Silverton to Animas Forks
07-12-2009, 11:48 PM
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Silverton to Animas Forks
On Saturday morning Amanda and I headed down to Silverton. After setting up camp we made our way down the road that leads from Silverton to Animas Forks that we have traveled many times before. In the past we have explored a bunch of the side trails off of this road (Cunningham Gulch, Eureka Gulch, Picayune Gulch & Placer Gulch), however there were a few that either I have not checked out before, or that were blocked by snow when I attempted them. Our goal for this day was to check out the rest of those trails.
We started off in Arrastra Gulch. This was a quick one, as it appears that the trail now dead ends at private property pretty quickly.
Look up for the tram at the start of Arrastra Gulch
There still are some nice views from this short trail
Before heading back out to the Animas Forks Road, we took the trail up to Little Giant Basin.
Headed up to Little Giant Basin
Tram tower
Sealed up King Solomon Mine portal
Big Giant Mill
We started off in Arrastra Gulch. This was a quick one, as it appears that the trail now dead ends at private property pretty quickly.
Look up for the tram at the start of Arrastra Gulch
There still are some nice views from this short trail
Before heading back out to the Animas Forks Road, we took the trail up to Little Giant Basin.
Headed up to Little Giant Basin
Tram tower
Sealed up King Solomon Mine portal
Big Giant Mill
07-12-2009, 11:48 PM
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Gold Lake at the end of the trail
On our way back down, we stopped to check out the Black Prince mining camp.
After making it back down, we headed over to our next destination: Maggie Gulch.
Headed up into Maggie Gulch
Looking back
Some ruins at the end of the trail
On our way back down, we stopped to check out the Black Prince mining camp.
After making it back down, we headed over to our next destination: Maggie Gulch.
Headed up into Maggie Gulch
Looking back
Some ruins at the end of the trail
07-12-2009, 11:48 PM
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Stopped by this waterfall on the way back down
Our next destination was the next gulch north; Minnie Gulch. Amanda drove my Jeep on this one, so I could relax.
Caledonia Mine boarding house
Cabins along the trail
Further up Minnie Gulch
Waterfall along the trail
Two-track at the end of the Minnie Gulch trail
Our next destination was the next gulch north; Minnie Gulch. Amanda drove my Jeep on this one, so I could relax.
Caledonia Mine boarding house
Cabins along the trail
Further up Minnie Gulch
Waterfall along the trail
Two-track at the end of the Minnie Gulch trail
07-12-2009, 11:48 PM
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Burns Gulch was our last side trip before reaching Animas Forks.
The trail up to Burns Gulch
Burns Gulch
The trail passed a few mine shafts
End of the road
Animas Forks off in the distance
Lots of flowing water in this gulch
Headed back down
The trail up to Burns Gulch
Burns Gulch
The trail passed a few mine shafts
End of the road
Animas Forks off in the distance
Lots of flowing water in this gulch
Headed back down
07-12-2009, 11:49 PM
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Before heading back towards Silverton to finish the last trail along the Animas Forks Road we hadn't been on, we stopped at Animas Forks again to take some more photos. Here's a few...
07-12-2009, 11:49 PM
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Before heading back to Silverton, we had one more trail to explore. This one was right outside Silverton and headed up Swansea Gulch. It turns out the most interesting parts of this trail were right at the beginning, but it was still a nice steep drive to the sudden end of the trail.
Much of the trail looked like this. It was steep much of the way and never got above tree line, so there were no good views down onto Silverton.
The one open spot near the end of the trail
Lackawanna Mill with Silverton in the background
Animas River
After having dinner at Romero's we still had a little daylight left, so we headed up to Clear Lake.
Much of the trail looked like this. It was steep much of the way and never got above tree line, so there were no good views down onto Silverton.
The one open spot near the end of the trail
Lackawanna Mill with Silverton in the background
Animas River
After having dinner at Romero's we still had a little daylight left, so we headed up to Clear Lake.
07-12-2009, 11:49 PM
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07-15-2009, 02:08 PM
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I love that area. I wish I could have spent more time on the trails up there. Maybe when I am back in Durango helping my father move back to hell....er Oklahoma (has been 105* here the past couple of days) I can convince him to take his Chevy pickup up there, since they aren't really hard but more scenic.
I know he wouldnt take the truck down Black Bear though... which is the trail we ran when I was up there last in his CJ7. We also ran Ophir Pass to get back to the highway.
I know he wouldnt take the truck down Black Bear though... which is the trail we ran when I was up there last in his CJ7. We also ran Ophir Pass to get back to the highway.
08-09-2009, 03:27 PM
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Some people have told me it's pretty tough, others say it's a cakewalk for even a stock XJ.
Anyone got info or experience as to how bad it REALLLLY is?
Been thinkin maybe do it with the dirtbike first, then the XJ if it's not that bad.
(the xj has the "upcountry" package with factory ls rear and 30" AT's)
I'd hate to get 1/2 way down and end up stuck!
Great pics by the way OP!
08-09-2009, 06:46 PM
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Black Bear would be fine for a stock XJ. It's not a difficult trail.....it's just a steep and narrow trail with little room for error. There are not really any obstacles on the trail....just some tight/steep switchbacks at the top.
Some photos from my trip last year: http://www.myxj.net/blog/476
Some photos from my trip last year: http://www.myxj.net/blog/476
Not meaning to hijack, but ive been thinking about doing Black bear pass.
Some people have told me it's pretty tough, others say it's a cakewalk for even a stock XJ.
Anyone got info or experience as to how bad it REALLLLY is?
Been thinkin maybe do it with the dirtbike first, then the XJ if it's not that bad.
(the xj has the "upcountry" package with factory ls rear and 30" AT's)
I'd hate to get 1/2 way down and end up stuck!
Great pics by the way OP!
Some people have told me it's pretty tough, others say it's a cakewalk for even a stock XJ.
Anyone got info or experience as to how bad it REALLLLY is?
Been thinkin maybe do it with the dirtbike first, then the XJ if it's not that bad.
(the xj has the "upcountry" package with factory ls rear and 30" AT's)
I'd hate to get 1/2 way down and end up stuck!
Great pics by the way OP!