Trip to Victor, CO to See Giant Troll Statue and Drive Through Phantom Canyon<br>April 29, 2024

Trip to Victor, CO to See Giant Troll Statue and Drive Through Phantom Canyon
April 29, 2024

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Introduction

On April 29th, we decided to take a day trip to Victor, Colorado in our 2019 Nissan Leaf total electric car. We wanted to see how the Leaf performed on mountain passes and roads and also check out charging stations and how they work etc. To our delight the car performed beautifully and using the charger was so easy.

Also, just outside Victor is the location of Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue, built by the Danish recycle artist/activist, Thomas Dambo. He is world renowned for his Giant Trolls that are built from recycled materials, primarily old wooden pallets, gathered from dumpster diving. He has built more than 120 giant trolls in 17 countries, two of which are in Colorado; one in Breckenridge and this one in Victor. We have now visited them both.

We decided on a different route home that would take us through Phantom Canyon. The dirt Phantom Canyon Road (mostly a washboard road) follows the route of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894. It was an amazing driving experience that included spectacular scenery, many bridges and two tunnels.

Cathy & Joe R.

Click to enlarge
Map-Colorado-Springs-to-Victor-Phantom-Canyon
133 miles round trip - 3 hrs. 40 min. without stopping
We left at 10:15am and got home st 8:45pm
Total 10 hrs. 15 min. including MANY stops and dinner

For more information and history of Phantom Canyon Road, check out:

Back In Time: Phantom Canyon’s history filled with mystery, intrigue - "Put 'er Thru" - Canon City Daily record Oct. 29, 2020)
Phantom Fun - The Pueblo Chieftain (July 23, 2011)
The Canyon Filled With Phantoms - Out There Colorado (Feb. 16, 2017)

Click on an image to start a Slide Show with that image.

#1 - 4/29/2024 - On the road to Victor, CO. Although it was 60-70 degrees in Colorado Springs and the ground was bare, at 8,000-10,000 feet elevation in the mountains, there was snow on the ground.

#2 - 4/29/2024 - We drive through Victor Pass.

#3 - 4/29/2024 - The Cripple Creek and Victor areas comprise one of the greatest gold and silver mining areas in the U.S. in the late 1800s.

#4 - 4/29/2024 - We enter the city limits of Victor.

#5 - 4/29/2024 - One of the abandoned mines just outside of Victor.

#6 - 4/29/2024 - Another abandoned mine outside of town.

#7 - 4/29/2024 - In downtown Victor, a mural of Nikola Tesla, a prolific inventor in the late 1800s to early 1900s. We have him to thank for AC electricity, electric induction motors, wireless radio remote control and so much more.

#8 - 4/29/2024 - A painted elk statue and ore car in downtown Victor.

#9 - 4/29/2024 - Who is that blonde?

#10 - 4/29/2024 - Who is that next to the horse's ass? Oh, it's a brown bay.

#11 - 4/29/2024 - Looking down Main St. in Victor.

#12 - 4/29/2024 - Looking up Main St. Victor.

#13 - 4/29/2024 - The past Fortune Club in downtown Victor.

#14 - 4/29/2024 - The past Fortune Club in downtown Victor.

#15 - 4/29/2024 - The Black Monarch Boutique Hotel in downtown Victor.

#16 - 4/29/2024 - The Lowell Thomas Museum in downtown Victor. It was closed today, but in the past we took the bus tour of the operating open pit mine from here.

#17 - 4/29/2024 - The Lowell Thomas Museum in downtown Victor. It was closed today, but in the past we took the bus tour of the operating open pit mine from here.

#18 - 4/29/2024 - A macabre display outside the Black Monarch Boutique Hotel in downtown Victor.

#19 - 4/29/2024 - A street view with City Hall in downtown Victor.

#20 - 4/29/2024 - The mural sign for a liquor store in downtown Victor.

#21 - 4/29/2024 - A street view with City Hall in downtown Victor.

#22 - 4/29/2024 - City Hall in downtown Victor.

#23 - 4/29/2024 - An informative mural next to City Hall in downtown Victor.

#24 - 4/29/2024 - We arrive at the Little Gouse Mountain trailhead with displays of old American Eagle Mine buildings and equipment, and the half mile hiking trail to our main destination, the statue of Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll just outside of downtown Victor.

#25 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy heads for the half mile hiking trail to our main destination, the statue of Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll as she passes the old American Eagle Mine headframe hoist and blacksmith building just outside of downtown Victor.

#26 - 4/29/2024 - The old American Eagle Mine blacksmith shop display.

#27 - 4/29/2024 - The old American Eagle Mine blacksmith shop building

#28 - 4/29/2024 - The old American Eagle Mine headframe hoist sign.

#29 - 4/29/2024 - The old American Eagle Mine headframe hoist.

#30 - 4/29/2024 - Joe R. at the old American Eagle Mine headframe hoist.

#31 - 4/29/2024 - An old hoist motor at American Eagle Mine.

#32 - 4/29/2024 - An old hoist motor at American Eagle Mine.

#33 - 4/29/2024 - An old hoist motor made in good old New York at American Eagle Mine.

#34 - 4/29/2024 - The electric hoist motor and pulleys at American Eagle Mine.

#35 - 4/29/2024 - The electric hoist motor and pulleys at American Eagle Mine.

#36 - 4/29/2024 - The electric induction motor armature for the hoist motor at American Eagle Mine. This is one of the many benefits we derived form the genius of Nikola Tesla.

#37 - 4/29/2024 - The sign at the trailhead to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#38 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy looking up the half mile trail to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue (in the center distance) by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#39 - 4/29/2024 - We stop at the Grouse Mountain Overlook on the half mile trail to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#40 - 4/29/2024 - A view from the Grouse Mountain Overlook on the half mile trail to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue (in the center distance) by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#41 - 4/29/2024 - A view from the Grouse Mountain Overlook on the half mile trail to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue (in the center) by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#42 - 4/29/2024 - We start up the half mile trail to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue (off to the right) by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#43 - 4/29/2024 - On the half mile trail to Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue (off to the right) by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#44 - 4/29/2024 - We are about to arrive at Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#45 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy arrives at Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo. In the background are not natural hills, but man made mine tailings (detritus removed from deep down in the mines).

#46 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy arrives at Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo. In the background are not natural hills, but man made mine tailings (detritus removed from deep down in the mines).

#47 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy and Joe R.at Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo. In the background are not natural hills, but man made mine tailings (detrutus removed from deep down in the mines).

#48 - 4/29/2024 - Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#49 - 4/29/2024 - Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#50 - 4/29/2024 - Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#51 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy at Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#52 - 4/29/2024 - Joe R. at Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue by the Danish artist, Thomas Danbo.

#53 - 4/29/2024 - Looking back up the trail with Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue on the left, mine tailings in the background and the American Eagle Mine headframe in the background on the right.

#54 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy takes a moment to rest, reflect and take in the view before we start our trek back up the half mile trail.

#55 - 4/29/2024 - After leaving Victor and Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue, we start our drive on Phantom Canyon Road, a 30+ mile dirt road descending down over 4,000 feet elevation (9,500 to 5,500 feet) through some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado. The road was formerly the railroad line for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894 to haul ore from the goldfields in the Cripple Creek/Victor Mining District to the reduction mines in Florence, Colorado.

#56 - 4/29/2024 - I quess the gun people don't pay attention to signs!

#57 - 4/29/2024 - After leaving Victor and Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue, we start our drive on Phantom Canyon Road, a 30+ mile dirt road descending down over 4,000 feet elevation (9,500 to 5,500 feet) through some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado. The road was formerly the railroad line for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894 to haul ore from the goldfields in the Cripple Creek/Victor Mining District to the reduction mines in Florence, Colorado.

#58 - 4/29/2024 - After leaving Victor and Rita the Rock Planter Giant Troll statue, we start our drive on Phantom Canyon Road, a 30+ mile dirt road descending down over 4,000 feet elevation (9,500 to 5,500 feet) through some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado. The road was formerly the railroad line for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894 to haul ore from the goldfields in the Cripple Creek/Victor Mining District to the reduction mines in Florence, Colorado. Okay! Let's head down the road.

#59 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road starts off pretty tamely.

#60 - 4/29/2024 - We reach a 200 foot boost of elevation as we crest Alta Vista Pass on Phantom Canyon Road.

#61 - 4/29/2024 - And so the adventure begins on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road as we see the road and scenery ahead.

#62 - 4/29/2024 - And so the adventure begins on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road as we see the road and scenery ahead.

#63 - 4/29/2024 - We reach one of several bridges (and eventually tunnels) on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road. That is our 2019 Nissan Leaf all electric that did splendidly.

#64 - 4/29/2024 - We reach one of several bridges (and eventually tunnels) on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#65 - 4/29/2024 - We reach one of several bridges (and eventually tunnels) on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#66 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road and one of many beautiful rock formations.

#67 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road and one of many beautiful rock formations. That is our 2019 Nissan Leaf all electric car.

#68 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road and one of many beautiful rock formations.

#69 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road and one of many beautiful rock formations.

#70 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road cut through the rock, originally for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894 to haul ore from the goldfields in the Cripple Creek/Victor Mining District to the reduction mines in Florence, Colorado.

#71 - 4/29/2024 - A spectacular rock formation (Old Man Phantom?) along Phantom Canyon Road.

#72 - 4/29/2024 - A spectacular rock formation (Old Man Phantom?) along Phantom Canyon Road.

#73 - 4/29/2024 - More spectacular rock formations and scenery along Phantom Canyon Road.4/29/2024 - A spectacular rock formation (Old Man Phantom?) along Phantom Canyon Road.

#74 - 4/29/2024 - Phantom Canyon Road cut through the rock, originally for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad built in 1894 to haul ore from the goldfields in the Cripple Creek/Victor Mining District to the reduction mines in Florence, Colorado.

#75 - 4/29/2024 - Another of several bridges (and eventually tunnels) over Eight Mile Creek on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road. That is our 2019 Nissan Leaf all electric that did splendidly.

#76 - 4/29/2024 - Another of several bridges (and eventually tunnels) over Eight Mile Creek on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road. That is our 2019 Nissan Leaf all electric that did splendidly.

#77 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy walks down Phantom Canyon Road along our Nissan Leaf to see what she might find.

#78 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy walks down Phantom Canyon Road along our Nissan Leaf to see what she might find.

#79 - 4/29/2024 - She found it! A cyclist trudging up Phantom Canyon Road as we drive down!

#80 - 4/29/2024 - A cyclist trudging up Phantom Canyon Road as we drive down!

#81 - 4/29/2024 - Some of the spectacular views from Phantom Canyon Road.

#82 - 4/29/2024 - One of the overlooks on Phantom Canyon Road.

#83 - 4/29/2024 - One of the overlooks on Phantom Canyon Road.

#84 - 4/29/2024 - Yet another of several bridges over Eight Mile Creek (and eventually tunnels) on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#85 - 4/29/2024 - Yet another of several bridges over Eight Mile Creek (and eventually tunnels) on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#86 - 4/29/2024 - More gorgeous scenery on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#87 - 4/29/2024 - The first of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#88 - 4/29/2024 - The first of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#89 - 4/29/2024 - Coming through the first of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#90 - 4/29/2024 - Cathy and our car emerge from the first of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#91 - 4/29/2024 - We encounter cactus on the roadside on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#92 - 4/29/2024 - We encounter cactus on the roadside on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#93 - 4/29/2024 - Our car parked at the entrance of the second of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#94 - 4/29/2024 - The entrance of the second of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

#95 - 4/29/2024 - The entrance of the second of two old railroad tunnels on our drive down Phantom Canyon Road.

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