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Idaho Springs, CO
"Oh My Gawd" Road

"Oh My Gawd" Road begins in downtown Idaho Springs. It's officially called "Virginia Canyon Road". Just watch for the sign that points to Central City and Black Hawk.

"Oh My Gawd" road certainly sounds tempting. Clear Creek County's tourism officials claim the name was inspired by road's narrow width, steep climb, and incredible views.

Oh My Gawd (God) Road, Idaho Springs, Colorado

The views are okay, I suppose. As you climb out of Idaho Springs you'll be treated to a view of the town and Interstate 70.  However, in my opinion, the road wasn't awe-inspiring enough to justify including the Lord's name. At least a half dozen other roads on this trip were more nail-biting or death-defying. (see the note below)

Mining Headframe, Oh My Gawd (God) Road, Idaho Springs, Colorado

 You'll also pass a few mining operations--some are still functioning.  Of course, this is a common sight on almost any dirt road in Colorado.

My plan was to take CO Rte. 119 north from Black Hawk. However, several confusing, poorly marked intersections put me on a new road (too new to appear on my 2004 atlas) which took me back to I-70. It wasn't until then that I realized where I was. That wrong turn ended up costing me an hour: I took I-70 to US 6, which led to Rte. 119, which eventually led back to Black Hawk.
At any rate, taking 119 north will lead you up the "Peak to Peak Byway". Take it all the way to Estes Park, if you like (Rte. 119 connects with Rte. 72, which connects with Rte. 7)
I was still feeling the effects of altitude sickness, so I decided to skip the rest of the byway, and follow 119 into Boulder instead.

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An anonymous visitor wrote: "Your comments are lame. Like "the views were ok, I suppose" you make comments like this under each area, if you didn't enjoy it, don't write about it and don't go back! This area is absolutly beautiful. Your commments leave me cold. If you can't see the beauty in this area you shoudn't be writing about it. It is worth using the "Lords name". You are sad."

Daniel says: When I wrote about "Oh My Gawd Road" I decided to express exactly what I thought about it.  In my opinion it did not live up to the hype that I had read about it, before my trip.  I was expecting a gasp-inspiring, grab the edge of your seat experience, and instead found a narrow dirt road that climbed a hill.  Of course this area is beautiful.  Practically everything in Colorado is beautiful. All I'm saying on this page is that "OMG" Road wasn't as spectacular as I expected.
 


An anonymous visitor wrote: "Hi there - I was looking through the web to remind my girls of some of the road trips we used to take when living in Colorado.  I'm not sure when you took the trip on OMG road, but I thought I would let you know that there has been construction and the road has been widened.  Before the construction, the road truly deserved its name as there was BARELY room for two cars to pass each other on some of the switchbacks.  In fact, as things often look from within the car - it didn't seem like there was enough room at ALL if you met another car on the trip up from Idaho Springs.  Also, if you were in the driver's seat, you were not treated to the death-defying views from the passenger side - a view that included nothing but air and tree-tops!  Regardless, thanks for posting some of these pictures.  It brings back some good memories."


Eric Skougstad provides even more insight into the road's name: "The road actually takes its name from mining operations from almost a century ago. The miners would make their way down from Central City into Idaho Springs. The horse drawn carts, loaded with rocks and gold, had very poor, if any, brakes. THAT warrants using the Lord's name in vain! The Arco Mill solved that problem, but that is a different story (one that involves middle eastern Royalty)..."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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