter Park Resort ski area located just outside Empire Junction which offers some of Colorado’s best skiing and snowboarding terrain along with lodging options ranging from luxury condos to cozy cabins for those looking for more secluded accommodations away from it all. No matter what type of adventure you’re looking for you can be sure to find something fun to do in Clear Creek County.
