colorado trail silverton to durango map

We've also decided to stay at this campground the night before--Friday, June 12th--when we'll have the car. Mostly, I just thought it would be fun that way. I found out that the trail does not go right into Silverton, and the nearest CT trailhead is about 7 miles away on the Million Dollar Highway, which is narrow and not safe for walking along the side of the road. I emailed the Town of Silverton at info@silvertoncolorado.com with this question and got a same-day response. Your mentioning of getting off the Silverton - Durango train reminded me of my backpacking trips up into Chicago Basin. I love reading about your adventures. So as of right now, we're planning to hike the railroad right-of-way from Silverton along the Animas River to rendezvous with the CT. 5/28/09 Update: Well, I didn't realize it's illegal to hike a railroad right-of-way (people apparently just do it, but I don't like to break rules), so we're coming up with plan B. We'd probably be better off waiting a week or two, but my other plans prevent us from doing that. Hiking is not for me. This trail can definitely be completed within a month if needed. Molas Pass is at 10886 but you then hike down to the Animas River and the train tracks at 8918. It brings back memories of our trips to Colorado. This is a very useful and what I consider indispensable resource for hiking the CT, and I'd highly recommend photocopying pages for the section you'll be hiking and taking them with you. At a top speed of 18 miles an hour, the train takes about 3.5 hours to travel from Durango to Silverton. Shortest was the last at around 8. Yes, he did. Kinda neat--we'll drive in ninety minutes what we'll take the better part of a week to hike (although the route is different, of course). Stay on the Colorado Trail for more great singletrack, or exit Hotel Draw towards Durango, or take a right turn on Scotch Creek Rd for a downhill To Rico. The metadata also shows the period of record and variables for which a station has reported. Also, cool mining ruins. That comes to 12.32 miles per day from Sunday through Friday. The trail system mainly consists of old mining roads that wind near abandoned mines, railroads, mills, and ghost towns, providing visitors a glimpse into the areas history. All booked up. Detour Arapahoe Rd. Answer: I'm sorry, I don't recall that in enough detail to answer your question. We had completed the entire Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. Out of the entire Colorado Trail, arguably the most highly-acclaimed portion is the long stretch running from the town of Silverton to the southern terminus of the trail in Durango. Met Brett and Ann working hard on Segment 26 of the Colorado Trail which is always appreciated! The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail extending for 486 miles from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado. Change). Cynthia Sylvestermouse from United States on July 28, 2011: I love Colorado and I love taking mini hikes, but something tells me this would be beyond my current abilities. Getting out of Silverton was another blunder. It's along these high-clearance roads where you'll find most of our recommendations. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Incredibly beautiful, there was even snow on ground!!!! For certain a favorite segment on the Colorado Trail! Daily runs between Durango and Silverton operate May 2nd through October 31st, 2009, with prices ranging from $79 to $179 for adults for the 3.5-hour trip. Oddly, he got a 7 mile ride with this truck driver. Still a day out on the trail so I cannot complain! Not mind blowing but still great scenery. arguably the best continuous singletrack in the state as the San Juan Mountains are traversed for over 75 miles from Silverton to Durango. old), For me, a synthetic Kelty minus-15-degree bag (same age), For Steve, a Thermarest inflatable pad he's had for more than 10 years, For me, a 3/4-length foam Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Mattress (because I'm tougher than Steve). Close by the trailhead isJunction Creek Campground, which would be a convenient way to continue your camping adventure. Longest day was around 16. You can also arrange for food drops here and there, wherever you see the trail cross one of the mountain roads, and at each section point. Through hikers intending to stop at Molas Lake should be aware that they will hike 2.5 miles from there to the "start" of CT-25. There is also the option of taking the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway train from Silverton to Elk Park, where we could access the Colorado Trail (there's a "short stop" there), but I'm not sure I'd want to do that either, for the same reason I gave above. Not to mention the fact that spending six months on a trail, or even a month or so on the CT, isn't for everyone. Not sure what is going on- like a road being built. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. " 03/01/2023. (Or a $7 shower.). Easier. The center closes at 4pm, so if you're going to park there, either get there before then or call to let them know. With nearly 500 miles of length from Denver Metro to Durango, it may take up to six weeks to complete its entire length. Day one also saw a hefty sidewall slice in one of James tires. Photo by Steve Hume. Of course it's majestic. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. From online reviews I've read, I expect the rooms will be basic but clean. It took me over an hour to do one lenses this morning. Plenty of hikers use the train to get up into the San Juan's. One way scheduled trains take 3 hours Well, we want to avoid the monsoon season and its frequent thunderstorms, which means the majority of July and August are out. CO Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K Jul 8, 2023 Clear your browsing data in order to view the new map. Lucky for us, though, there was room on the train, so we were able to move to an inside car. Youll need warm clothing and rain gear, even if youre just out for the day. We'll be staying at the: Dollar Inn2391 Main AvenueDurango, CO 81301800-727-3746970-247-0593Website: DollarInn.comEmail: ted@tedsrental.com. Colorado Springs, CO. City Location El Paso County, CO. details update save claim feature. For that reason, we'll have some additional emergency gear in the event we'd get separated. Instead, we've decided to carpool and spend the extra money on the scenic train ride. 184Dolores, CO 81323970-882-7296, See the Colorado Trail Segment Chart: Resources by Segment, Portion of Segment 24: Elk Park to Molas Pass, There is a 1,840-foot elevation gain between Elk Park and Molas Pass. Hike the whole thing or take it in these suggested hiking-trail segments over mountains, lakes and towns. 3-liter water bladder for extra capacity for the long, dry stretch, (1) 12-pack of Aquamira purification tablets (carried by the one who isn't carrying the filter), Nylon water tote (for carrying extra water from the source back to camp), Dental floss (long section, each person; has other uses besides teeth cleaning), Comb (share, because Steve doesn't have cooties), All Weather space blanket with grommets (just me), Nylon cord, 50 ft., carried by me for use with the emergency blanket (as a tarp) if necessary or to bear bag food or whatever else, Duct tape (wrapped around a trekking pole), Cell phone (1 each, turned off! Being at the higher elevations at the eastern end of the trail, and hiking in mid-June, we know we may encounter snow, on the ground at least. Steve Hume and friends head out for a multi-day adventure on the Colorado Trail. I'm impressed with the train track too! We have one week for this trip, with a weekend at either end. Slept well in my tent. Colorados epic Colorado Trail runs 485 miles between Waterton Canyon in southwest Denver and Durango. There are plenty of ways to get from Durango to Silverton if you have activities planned in the nearby town. Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K. Sherry Venegas from La Verne, CA on June 02, 2009: This area is spectacular. . Interesting hike different terrains would definitely recommend it. Page 295 - LandWatch has 7,485 land listings for sale in Colorado. Since it's the same price to take the Durango-Silverton train one way as it is round-trip, and since we've reserved $79 seats for the ride from Durango back to Silverton at the end of the hike on June 20th, I'm going to inquire whether we could take the train from Silverton to Elk Park as part of a round trip at the start on June 13th. This is some of the best and most remote singletrack in Colorado. ", Molas Lake Campground (pictured below):Highway 550 (aka Million Dollar Highway)Silverton, Colorado 81433(866)731-5204Website: MolasLake.com, Molas Lake Campground on the Colorado Trail, Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road. From there, though, more bike-pushing awaited. What a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July! The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile point-to-point backpacking route in Colorado. There is reserved seating on the train. ), Esbit fuel tablets (so the other of us can cook a second item or heat water for drinks while the Whisperlight is in use). Turned out, this has been an unusually cold and wet spring in Colorado. This is now on my list of bucket list hikes (perhaps in prep to thru-hike the whole CT in the next 5 years or so). Browse our Colorado land for sale listings, view photos and contact an agent today! As I've already mentioned, we'll be using the Durango-Silverton train as our means of shuttling. The elevation of the Colorado Trail ranges from 5,280 feet at the eastern end near Denver to 13,000 feet at Silver Mesa near Durango to the west, passing through three "life zones" along the way. I have heard so many good things about colorado, what a interesting experience. The MLS # for this home is MLS# 800492. Section-hiking requires travel to and from the trail multiple times if you do multiple sections. (See more details below.) As in, at least 30 degrees colder and a lot wetter. Wide open ,next to trees.Early morning pictures 11,12. Left our car at the B&B we stayed out. Distance (one-way): 12 miles Northern trailhead/minimum elevation: 10,700 feet (FR 585) Southern trailhead elevation: 11,100 feet (FR 578) Maximum elevation: 12,500 feet At a Glance General Information Directions: From Durango, CO : Take U.S. 550 30 miles north of Durango to FDR #578 and go 16 miles on this road until you reach the trailhead. I did get to see the Durango to Silverton Tourist train go by and it did look like a good ride. One great feature of the Colorado Trail is the relative abundance of water. As I mentioned earlier, the season is short and you should also prepare for mountain conditions. In this case, it's the Animas River, which is very popular for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Then take Junction Creek Road to where it enters the San Juan National Forest. Between our miles on the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail, we have now walked over 5,000 miles together! In the morning, we'll drive to Silverton, where we'll leave the car at the Visitor Center as planned, take the 2pm train to Elk Park and hike BACK to the campground. Living here in Colorado, there is a good possibility of hiking this trail. He said that section was targeted for work later in the summer. I grew up in Durango, left for college and now live in Montana. Rode it all the way to Silverton. Some officially designated wilderness sections are closed to mountain bikes, but there are detours for bikers around those areas. This looks like the kind of hike I would love to do. SUMMER 1966 ROMANTIC SOUTHWEST COLORADO WEEKLY GUIDE PUBLISHED BY THE DURANGO-CORTEZ HERALD FEATURING A NAVAJO TRAIL MAP AND THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY D&RGW SILVERTON TRAIN TRIP. The trailhead (elevation: 6983 ft) is on Junction Creek Road, around 2.5-3.0 miles from downtown Durango (there is also another parking lot that grants access . Rain, snow and more rain. Lots of mountain bikers out today. Lot 5043 Siksika Trail, . No stamina. Lots of good restaurants. Underwear (I don't know about Steve, but I take 3 pr. In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation. Five Stars and a Fav. We'll also have those extra 5.8 miles in segment 24, from Elk Park to Molas Pass. These give a great overview of the trail and surrounding area. We're now planning to do this hike with a third person, so we could use two cars and leave one in Durango at the trailhead. The 500-mile Colorado Trail is one of the nation's premier long-distance hiking trail and runs from Denver to Durango. The campgrounds look incredible, as do the small towns. To order, call the CT Store at 1-866-279-6962 (toll free). For Rent. Was especially fond of the view of Lizard Head Peak. No blood, no worries. At such a high altitude, the weather can change rapidly. Running for 535 miles between Denver and Durango, the trail crosses high alpine mountain passes and drops into beautiful valleys as it traverses the most beautiful portions of the state of Colorado. Would we perhaps enjoy it more by rearranging this for the Friday. Trail narrows a couple miles in and climbs into the trees, some fallen logs. There are endless options for bike rides and hikes here. Probably the hottest we got on the entire trip. Your email address will not be published. 10 miles from San Luis Pass at the intersection of Segments 20 and 21. No lockers at the transit station. We were in Molas Lake Campgrounds on July 5th. Contents include splinter grabber forceps, iodine ointment, antibiotic ointment, 2 sterile butterfly wound closures, sting relief pad, tincture of benzoin, adhesive tape, conforming gauze, 5 adhesive strips, 4 sterile gauze pads, 2 telfa non-adherent pads, Acetaminophen tablets, Antihistamine tablets, Ibuprofen tablets. What are the typical weather conditions for that time of year? They just ask that we go inside and let them know our plans. Outstanding work once again! Some officially designated wilderness sections are closed to mountain bikes, but there are detours for bikers around those areas. I wish we had your stamina to be able to do all the backpacking you do. I had planned on taking the 9:30am train. In the 20min I had available before boarding? Steve Hume from the Hardtail Party YouTube channel joined two friends on a bikepacking trip on the Colorado Trail, riding 75 miles from Silverton to Durango. Gudy attended the first focus meeting about a trail from Denver to Durango in 1974 and never missed a meeting in those early days of the CT. I visited Boulder and Mount Estes Park, which were easy to get to by car. This entire stretch of singletrack has also been designated by the International Mountain Bike Association as one of their "Epic" rides. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Galloping Goose Trail (CO) and Animas River Trail. Created in the 1970s and 1980s, the trail consists of a variety of landscapes but is mostly rugged and mountainous alpine terrain. It includes magnetic declinations for compass users and maps showing each bicycle detour around the Wilderness areas. When we get off the train, we'll have an elevation gain of more than 1,800 feet, right off the bat. Originally, I thought it would be nice to hike west to east, from Durango to Silverton, for a couple of reasons, one being that we could do future contiguous sections, all heading to the east, so we'd always begin where we last ended. I've been wanting to go back and hike the trail from the time they started talking about building it. I love them for bikepacking!. We'll also add moleskin, safety pins and 2pr of nitrite gloves. We'll still carry what we need and then some back-up gear "just in case. From on pass to the next through meadows of flowers, this route offers huge views in all directions, techy climbs, and long descents. I'm sharing our gear list here just for the sake of sharing, not because I think our choices will suit all other hikers. Since our train from Silverton to Elk Park doesn't leave till 2pm on Saturday, we've decided to stay at Molas Lake Campground our first night on the trail and then continue on into Segment 25. Arriving at the pass I met a European who was nearly finished the 500 mile Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail: 75 Miles from Silverton to Durango - Infinite Geography The Colorado Trail: 75 Miles from Silverton to Durango Posted on August 13, 2017 by Bekah Eaton Leave a Comment Day 33 - 10.3 Miles We pulled ourselves out of Silverton just after noon with enough supplies for our final 75 miles of the Colorado Trail. Oddly, CT-24 ends and CT-25 begins at 550, not at the campgrounds at Molas Lake or Little Molas Lake. I've got it in my head that we're going to park our car in town and walk all the way to Durango. Cold and wet, Steve still has to stop to check out a giant puffball on the CT near Molas Pass. For lunch I hit the southern Barbecue joint Thee Pits Again.Pork ribs, baked beans, cornbread and very British bread pudding for desert. The majority of "thru-hikers," who complete the Colorado Trail in one continuous journey, travel from east to west. Water falls. Metadata includes the station's name and ID, latitude, longitude, and elevations. Put up your tent anywhere you like. Sunny every day,great hiking.1999,june. The Colorado Trail, South Topographic Map Guide has been designed as the perfect traveling companion when navigating the southern section of The Colorado Trail. I also updated the information after the trip. It was an unusually wet and cold June on the Colorado Trail in 2009. This is an absolutely beautiful stretch of the Colorado Trail, right through the heart of the San Juans. Neat miners cabin. Colorado Trail: Molas Pass to Engineer Mountain, Mountain Bike the Breathtaking Colorado Trail, Bucket List Worthy: All 4 of Colorados IMBA Epic Rides, Durango: Most Underrated MTB Destination in Colorado. I have done the train. The book can be disassembled, so you can carry just what you need. Hopefully I can get out on some trails when I visit the US later this year! We planned, mapped, prepped, and loaded up to start the journey. They have both unisex and co-ed bunk rooms. We do plan to spend the night in Durango before taking the train back to Silverton, but we don't want to spend big bucks on a hotel, so we're looking at some inexpensive options. Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest367 Pearl St.P.O. My last restaurant meal before hitting the trail.I wandered the town while my togs were drying. If you've never done it, I highly recommend a ride on the DSNGR train. After the fact: On that last point uh-huh! The Colorado Trail is incredible and a lovely length for a thru hike. Great, very specific overview. I have a couple of Colorado sites as well. Crossed a fairly long slickrock talus slope. Someday .. Hi! Sat: Sun: Mon: Tue: Wed: Thu: Fri: Multiple: Hide Map. Durango to Silverton or vice versa? Depending on how active you are between hikes, you may not be as trail hardy and fit when you begin each section-hike as you would if you were thru-hiking, so difficult sections -- including those at altitude -- may be even tougher. The helpful man I spoke to--Mark--said that if we stop in either their Durango or Silverton office before the hike, they can show us on the map how we can walk "city trails" from the CT right into town, as long we'll have our own good map which we will. About 13 mi from Little Molas, a waterfall is passed, in another half miles a constructed bridge crosses another one, with a site for 2-4 tents at the bridge, and 1-2 tents at a flat spot at the base of the falls, bit of a scramble to get to but worth it. After the fact: Well, we ended up staying at the Spanish Trails Inn on Main Street instead, because it was just $39 plus tax, and also because the Dollar Inn was undergoing renovations and didn't look so hot at the time. Steve and I have driven through historic Silverton a few times, but we've never actually stopped. Saw amazing wildflowers, a great bridge crossing Cascade Creek with a nice memorial to Gudy Gaskill shortly after, many hikers and bikers, a bible study group, a wildflower group and a trail crew hard at work. Have printed out your supply list! . I live in Denver and we are always looking for a good spot to go hiking. We've visited this small city of about 16,000 residents several times. **I spoke to Mark, who's "the hiker" in the office, and he was a BIG help in planning our trip. It is estimated that 150 people complete the CT each year. @KathyMcGraw2: Same here, im really enjoying reading about these trips. In a state known for its trails, The Colorado Trail is Colorado's premier long distance trail. It aint easy, but its worth it! The IMBA Epic portion of the Colorado Trail from Silverton to Durango. James had a minor OTB but he picked himself up and rode on without much trouble. We completed the trail from July 5 August 10. We stopped for a break and the view at Gudy's Rest four miles before Durango. Sure, the trail is simple. After the fact: The folks at the Visitor Center were very nice. Hiked with my daughter and son-in-law Segments 25-28 (Durango terminus) mid July. What started out as a fairly warm day in Durango turned rainy and very cold by the time we got halfway to Silverton. Durango is about six-hours from here, but we're starting our hike in Silverton, so that's about another hour and a half through the mountains on US 550, also called "The Million-Dollar Highway." Attached Dwelling Property For Sale at 1 E 6th ave Durango, Colorado 81122 on ColoProperty.com . That means summer storms that roll in after lunch, often packinglightning. We'll bring an Atwater Carey Personal First Aid Kit. Silverton via Stony Pass - 26.4%; Durango - 3.9%; Lake City via Spring . My husband is a train enthusiast and someday we hope to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway train. Skyblue Overland may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. The famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the country's only coal-and-steam-powered train operating daily. I felt like this was the season I needed to take on the Colorado Trail. Location and contact. So that will make our trip 79.7 miles. Cody rolled in chipper as hell, as if hed only done a mile or so downhill. There are no wilderness areas near here, so you can bike the Colorado Trail all the way from here to Durango! Sep 11. we decided to go for it! Check out the Foundationswebsitefor more practical info. What may be t-shirt temps in the valleys can turn into numbing wind and a whiteout at the passes. View the Colorado Map of Ski Resorts for an integrated list of all ski and snowboard resorts. The morning walk flew by and that was that! And some things may change. You are young and healthy. Colorado. Not as popular as Needleton for hikers, Elk Park is where the railroad crosses the Colorado Trail . Amazing so many views of Engineer Mountain and the Weimenuche Wilderness. For 140 years, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been transporting passengers through the remote, scenic wilderness and high mountain landscape of the San Juan National Forest.. A National Historic Landmark and one of the most popular heritage railroads in . Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880.