Placerville, Sawpit, Down Valley, Ophir, Trout Lake, and San Bernardo to Lizard Head

Sawpit started out as a placer mining camp and sawmill that cut timber for the local mines; it is now a small town bordering the San Miguel River.

Fall Creek, the confluence of Fall Creek and the San Miguel River is now home to a community known as Fall Creek. This town is made up of several small subdivisions along the San Miguel River ideally situated for smaller homes.

Ophir and the Trout Lake area were originally mining camps and a source of power for the mines and are now home to year-round and summer residents of the area with a passion for the high alpine climate. Ophir: This tiny mountain town once home to mining, was overrun by the hippies that came to the Telluride Region in the early 1970’s. It is now the home of many local mountaineers, builders, ski bums and families. In the seventies, there were more dogs than people in Ophir, now it’s having a baby boom with more than 20 babies born in the last few years. Trout Lake, originally summertime cabins, these sites are on commonly owned land once leased from the power company that owns the lake and sends water to the Ames generating power plant through the Pen Stock. These cabins have become mini mansions with huge views of Sheep Mountain, Lizard Head, and the surrounding peaks in a picturesque alpine setting.

San Bernardo, a subdivision of “locals” specifically developed as employee housing, is a great neighborhood just 5 minutes from Mountain Village and 10 from town. Pathfinder sits on the benches above San Bernardo. These large residential lots have in-your-face views of Sheep Mountain and San Bernardo Mountain.

Ames and Lake Fork Junction are subdivisions at the south end of Ilium Valley. Ames and Lake Fork Junction were the site of the first alternating current power generating station in the world; the Ames power plant is still generating power to this day. These smaller lots are nestled along the South Fork of the San Miguel.

Hidden Lake, located high above Trout Lake, are high alpine cabins serving as a wonderful escape from modern living. The winter ski or snowmobile access, make it an adventure on every visit.