2017-12-14 06:10:24
Opportunities to survey untamed wilderness, uncover mining history and pursue some of the state’s most iconic outdoor activities — including hiking, rafting and fly-fishing — make a cruise along the Silver Thread Byway a must. The 117-mile route connects these welcoming towns that continue to embrace their Western roots, and ends at beautiful Blue Mesa Reservoir west of Gunnison. Start your journey in South Fork, where show-stopping views and outdoor fun abound. Drop a line in the Rio Grande River, which boasts 20 miles of Gold Medal waters for primo trout fishing; hook up with an ATV outfitter to see backcountry sites; or hike a portion of the Continental Divide Trail, a 3,100-mile trek between Canada and Mexico. Packed with rugged peaks, translucent alpine lakes and wild woodlands, Weminuche Wilderness (2) also draws adventure-seekers. A late 19th-century silver boomtown, Creede boasts a small-town ambiance and many reminders of its rich past. Stop at the Creede Historical Museum and Underground Mining Museum for a peek into the lives of miners and entrepreneurs who shaped the town’s history, and wander to Main Street, where businesses are housed in lovely 1890s storefronts. Just outside of Creede, Wheeler Geologic Area’s (1) otherworldly rock spires await experienced off-roaders. Many natural marvels lie between Creede and Lake City, including majestic North Clear Creek Falls and sapphire-blue Lake San Cristobal (3), which was formed when the Slumgullion Earth Flow naturally dammed the valley just 800 years ago. Trees growing at off-angles are evidence that the peculiar landslide shifting up to 20 feet per year is still at work. Lake City is known for its impressive collection of 1870s buildings, several nearby ghost towns (including Animas Forks, Carson and Capitol City) and inspiring panoramas of San Juan Mountains. For a fisher, camper or hiker, the city is an ideal headquarters for all kinds of fresh-air exploits. Pick up a ghost tour at the Hinsdale County Museum and see a show at the old-timey Mountaineer Theatre. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Creede, Del Norte, Lake City (page 199), South Fork (page 204) QUICK TIP Quintessential mountain living: You don’t even have to leave town to get on a trail in Lake City! Families love strolling creek- and riverside, where encounters with deer and smaller mountain critters happen frequently.
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