Are you getting sick and tired of hiking around colorful mountains and other unforgettable scenes? No? Me neither… but for this article’s sake, let’s pretend that you are and that you are looking for something equally exciting! If you want to get out and try something new, we suggest taking this hike that will lead you straight to an abandoned power plant.
Welcome to Penrose, Colorado. You may know of it as the Model Rocket Capital of the World, the home of the World Largest Rocking Chair, and delicious apple farms, but there’s another unique attraction hiding here…
Flickr/Eric Lumsden
…the old Skaguay Power Plant!
Skaguay Power Plant Facebook
Originally opened in 1901, the Skaguay Power Plant was the world’s first steel-reinformed and rock-faced dam. It supplied electricity from Victor all the way to Canon City.
Skaguay Power Plant Facebook
After the nearby dam failed in the mid-1960s, the plant closed, leaving the building deserted and decaying.
TripAdvisor/Kristi D
Today, the ruins of this historic plant can be seen via a gorgeous 10-mile hike that comes complete with dramatic cliffs and peaks…
TripAdvisor/Kristi D
…old homesteads and various buildings…
TripAdvisor/Kristi D
…and other unusual surprises.
Skaguay Power Plant Facebook
While the roundtrip hike may seem a bit challenging at 10 miles, it is truly a trek that every outdoors lover and history buff will enjoy!
TripAdvisor/Kristi D
Here’s a handy map to help you find it:
Flickr/Eric Lumsden
Skaguay Power Plant Facebook
TripAdvisor/Kristi D
TripAdvisor/Kristi D
Discover even more historic Colorado hikes by reading our previous article: These 5 Trails Around Denver Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ancient Ruins.
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