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Join P-4 as we run North Fork Swan, Saints John & Chihuahua Gulch. These trails are rated 3-4 and easy with great views. Meetup spot to be determined.
North Fork Swan River is an entry point into one of the best but less traveled networks of offroad trails along the Front Range. Located within striking distance of Breckenridge and not far from Denver, it is a favorite for locals and vacationers alike. On the trek, you will be rewarded with high-alpine tundra, historic cabins, and mining ruins. If you have more than an afternoon to spend on the trails, you can combine this trail with all the others in the area to have one amazing trip, complete with a memory-making dispersed campsite.
First, yes, it is Saints John, not Saint Johns. Keep reading to learn why. This 4WD trail runs along high alpine ridge lines for several miles with spectacular 360-degree views. And lest you get bored, there is a couple of hill climbs to keep things interesting. The trail's north end drops down into the forest below, making its way into the tiny town of Montezuma. In 1863, John Coley made the first silver strike in Colorado. He founded the boom town of Coleyville. However, in 1867, a group of wealthy Free Masons bought up much of the area claims, renaming the town Saints John for the two patron saints of the Free Masons: Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. Thus Saints (plural) John. The current 4WD trail follows the route once taken by ox or mule-driven ore carts hauling the mined ore over the Continental Divide and down the Swan River Valley to the mills and rails in Breckenridge. The mines of Saints John produced silver until the 1950s. Now, feel free to correct everyone you meet who will probably call this Saint Johns.

One of the more popular trails in the Keystone area, Chihuahua Gulch is used by 4x4’s, hikers and sometimes a little horse traffic will be seen. The scenery on this trail will not disappoint.