Author: EL
Recommendations
ATV through Silverton's local mountain trails. Head to Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures in downtown Silverton. Book an off road rental with the latest side by side from Polaris. You’ll find yourself drunk with raw mountain power heading up Stony’s pass or to a Ghost Town where miners used to live and work.
Conquer the Ice Lake Basin hike. 7-8 miles round trip. Located roughly 20 minutes from Silverton. Find yourself immersed in an ecologically diverse and physically challenging journey well worth the time and effort. One of, if not the best hike I’ve done in Colorado.
Face an initial ascent through the forest near a waterfall, followed by a walk through meadows filled with wildflowers surrounded by peaks (and more waterfalls), capped with a strenuous climb to ice and island lake. This journey features views only capturable by the human eye.
Embrace the solitude of a western mountain town where time has stood still. Through observation and conversation with locals, Silverton is at a crossroads. Its last mine closed in 1991 and the town hasn’t embraced shifting from mining to tourism. This makes it a one-of-a-kind mountain town that locals believe hasn’t ‘sold out’ like many others in Colorado. The Durango Herald shares a feature on this topic.
Lodging and Food Recs:
- The Wyman Hotel: Built in 1902. Clean. Rustic. Book it.
- Kendall Mountain Cafe ($): Breakfast & lunch with a neighborhood diner feel. Locals everywhere.
- El Bandito($): With limited options in town, this place gets the job done.
Dissuasions
Christ of the Mines Statue (statue of J Christ): Located on the side of a mountain near the center of town. This statue is hike-able and could be a recommendation for some. Built to bring mining prosperity back to the town in 1958, its purpose was realized. If you go, don’t go alone. The aura of the statue requires a buddy system.
Swimming in the Animas River: Avoid swimming in this river that meanders near downtown Silverton. Mining waste water spills have made the water unsafe.
Estimated cost key
- $ ($0-20 pp)
- $$ ($20-40 pp)
- $$$ ($40+ pp)
Song Rec:
Time of the Season - The Zombies. A classic song for a classic western town.
Book Rec:
Blood and Thunder - Hampton Sides. A story of an American army of the west sent to invade and occupy lands claimed by Mexico. A complement to this newsletter and a read I am currently enjoying.
Quote to consider:
“The more I see, the less I really know
Feel earth beneath my feet, this place to call my home” - Stick Figure