Experience the easy mountain life of Victor, Colorado, a gold mining town founded in the late 19th century and nicknamed the “City of Mines.” Heart of Gold is located on a gorgeous hillside at the edge of town and features unobstructed views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Only five miles from Cripple Creek and 45 minutes from Colorado Springs, this 420-friendly two-bedroom, two-bath cabin is also walking distance to downtown Victor. Heart of Gold is a true miner’s getaway! Sitting at an elevation of roughly 9,700 feet in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Heart of Gold is one of our newest Rocky Mountain vacation rentals and is sure to become a fan favorite with outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Victor, Colorado, also known as “The City of Mines,” was established in 1894, and to this day boasts the original architecture throughout downtown, with many of the buildings dating back to 1899. As part of the Cripple Creek Mining District, the area was once the second-largest gold mining area in American history. A historic 19th century home, Heart of Gold was built in 1898, and fully renovated in 2023. Gold mining ruins, relics of what was once a booming gold rush town, are scattered all along the Victor hillsides. Several hiking trails, lovingly deemed “Trails of Gold,” lead to old mining camps. A family favorite is the Vindicator Valley Trailhead, which features numerous historic buildings and spectacular views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad is a crowd pleaser for all ages, taking riders on a history-filled 45-minute, four-mile round trip featuring gorgeous scenery and an authentic narrow-gauge railroad experience on the century-old steam locomotive. Heart of Gold is a 420-friendly two-bedroom, two-bath mountain cabin, perfect for couples or small groups who want to enjoy the mountains any time of year. Our home is a 10-minute drive to Cripple Creek and its casinos, a 20-minute drive to Woodland Park, a one hour drive to Colorado Springs, and a 90-minute drive to the famous Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. A 4WD vehicle is recommended in all seasons, and required to access the home in the wintertime. Heart of Gold can accommodate six guests comfortably, utilizing two king beds and two twin beds (not bunks). We do not offer sleeper sofas. The interior space is 883 square feet. The main entry door is on the south side of the cabin. There is a lockbox mounted near the door. Guests will be given the access code to the lockbox prior to their arrival. Heart of Gold is decorated with eclectic antique furnishings. The home’s windows open, allowing you to feel right at home with nature. Wake up to see wandering deer, elk, and foxes, or just watch hummingbirds as the wind whispers a morning welcome through the trees. Considering the cabin's secluded and private vibe, it's hard to imagine that you are still only minutes away from downtown Victor and five minutes from Cripple Creek. Upon entering Heart of Gold, guests are greeted by a bright kitchen and dining area. This open-concept layout is perfect for enjoying time with friends and family. The living area features cozy leather chairs and a matching leather sofa, plus a flat-screen smart television. We do not offer access to streaming services or cable. Guests are to sign in to their own app accounts and are responsible for signing out upon departure. The kitchen is fully stocked with more than the basics; pots and pans, a drip coffee pot, a K-cup coffee maker, a tea kettle, and ample utensils. If we have not stocked an item that is needed, please let us know. Please note that the home will occasionally have coffee, sugar, creamers, salt, pepper, and olive oil. However, we do not stock these items. If desired, we can arrange for grocery shopping and delivery prior to arrival. The dining table seats three. There are two bedrooms in the cabin, each with a king bed, nightstands with reading lamps, and ample space to store your luggage. One of the bedrooms has direct access to the main floor three-piece bathroom. This bathroom can also be accessed from the hallway area off of the kitchen. Off of the living room we have an open-concept flex space, which is ideal sleeping quarters for the kiddos. This space features a daybed with trundle, reading lamp, and luggage storage. Underneath the house, guests will find the laundry room and the second three-piece bath. The full-size washer and dryer are for guest use. Although we offer a starter pack of laundry detergent, guests should always supply their own detergent for extended stays. A 4WD or AWD vehicle is recommended for all seasons, and is required to access the home in the wintertime. Please review our listing for more details on access. Remember to use common sense when traveling on our curvy (and often snowy) mountain roads. Guests have access to the entire home. The laundry room and second bathroom are downstairs. Guests do have to go outside to get to this space. There are check-in and check-out instructions forthcoming. These are in the guest’s shared Airbnb messaging inbox. Guests will receive a reminder text on the morning of arrival and departure. Please respect our belongings to avoid charges. Breaking the rules will most certainly be handled through Airbnb if we cannot come to a satisfactory conclusion on our own. No one likes having to deal with a problem during a vacation, but life happens. As long as guests are upfront and honest, they will find that we are very reasonable and agreeable hosts. With tall, jagged peaks, amazing vistas, and limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation, the Rocky Mountains are a fantastic destination for anyone looking to explore the Western states. Our Colorado home is located in the community of Victor, where you can experience the majesty of the southern Rocky Mountains at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet. Heart of Gold is walking distance to “town,” ensuring an extra layer of privacy while also keeping you close to bars, restaurants, shops, attractions, and other nearby areas, such as Cripple Creek. This desirable area, located southeast of Cripple Creek, features incredible views, loads of charm, and an abundance of local wildlife. You can even feed the deer from our front yard! Treat the entire family to an unforgettable getaway in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The usual Ubers and Lyfts can also be utilized if you are going a good distance. You can easily walk to town, so if you are adventuring in Victor, you can forgo the use of your car. There is also an inexpensive shuttle service between Victor and Cripple Creek called “The Gold Camp Connector Shuttle Service”; it departs from the 3rd Street Plaza in Victor. In the winter, we recommend a 4WD or AWD vehicle. In the summer, a 4WD or AWD vehicle is not necessary, but it is still recommended. Heart of Gold is a 420-friendly cabin. As medical and recreational marijuana are both legalized in the state of Colorado, these items may be enjoyed in the house and on the grounds. Please be mindful of the laws of the state of Colorado. The closest dispensaries are located about 90 minutes away in Manitou Springs. Like many cabins located in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, Heart of Gold does not have an HVAC system–only central heating. However, due to the mild temperatures that Victor enjoys during the summer, simply opening a few windows should provide sufficient cooling for the space, and allow guests to enjoy the captivating sounds of nature.