San Juan County: Winter Sports and Mining History

Silverton Mountain provides access via a single chairlift to 1,819 acres of high-alpine terrain with runs in all directions. Guided skiing and snowboarding are offered there. In spring, unguided skiing is also available for holders of day and season passes. The type of visit therefore differs significantly depending on the season and pass.

Key facts on the subject

- The Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour is a guided underground mine tour that goes 1/3 mile deep into 13,000-foot-high Galena Mountain. - The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad connects Durango in La Plata County and Silverton in San Juan County along a 45-mile route. - The Silverton Historic District has been a National Historic Landmark since July 4, 1961. - The Alpine Loop begins from Silverton via County Road 2. - At Molas Lake Park, non-motorized boating launched from the shore and paddling are possible; rentals are available on site. - The Shenandoah-Dives Mill, also known as the Mayflower Mill, is a National Historic Landmark.

Winter sports and alternative experiences

The Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour is not designed for self-guided exploration, but as a guided tour underground. The experience includes a ride on a historic electric-powered mine train in an authentic mining car. This car was once used in the famous Camp Bird Gold Mine. Visitors can also pan for real silver, copper, and gold and keep what they find. For groups with different interests, this offering therefore provides a clear contrast to alpine winter sports without requiring a second winter sports activity to be assumed. The railroad also has its own focus. The tracks to Silverton were completed by July 1882; the train subsequently began carrying passengers and freight. The 45-mile route between Durango and Silverton is therefore both a historic transportation route and a destination in its own right. Anyone wishing to include the Alpine Loop starts from Silverton via County Road 2. These details do not specify a particular travel time or current timetable.

Mining history in Silverton

Several historic attractions are located in Silverton. The San Juan County Historical Society operates the Mining Heritage Center there. The 1902 San Juan County Jail was built in 1902 and is a two-story, fireproof and escape-proof brick jail; today it is part of the museum complex. Each of the four steel cells contained up to six canvas hammocks. North of Silverton, Hillside Cemetery is located on the steep lower slope of Boulder Mountain. The cemetery covers 20 acres. The Shenandoah-Dives Mill, also known as the Mayflower Mill, was the longest-operating mill in the history of the San Juan Mountains. During the summer months, the Mayflower Mill offered self-guided tours. For those searching for accommodation in San Juan County, this results in various areas of focus: alpine activities, mining history, railroads, or waterfront offerings. The stated facts do not allow any specific proximity of individual accommodations to a lift, museum, or lake to be inferred. For context about the place, you may also consider Silverton. Several of the historic offerings described are located there, including the Historic District, the Mining Heritage Center, and the former jail.

For the overarching travel overview: Colorado.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Gunnison County, Jefferson, Routt, San Miguel, Pitkin, Summit, Grand.