Trip #10: Silverton, CO

September 19 - 20, 2008

SOUTH MINERAL CREEK CAMPGROUND, Silverton, CO

Camp Elev: 9,800’  Hi: 58  Low: 33

Camp Host Stellar's Jay

Finally got the time to squeeze in a short trip. Fall leaves have started, and it's 58 degrees and sunny in Silverton--at first. Spot #14. Campground closed for the season (which means no water or restrooms available) so just a couple other campers there. After setting up camp, we took a short hike up to some pretty falls. The next day, waking to 33° in the am (yes, the trailer has heat and a/c), we attempted Ice Lake Trail (“…a strenuous 4.5 mile climb to a lake surrounded by thirteeners.” “…a deceptively challenging walk engineered with shallow switchbacks to minimize steepness…”). Just what people fresh from Florida should do when they first arrive in Colorado! 1600’ elevation gain reaching about 12,000 feet, so I only made the lower lake, gasping as though it were Everest. Bill didn't get much further but he fares better than me at altitude. Beautiful weather turned to rain and light hail on the hike down. Exactly why you have to remember to pack for all seasons even for a short hike. Did about 6 miles. Cleaned up and went to poke around in Silverton when it continued to drizzle. Our last morning was 38, with 57 inside. Headed home after breakfasting in Silverton.

Area History: The Silverton district opened legally to miners in 1874, following the Brunot Treaty with the Utes. An estimated 2000 men moved into the region that year. They came from across the U.S., many parts of Europe and even China, to endure severe winters and dangerous mining conditions in their pursuit of the minerals they hoped would make them rich. Not all who settled were miners. By 1875 the 100 “sturdy souls” who lived in Silverton proper worked in the post office, sawmills, blacksmith shop, mercantile, newspaper, liquor stores, smelters, or assay office. The town's population grew to 500 by 1876. Life was not easy for any of them. Statistics from Silverton's cemetery note causes of death in early Silverton as 117 from snowslides, 143 from miner's consumption, 161 from pneumonia, 138 from influenza (most in the 1918 epidemic) and 202 from mine accidents.

Campground back in there on the lower road.

The view out the door (this will now be a regular feature of this blog)

Top o' the falls

That's the campground waaaaay down there along the river.

Old mining remnants from who knows when, maybe late 1800s?

More mining hardware history left to rust at 11,000.

Finally, the lower lake. I wouldn't make it up without oxygen to see the second one. My Everest.

Downhill at last! I can take the lead then. Check out the slant, I'm getting dizzy looking at this.

And then the weather started moving in.

And when the weather moves in, the tough go to town. Here the dog enjoys Silverton before heading back.

There's a sucker born every minute: Got a gold pan in town. No luck, but fun trying. That was some cold water.

Time to go home. This shot taken on Molas Pass, elevation 10,910, on the way back.