The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury. Whatever you choose, either finishing the entire trail or just doing a segment or three, be sure you are prepared, informed of your options, and hopefully quite ready for another adventure. Put up your tent anywhere you like. On one hand you have the issue of trails being covered in snow until mid June or early July but at the same time, spring brings the stunning spectacle of snow capped peaks and dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. Silverton Rock Pirates doesnt just offer off road vehicle rentals, they make the entire experience pure fun! In the 20min I had available before boarding? Hike back. Bikepacking The Colorado Trail: Silverton to Durango via segments 25, 26, 27, and 28. Best of all, you get to end in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. This is one of the most renowned ice climbing destinations in the world due its accessibility and hundreds of routes. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. 395mi, Thru ride from Denver to Durango, with about 15 miles of side-trail to go into Dillon for a night. Totally Delicious -- and Totally Healthy Durango Restaurants, Water Safety on the Rivers, Lakes, and Beaches, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Facts. Deer, elk, black bear, Bighorn Sheep, mountain lions and moose are sometimes sighted as well as eagles, hawks, osprey, geese, squirrels, marmots and fox. Carry a Personal Locator Beacon or Sattilite communication device. No facilities. The vista looked great from Molas. The trails youre about to enjoy wouldnt exist without our year-round work to plan, build, and maintain them. Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose #5 Excursions, K-28 100th Anniversary Fall Photo Special, Ghost Crawl: Haunted Durango Train Museum Experience, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. 18,000) by Roadrunner, the only long distance bus in and out of town. As befits a town of its size, it boasts a full range of services and is a popular resupply point for CT travelers. Within 15 minutes of downtown you can explore dozens of trails in the dry mountains nearby or you can head north on the Million Dollar Highway and be in jagged, alpine-esque peaks. This can require a fair amount of planning for longer stretches of more remote trail. The trail winds through nearly 500 miles of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains drawing hikers from around the world and is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Tents okay. The Colorado Trail can be a life-changing experience if you let it! The COT forms one-third of the Triple Crown of Bikepacking, along with the Arizona Trail and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. To be honest, I prefer the San Juan Skyway over the Million Dollar Highway purely because of Telluride. You may want to also join us on Instagram and follow our travels.. To reach the trailhead you dont need 4WD but it is a semi-rough dirt road (no RVs). When descending Red Mountain Pass, its not hard to see where the pass gets its name. The historic hotel has a great location in downtown and a nice outdoor terrace. Tell someone your agenda and when you expect to be back, and let them know when you are back. Visit the Mayflower Mill, Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour, be deputized by the Silverton Gunfighters, or take a listen to the Silverton Brass Band; all offered May to October. Cows, cowboy ranches and wide open views. The Colorado Trail Foundation breaks the trail up into 28 different sections. People can easily get lost on the trail, so make sure someone knows where you should be and roughly when you should be there. Fishing Are there good fishing spots? The D&SNGRR travels 45.4 miles each way along the Animas River from Durango to Silverton during our summer season May through October. Oddly, he got a 7 mile ride with this truck driver. 820.62 m Down, 14.3 mi Navigation Is the CT well marked? WebSilverton Trail Systems. Drops, roots, boulders--as the singletrack transitions down into drier climate zones, the technical challenges just keep coming, all the way until the final relatively-smooth stretch before the trail's terminus. Note: The Southwest ascent is a Class 3 scramble and is for expert hikers only. 2,810' Up 102.66 m Up I recommend spending 1-2 nights in each city along the Million Dollar Highway including Durango, Silverton, and Ouray. Reservable. Big RVs okay. Many of Silvertons top trails go far into the Weminuche Wilderness Area and must be backpacked. Very mentally and physically demanding. Sleeps up to 4. Its also conveniently close to the city of Durango. From there, get ready for the time of you life! The time off, planning, safety, and all the logistics of a multi-week are overwhelming, so Ive tried to focus on trips that are slightly outside my comfort zone, but still attainable. 1974 Silverton Train Narrow Gauge Ride Schedule Vintage Colorado Travel Pretty forested campground conveniently located at the trailhead to the Colorado Trail and the Log chutes trail network, great for hiking and mountain biking. As you leave Marshall Pass, you will enter the cattle country of Cochetopa Valley. Now if youre like us and are looking for the most epic hike possible, youre definitely going to want to tackle one of Colorados most famous 14ers, Mount Sneffels (super intimidating name, am I right?). Dont feel bad for having to turn around or end your outing earlier than planned. I stayed on the train at both Needleton and Elk Park. La Plata View Vacation Rental This modern, spacious, and cozy cabin is located on a beautiful property with mountain views. Telluride is condensed between massive peaks. But once on top, its time to rip down! Youll also pass the trailhead for Columbine Lake which is a top hike for alpine lake lovers. 1244.5 m Up (This tourist trap is expensive during high season.). NOT OKAY! As you near the Animas River, listen carefully for the shrill whistles from the trains navigating the narrow gauge railway that connects the old mining towns of Silverton and Durango. Most people hike from east to west because the snowpack melts first on the lower elevations on the easternmost part of the trail, meaning you can start slightly earlier in the season if you go this direction. Durango, Colorado. Slightly lower elevation and slightly shorter in length. Ouray is a pretty mountain town filled with rolling valleys and surrounded by sheer rock faces but its ecosystem is dry, unlike the typical mountain town you picture in Colorado. You need to be logged in to use these features. Wahoo! The Holy Cross Wilderness is a wild and scenic part of the trail that climbs steeply over high ridges and jagged peaks before descending into densely forested valleys. You will need sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. For more great Colorado Trail content, check out Aakozikwe by Alexandera Houchin, a personal reflection of her experience racing the trail earlier this year. This is about an injury or accident b) Flash Thunderstorms: Colorado is known for it's flash thunderstorms that hit the mountains almost every day. If you are stuck on ridge, then get into the lightning position by crouching down on the balls of your feet, putting your head down towards your legs and covering your ears with your hands. WebSilverton; Durango; Map: Colorado Trail (jpg) Length: 486 miles (782 km) Highest Point 13,271 feet (4,045 m) Trail Difficulty Moderate to Strenuous. At higher elevations, bear bagging is not possible. 336' Down However, whats coolest about Silverton isnt the vintage town feel, its the explorations that lie beyond. As he recounted his story, I gained a healthy dose of respect and reverence for this trail. WebDurango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. Hitchhiking can be difficult because of the long distances between the towns and trail. Since then, the trail has welcomed hikers of all skill levels and interests, from experienced thru-hikers to day hikers. Then click the link below and vote for theDurangoTrain! Scenic and Colorado Trail access. If youre driving in Colorado, you can find current road conditions by visiting the CO Department of Transportations Web site at COTrip.org Staying in Silverton is not much of a destination however, staying right in town is very convenient if you want to go off roading for a full day trip. 3.) Very steep. Lower Hermosa NF Campground $18 per night. 1272.29 m Down, 14.0 mi Actually, Silverton has no grocery store. 2,367' Down Pit toilets. Welcome to my favorite section of the Million Dollar Highway. Junction is 5 minutes north of Silverton. But he needed to resupply in Silverton, staying at the hostel there one night. (LogOut/ 6 miles from Silverton. No tents. Dates: June 1-October 14, 2023 (No tours on July 4, 2023) This tour can only be booked by phone. Most hikers take advantage of the warm temperatures and longer days to hike in the summer, though some prefer a later start that avoids the frequent summer thunderstorms and crowds. We drive you up in our 4-wheel drive vehicle and drop you at The Colorado Trail. Hope this helped you with everything you need to know to drive the Million Dollar Highway! From Denver to Breckenridge, the trail is characterized mainly by fast and buff singletrack, with the exception being the descent off of Georgia Pass, which is quite rocky and rooty in spots. See our related blog for 7 Things to do in Telluride. Slept well in my tent. You'll climb over Coal Bank Pass, which has a summit of 10,660 feet, and Molas Pass. Hiking from west to east is less common as you start in the steep San Juan Mountains and end in the rather anticlimactic Waterton Canyon area. The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. On top of skiing, you may enjoy sledding, tubing and ice-skating at Kendall Mountain. Durangos elevation is 6,512 feet above sea level and Silverton sits comfortably at 9,305 feet elevation. After you pass Engineer Mountain youll reach the scenic viewpoint of Coal Bank Pass at 10,610 feet elevation, where you should definitely stop and take it in before weaving your way along one of the prettiest sections of the Million Dollar Highway. Take a moment to take a photo by the trailhead sign. After crossing Highway 9 north of Breck, the 12 miles leading to Copper Mountain are brutal and take 2nd place in the bumpiest and rockiest category of the entire trail. Most thru-hikersstart no earlier than late June (preferably July 1st) and finish no later than the end of September (preferably September 15). Teller House Inn Teller House is a quaint, historic, boutique hotel but its also clean, comfortable, and most importantly, centrally located on Silvertons small Main Street. Sometimes signage can disappear or cairns can crumble from rough weather, which can make it possible to get lost. No facilities. No facilities. It also has 2 restaurants and overlooks the Animas River. Some hikers will hang their bag, but only at lower elevations where there are ample trees. Be sure to stop by the Silverton Museum, Jail and Mining Heritage Center and uncover many artifacts of San Juan Countys past. Third is, once again, off roading. This makes it a common place for travelers to stay for a few days. If you have more time, combine this trip with the San Juan Skyway and stay in Telluride for a few days. 2.) Junction Creek NF Campground $25 per night. 856.63 m Up Ouray doesnt have a ton of camping options but it doesnt need to, this campground and RV Park is a destination in itself. Water, showers, laundry. You can mountain bike up the Jones/Dutch Creek loop, hike the Purgatory Trail, backpack to Chicago Basin, camp, fish, or hike on Haviland Lake, climb easy single pitch at Fume Wall, hike up to Castle Rock or even tackle the multi pitch routes that ascend the face. Those who have done longer trips backpacking and camping claim it is a life-changing, amazing experience. However, the road crossings are a little farther apart (between 20 and 70 miles) and, often times, several miles from the actual trail. The Million Dollar Highway is famous for its incredible nature so it only makes sense to spend your nights in scenic campgrounds from Durango to Ouray. While its mills and mining are no longer under operation, the town has kept its historic feel intact and it really feels as if youve gone back in time. Maps Where can I purchase maps of The Colorado Trail? Women of the Colorado Trail Facebook Group. Old fashioned buildings line the streeterr, well its just a dirt road. Really close to Silverton. Many had recommended the very LAST section of the 500 mile Colorado Trail the San Juans as the best part. Together they are inspiring others to explore the outdoors, defy the norm, and live their dreams. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. You should always have a guidebook and/ or map on you though. Search for other accommodation on AirBnb. This might be good or bad depending on your preference. San Juan Skyway Map. No lockers at the train station. The trail also skirts around two of Colorados tallest peaks, Mount Massive and Mount Elbert which you can summit on side trails. Durango to Silverton From Durango, take US 550 North to Silverton. The miles will feel like theyre ticking along quickly, as the views from Indian Trail Ridge are to die for! Mostly ride-able but still lots of hike-a bike. Spanning 26 miles each Because of this, most hikers use bear canisters and/ orscent-proof bags to store their food. Abut 15 minutes north of Durango. Heading out of town towards the 4-wheel drive Alpine Loop will take you on an excursion connecting Silverton, Lake City and Ouray through ghost towns and old mining claims. 504h 00m, EPIC! Theres a pump track and a small trail ride on the east side of town and though hiking is possible, its best to be ready for a multi day hike. Some wilderness areas on the path require permits, but they are free. After stopping at Creede, hikers begin a roller coaster ride of ups and downs through the San Juan Mountains. The fun doesnt have to stop here, with easy access to hiking and mountain biking trails in the Uncompahgre and Weminuche Wilderness areas you have access toan abundance of alpine lakes, waterfalls, and fields of wildflowers. But does have a gear shop (fuel) and plenty of restaurants. A moderate climb about halfway through the descent will keep you honest, and then the shredding continues! 30.6 km It can be a little stressful for new rv, fifth wheel or trailer drivers. If you go east, expect a nice forest walk through groves of pine and aspen and the occasional road walk. Here theres also the cant miss restaurant James Harvest Ranch Grill, which is home to some of the best craft burgers weve ever tasted and is best enjoyed after a long day outdoors. 4,083' Down (LogOut/ Ironton Park Free dispersed camping. Some technical terrain and limited alternate lines. Bring in proper gear and ensure that you bring out whatever waste you bring to protect the environment. Something between dirt lot and a campground. Note that this is an estimate and fall colors could leave early in the case of an early storm. Except for severe weather conditions, the D&SNG runs trains as scheduled. Most of the Colorado Trail is a single route. If you want to save money and prefer solitude instead of proximity to town, stay here. When you enter this part of the trail, you must decide if you are going to take the traditional east collegiate route or the new west collegiate route. Zoom in or click on the cluster to get closer and see more detail. WebCan you get on The Colorado Trail by using the train that goes between Durango and Silverton? Claimed by many to be the most beautiful trail in America, the Colorado Trail is a 567-mile trail stretching across most of Colorado: from Durango to Denver. I will add that it can be a bit unnerving to drive the Million Dollar Highway in an RV or when towing however it is still doable. The drive leading up to Red Mountain Pass is really quite moderate and typical of Colorado roads so if just that section unnerves you, I wouldnt recommend going on to Ouray. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. The scenic section that we refer to as the Million Dollar Highway is the 25-mile section between Ouray and Silverton, then from Silverton to Durango the scenic road technically becomes the San Juan Skyway. Spam? Sits on the Animas Bike Path. 4,174' Down Downtown Silverton along Greene & Blair Streets boasts of a bold past and is designated as a National Historic District. Clear skies. While cross country riders could undoubtedly enjoy this trail as well, enduro-oriented mountain bikers riding bikes with a lot of suspension travel are guaranteed to love this beautiful, challenging descent! Try out our inexpensive in-town ski area at Kendall Mountain with a double chairlift accessing three beginner trails and one intermediate trail. The San Juan Skyway and the Million Dollar Highway can easily be combined to make a loop by heading left when you hit Ridgeway, passing Dallas Divide, and then continuing down highway 145. Molas Lake Campground $30 per night. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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