Written by Charlene Kay Knoll, in 1977, the paper provides insights into the history of Ashcroft.

Introduction:

Each mining area within the state of Colorado not only has a history similar to all other mining areas within the state, but also one unique unto itself. It should be remembered that each camp no matter how successful, no matter what its size, no matter how fleeting or prolonged its existence, contributed a unique “something” to the history of the state.
The task of the researcher is to find that unique “something.
One mining community which began with great promise in 1879 was Ashcroft, located in the remote Elk Mountains, fourteen miles up Castle Creek from the equally infant camp of Aspen. Ashcroft, located at an elevation of 9,498 feet is surrounded by majestic beauty. No major mountain in the area–McArthur Mountain .(12,139), Gold Hill (12,361), Ashcroft “Mountain (12,381), Taylor Peak (13,435), Star Peak (13,521), Pearl Mountain (13,362), Castle Peak (14,265); Conundrum Peak (14,022), Cathedral Peak (13,943), Bayden Peak (13,561) –.i5 under.12,000 feet. An ever present
problem facing early day miners was accessibility to supply points and smelters.