2022-12-03 09:47:40
Pursue untamed wilderness, mining history and iconic outdoor activities in South Fork, Creede and Lake City. A cruise on the electric-vehicle-friendly Silver Thread byway is a must. The 117-mile route connects welcoming towns that embrace their Western roots (and offer plenty of access to outdoor adventure), ending at beautiful Blue Mesa Reservoir west of Gunnison. Start in South Fork, where showstopping views await. Drop a line in the Rio Grande’s 20 miles of Gold Medal waters for primo trout fishing or rent an e-bike before enjoying an elk burger or chocolate shake at South Fork Malt Shoppe. With rugged peaks, alpine lakes and dense woodlands, Weminuche Wilderness also draws adventure-seekers. Creede boasts a small-town ambiance and remnants of a silver-boomtown past, including Last Chance Mine. At the Creede Historical Museum and Underground Mining Museum, peek into the lives of the miners and entrepreneurs who shaped the town. Many natural marvels lie between Creede and Lake City, including majestic North Clear Creek Falls and sapphire-blue Lake San Cristobal. Another special spot west of Lake City is American Basin: a high-alpine backcountry awash in late summer wildflowers. Lake City lays claim to an impressive collection of 1870s buildings, several nearby ghost towns (like Carson, Animas Forks and Capitol City) and panoramas of the San Juan Mountains. For anglers, campers or hikers, it’s prime headquarters for fresh-air exploits. You can also pick up a ghost tour at the Hinsdale County Museum and see a show at the old-timey Mountaineer Theatre. Winter Fun Lake City has 100-plus miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and fat biking, not to mention a stellar ice park and local ski hill. South Fork has an outdoor ice rink and local clubs organizing weekly snowmobiling and snowshoeing outings. And Creede’s wilderness is ideal for snowmobile tours.
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