Looking for mild trails to ghost towns/ruins.

I'm planning a trip to CO and was hoping to find some mild trails to run in my mostly stock/daily driven Taco. I've been following some posts here where folks are checking out old mines and such, and I'm loving it.

I'd really like to get to check out some old ghost towns, mines, and/or ruins but need some help putting together a list of trails to run as opposed to combing through tons of threads. Basically, I'm looking to see cool stuff without tearing up or hanging up my truck. Oh, and bonus points for hot springs!

I'm planning on being in the northern part of the state and spending some time in FoCo, although I may drop down around Leadville for kicks. So, any recommendations?

 

HMM

 

If you do have to do research, check out http://www.traildamage.com/google_colorado.php for a map with trailhead pins. While it won't cover all FS roads, it's a decent resource. Also, hitting up the FS website for whichever area you'll be in should get you a link to their MVUMs (motor vehicle use maps) so you may find milder roads to explore that aren't on TrailDamage.

 

Oh, and hot springs off the top of my head are in Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, Idaho Springs and Nathrop.

 

You might take a look at https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-the-best-easyish-trail-around-estes-park.384762/ I'm not aware of a lot of ghost town/mining ruins of any significance up here. You'd have to go further south, off the I70 corridor or back up 72/119/6. And of course the further south and west you go the more you'll see of that kind of thing. Leadville is a mining area, and a bit further down to Buena Vista/Nathrop/Salida/Poncha Springs. The Silverton/Telluride/Ouray area would be kind of the capital though.

 

Something to keep in mind is "when" you are planning this trip. It won't be long before higher altitude trails will be sacked in with snow. We're having a late fall this year, so exploring is still open. Many FS roads are not maintained in winter.