Ashcroft — Travelrags

BBC TravelOct 11, 2026

'A fortune of failures': The Colorado ghost town that almost became Aspen

Just 15 minutes from glitzy Aspen lies Ashcroft, an atmospheric ghost town that once had ambitions to become Colorado's next great ski resort.

8 things in this story

Castle CreekSighta creek whose gurgle can be heard in the quiet valley
Markley HutHotelbackcountry ski hut reached via a 2.3-mile climb
Pine Creek CookhouseRestaurantgourmet restaurant operated by the Wilcox family
The Roaring Fork Winter Sports ClubPlaceclub that taught locals how to ski
Hayden PeakSight
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