Silverton Tour

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

This loop takes you from downtown on a tour of some of the most scenic trails available directly from Silverton. The only way to incorporate more, which would require extra miles, but would really tie everything together, is going around the west and south side of the Silverton Mountain Trail Marathon route and then connecting in to this one. The southern side of that loop is gorgeous.

However, much of this route is on infrequently used trail that often simply disappears under growth or downed trees. Do not count on well-marked and obvious trails here. Use TRP or another GPS tracking tool to follow where you are going.

This route starts at memorial park and heads up Boulder Gulch Trail. I think this trail is the best in the area. It is simply magical, with great views, amazing wild flowers, and complete solitude. However, you've got to work for those things. This section is a beast of a climb.

When you get to the ridge, you are not yet quite through. Instead, you'll need to climb over ledge ahead of you and follow that until you branch off to the right to drop down the South Fork Trail. This trail is increasingly challenging to follow as you go down it. However, you are under no threat of getting lost, just frustrated and confused. The route goes downhill above the creek toward the forestry road in the distance.

Once this road is hit, follow it to the right, downhill, to the main road running along the Animas. Turn right. There is a little campground/RV park not far down the way, with a little store, if you want some snacks or something to drink.

This section is flat and it is great to move quickly because this stretch can have a lot of traffic which kicks up a lot of dust.

Turn left to head up Minnie Gulch. This is a less frequently traveled gulch than Cunningham or Maggie, so though you are on a dirt road, the traffic is not bad. I only saw three ATVs and I did this on a weekend. Also a benefit of going this way is that the road ends and turns into a trail up high (Upper Minnie Gulch Trail).

At the ridge, you'll take a right. The trail isn't marked, but it is obvious and is listed here as the Canby Mountain Trail. It basically runs parallel to the CDT and will take you up above Maggie Gulch. You can also go a bit further to hit the CDT, as it is a cleaner and better maintained trail, and you can reconnect with this route after Canby Mountain.

Either option will take you toward Cunningham Gulch, where you'll descend steeply to the bottom following the Hardrock 100 route. You'll reach the road at the bottom just upstream from the pit toilet. Take a right and use the map as there are no real good indicators of where the trail is on the other side (though you can see it going up the mountain).

In the back of the main parking/camping area you'll cross the river and pick up the trail that will go up towards Little Giant Peak. Follow this steep trail (imagine climbing this 93 miles into a race!) to the ridge. To the left a trail goes to Little Giant Peak. You'll go over the ridge and begin descending toward the right.

The rest of this route follows the Hardrock course back into town. The descent will lead you to a dirt road which will be followed. However, there are interconnecting roads so, again, use the app. At some point you'll have to cross Arastra Creek to connect with a road on the other side.

The road will eventually take you to the HR100 Silverton Route and this will take you back to town, from which you can work your way back to Memorial Park.