Elsnor Mine

The above stats reflect the hike as done from the Boulder De Roux trail to Paris Creek, the uphill direction. There is very little climbing in the opposite direction — it is all downhill. 

The trail starts as a side trail off the Boulder De Roux trail, marked by a sign on a tree. To reach the junction, hike 2.5 miles in from the trailhead on the Boulder De Roux trail; you'll climb about 1,550 feet.

As you start, the trees are relatively thin — enough so that you can peek at the mountains in the distance through them. The trail starts steep, continues steep and ends steep, so get ready for a thigh-burner! 

Continue climbing and around 0.3 mile ahead, you'll be able to see some old rusty mining artifacts sitting on the side of the trail. In another quarter mile, the trees will thin further and you'll walk through a meadow to find more substantive mining equipment: old piping with bricks on the side of the trail. Glance behind you to see beautiful views of the mountains. 

You'll reach the junction with the Paris Creek trail in about 0.3 mile. If you're looking to take a break or have lunch around here, hike just a few hundred feet to the west on the Paris Creek trail — there's a great rock overlook here that offers views of the valley. 

If you wish to start from the Paris Creek trail instead, plan for a longer (and steeper!) hike; hike 5.5 miles in from the trailhead, gaining over 3,700 feet, to reach the junction with the Elsnor Mine trail.