Chalk Creek

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Chalk Creek is a river in Colorado, flowing east from the Collegiate Peaks mountain range in Chaffee County. Mt.Antero borders the southern side of the river, while Mt.Princeton borders the northern side. The headwaters of the river are located at the boundary of the Continental Divide. The river empties into the Arkansas River at the town of Nathrop, Colorado.

The river is named after the magnificent white granite cliffs that stand at the entrance to the Chalk Creek valley. These white cliffs are visible for miles in all directions, and stand in stark contrast to the otherwise wooded surrounding mountains. Stands of aspen trees and evergreens of various species surround the river for its entire length.

The river is surrounded by a mix of prively owned and US forest service land. Campgrounds and public trails, including the Colorado Trail, are located along the length of the river.

[edit] History

The river has a history tied to the gold and silver rush in Colorado in the 1800s. Along the river, several towns sprouted along with the influx of gold prospectors. St. Elmo, Hancock, and Alpine are towns that were founded and flourished with the gold rush. The Mary Murphy Mine, one of the most productive mineral mines in Colorado, is located in Chalk Creek canyon.

The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad had a rail route that wound up Chalk Creek canyon into the Alpine Tunnel. The Alpine Tunnel was built to allow trains to transport ore and supplies to and from the town of Gunnison, Colorado, located on the western side of the Continental Divide. The rail route was closed once the gold rush declined, and the Alpine Tunnel has since been sealed to prevent injury.

With the decline of the gold rush in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the towns in Chalk Creek canyon withered and became ghost towns. St. Elmo, currently on the National Historic Register, has been transformed into a tourist destination and has several intact historic buildings.

[edit] Fish

Chalk Creek is a habitat to several species of fish, including the Brook trout, Cutthroat trout, Brown trout and the Rainbow trout.