So I’m just wondering if anybody who attends or attended Mines could describe what life is like on campus. I know Golden is a beautiful setting and Mines is an outstanding academic school, but what is the social environment like? Is their lots to do, lots of people to meet, or does it feel pretty isolated? Any info is greatly appreciated!
I lived in Golden for a few years. Practically speaking, you’re 20-30 minutes out of downtown Denver… so if you’re up for dancing at Beta or another popular club, it’s fairly convenient to do so.
Golden itself is a cute little town for knocking around.
The real draw of the area, of course, are the myriad awesome hiking opportunities. There are multiple 14’ers (14,000-foot-plus peaks) within a few hours’ drive of Denver and awesome hiking and sights close by: Lookout Mountain, home of Buffalo Bill Cody’s grave, is kind of a near beginner’s hike.
My favorite hike was Chief Mountain (across a valley from the slightly shorter Squaw Mountain), topping out at a paltry 11,700 feet. The very pinnacle (on top of a climbable 20-foot-tall tower of rock slabs…) is easily accessible and the view is breathtaking. Had it not generally been so windy, I could have stood and sat there for hours.
True story: I made a winter hike up to the top once and lost the trail on the way down. I knew the general direction of my car, so I made a beeline in that direction, straight down the mountain – stepping in thigh-deep snow and dodging pine branches (below about 11,500 feet) – until I picked up the trail again. That was a bit scary at the time, given the terrible cell reception and the fact I was alone, but the thrill of it all was pretty cool (balancing the unease).
Chief Mountain might be, oh, 40 minutes from Golden; Lookout Mountain is right there in Golden; Green Mountain, more in eastern Golden/western Lakewood, is maybe ten minutes away (another beginner hike); Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods, and Pike’s Peak are easy drives.
If you want proximity to an urban center, adventure and glorious views, Mines delivers.
Thank you very much for the info! I’m glad you made it down safely haha