Montezuma, Colorado

Montezuma is a tiny mountain town, incorporated in 1860, that teetered on the brink of extinction after the price of silver fell, but it still survives.  With a population of a few dozen, plus weekend visitors, it maintains its own culture (or some would say “counter-culture”).  Located in a high mountain valley above 10,000 ft, it was originally a silver mining town.  Today it is the jumping off point for trips past the old mining sites and up onto the Continental Divide. 

Hiking, mountain biking, and 4-wheeling get people high above the town in the summer.   Cross country skiing, show shoeing and snowmobiling are the choices in the winter.  There is fabulous scenery and it isn’t crowded.  It is a good place to see what Summit County would be like if there were no ski resorts.

Do you like off-road driving?  It is very difficult to drive up “Radical Hill” without worrying about your vehicle (and yourself).  Then you get to figure out how you are going to avoid driving down it…..  You may want to take one of the many other routes up onto the top of the Continental Divde!

Think you are tough and in shape?  Sure you can keep up the best mountain bike racers?  Check out Montezuma's Revenge, a 24 hour long race over some of the toughest terrain in Colorado.