A group from AL and LA are trailering to Silverton for a week the later part of June. Looking for trail recommendations. We're camping at an RV camp in Silverton and plan on making out and back runs from the campground.
Hi Mike,
I'm from Tucson, AZ. We go to Silverton every year. We'll be up there this year from June 21 to July 20. Plenty of rides to keep you busy for weeks. Because of the snowfall this year there could be a couple of the high passes stilled snowed in. This will depend on what the snowfall is like from now until then. More snowfalls and cold weather may keep them closed until the end of June. If the weather warms and snow stops then that may not be an issue. You're welcome to call me (520-574-1080) and I'm happy to tell you all about all the trails. We also explore many mines. You really need to go through the museum in Silverton the day after you get there so when you ride you will understand and comprehend the things you see and the area history. You need to take the 100 Mine Tour too while your there.
I would highly recommend that if you have an Ipad or Iphone (not for android devices) that you download Scenic Map app. It has all the trails, routes, mine names and points of interest. It will keep track of all your rides. You can even plan turn by turn trips sitting at home before you even get there.
I believe I'm in space 50 right next to the barn. I have a Blue Rzr 1000 with luggage boxes on top and in a small garage.
I'm from Tucson, AZ. We go to Silverton every year. We'll be up there this year from June 21 to July 20. Plenty of rides to keep you busy for weeks. Because of the snowfall this year there could be a couple of the high passes stilled snowed in. This will depend on what the snowfall is like from now until then. More snowfalls and cold weather may keep them closed until the end of June. If the weather warms and snow stops then that may not be an issue. You're welcome to call me (520-574-1080) and I'm happy to tell you all about all the trails. We also explore many mines. You really need to go through the museum in Silverton the day after you get there so when you ride you will understand and comprehend the things you see and the area history. You need to take the 100 Mine Tour too while your there.
I would highly recommend that if you have an Ipad or Iphone (not for android devices) that you download Scenic Map app. It has all the trails, routes, mine names and points of interest. It will keep track of all your rides. You can even plan turn by turn trips sitting at home before you even get there.
I believe I'm in space 50 right next to the barn. I have a Blue Rzr 1000 with luggage boxes on top and in a small garage.
We are going July 6th but staying in Lake City. I would like to make a trip to Silverton the first day to visit the museum. Just curious for those that are familiar with the area, if we should take the southern leg of the loop to and from Silverton or the Northern leg. As you said, going to th museum first will explain a lot so I would like to see the majority of the mine sites after we go to the museum and not before. The next day I think we will take the other leg both from lake city and back so we can spend as much time at the sites on that leg as possible . Then the 3rd day probably make the entire loop. Not sure if that's really the best idea or not but that's what I am thinking.
I think we will be there from Saturday July 6th (arrive late at night) and leave early Thursday the 11th. So that basically gives us 4 days to ride and do whatever.
It is a pay app, but the best one I have ever used. It is about $9 - $10 one time fee. Updates are all free when they come out. I have the western US since I don't go back to the middle or the east coast of the US. This covers me from the Canadian boarder down into a part of Mexico. From the west coast over to about Texas. Not quite sure about that boundary since I'm not looking at the map. It is all inclusive and has more info than any of the other maps. I can turn on & off features I may want and record every ride. It has 5 different map styles. I can sit in my livingroom and plan ride to places I have never been. I can plan and waypoint a hundred mile ride in about 10-15 minutes turn by turn. I've tried the other map people talk about and dislike them. I can replay any ride and it will tell you what speed you were going, elevation, direction, long/lat and when you stop. You can have your map as detailed or plain as you want. It can be used in 3D or 2D format.
For instance. I just went up to Bluff, UT last week and have never been there. I planned out a weeks worth of rides at home and with one of the features in the menu it popped up the Indigenous lands in orange I wasn't allowed to ride on so you don't get cited.
I have a Ram clamp on mount with the Ipad X-mount and my Ipad sits between me and my passenger. I do keep my Ipad in an Otter Box to protect it from the elements.
Here is a little video I did a while back on a ride we took.
Going that early in the summer you guys may be limited on the trails you can ride. Colorado has received above average snowfall this year so some of the high mountain passes could be blocked. Most generally the local counties bull doze the passes open in prep for 4th of July. I would bet pole creek just east of Stony Pass may be impassible due to high water runoff as well limiting access over to the Rio Grande Reservoir.
We're going to Silverton in July and I'm anticipating seeing a lot of snow up high.
What a beautiful place to ride! Have fun while your out there!
Went riding last weekend at low elevation 8-9K elevation. Still hit snow. Higher up is impossible at this time and more snow is expected this weekend.
Friend who owns property above Alma where we go riding (+10,000 feet) said it is 6-8 feet deep. He won't even try to get up to his property until mid-late July.
The mountains are buried this year at higher elevations. Silverton starts at 9000 feet. We had record snow in the mountains this year and you can really tell by looking.
It could be July before most higher up rides are open.
We stay near Lake City , CO we run the Alpine loop and visit Silverton while we are there we will be there in July this is what the higher elevation are like as of yesterday, these are the bathrooms at Independence Pass
If you have never ridden the Alpine Loop before and plan on going all the way to Silverton and back via the same trail, I would suggest taking the south Cinnamon Pass route. That will put you on the inside of the ledge road which is plenty wide but looks like quite a drop off in places. When you come back you will be on the outside but you will know what to expect and realize it isn't that bad at all.
If you take the north Engineer Pass route it is simple all the way to the top. After you peak out and drop off the back side towards Animas Forks you will be on the outside of the high ledge road for a while but there are switch backs so it changes. Visibility can be interesting when the clouds are on the ground.
Had a trip planned and booked, decided to call the CO Forestry folks for advice. Like everyone stated above, the late snow this year has almost all trails still shut down. He said it will probably be mid July before they even open at lower elevations. As an alternative, I changed plans and went to Moab as it wasn't much further for me. Different, but still cool.
I hooked up with Roger Lee on here a few years back- and yes the Senic Maps app is the way to go- ( Thanks again Roder)
I have it on a ram mount on my I pad Mini 4 with a life proof case- Works flawless.
I took a trip to Silverton/Lake City/ Telluride and stayed in Ouray. We stayed in the area for 10 days last June- and it is a awesome place to take your SXS.
Best part I liked was when you get behind a jeep or the such they are very kind to pull over and give ya room ( when they can) cause we get around pretty fast.
Be aware that no matter how your plated or have the must have Colorado trail sticker
( REQUIRED) You cannot ride your ATV/OHV in Ouray, Ophir, Durango or Telluride. The only towns where you can ride are on designated roads in Silverton and throughout Lake City.
You can call ahead to the Colorado chamber and get information on how to obtain your Colorado sticker and have it nailed so your not taking time to get one- Not sold in very many places....
Actually, last year we went up the last week of August into Sept.
Absolutely Friggin perfect!!!!
September would be very nice as well.
Nice thing is most the kids are back in school and camping areas are more available. Price of gas and campground/lodging prices drop as well after Labor day.
Less crowds. Its my favorite time to go places in CO. All the tourists are gone and the kids are back in school. You have better opportunity to find that sweet camping spot all to your self and fewer people on the trails.
P.S. Its supposed to snow tonight in the Denver metro area. Mountain areas are expecting about 18" or more.
Silverton is still getting snow and Co road 2 is covered with snow. I saw a current YouTube video where they're attempting to clear the road but its a slow go. Conditions aren't looking too favorable for our June 14 trip. We're looking for recommendations if we have to change locations. We don't want to drive 3000 miles only to not be able to ride but a few trails.
Is there any trails in the vicinity of Pagosa Springs and camp ground?
September is by far the best month and time of the year to visit the high country in Colorado. Weather is normally spectacular and stable and after the mid part the Aspen's are turning and are absolutely gorgeous. Of course I love October too, that's when hunting seasons are in full swing.
Take care and ride on
Ed
Just got home from our Silverton trip. Weather was great and the riding was limited, but we had a good time. All the passes are still impassable. We could get to Hurricane and Stoney passes but not beyond. The dozer was working hard to get them cleared and will probably clear those passes by July 4. But nobody knows what's beyond? County road 2 is blocked just short of Animas Forks with a gigantic Avalanche that's probably blocking that road for another month. There's avalanches everywhere! The snow was melting fast in the lower elevations, but at Stoney pass it was snowing the day we made it to the summit. It wasn't snowing enough to add to what was there, but just a sign of the weather and how long it'll take to clear.
Mike maxfield is the dozer operator and he post daily updates Monday-Friday on his FB page. I think his FB page is actually Michael Maxfield. Check it out!
Major development on Trail #2 which goes out of Silverton north towards Animas Forks. The river along the road between Silverton and Eureka (last rv park) breeched the dike along the road and has washed out the road indefinitely at this time. Police have closed the road. They have tried to evacuate everyone north of the breach and their equipment. The evac was only for two hours today. Anyone who didn’t make it is stranded. The bridge just past Eureka is accumulating avalanche debris and causing water to backup and overflow. This may put the Eureka park and surrounding area under water. This is a wait and see major issue.
The river on the east side of Stoney Pass is so bad that people in jeeps have washed away and one person has not been found.
Hiker found dead from previous avalanche.
There are rescues everyday because people try to go places they shouldn’t.
July 4th and I woke up with ice on the windows. 36F last night. Right now there are still many trails closed. Went up north to Eureka RV park. The road is still washed out and closed. They did put a by-Pass in, but what a narrow, one lane, muddy mucky mess. I’d never take my 5th wheel on the detour. There are a few trailers still left in the RV park. Most all the dry camping around town or out on the roads are all taken. Dry campers around town are being charged $50 per night. No hookups.