Jesse & Ellie's Ultimate San Juan Guidebook

Jesse
Jesse & Ellie's Ultimate San Juan Guidebook

City/town information

In Town (Durango) Hikes Overend Mountain Park (locals call it Test Tracks cause Yeti tests their bikes here) - mostly for mountain bikers but open to hikers. Hike up Hogsback Peak for a short, treacherous, and great view. Access via Leyden St. in Durango. There’s a paved trail called Animas River Trail that takes you all over town. Fun to ride a bike on.
35 polecane przez mieszkańców
Durango
35 polecane przez mieszkańców
In Town (Durango) Hikes Overend Mountain Park (locals call it Test Tracks cause Yeti tests their bikes here) - mostly for mountain bikers but open to hikers. Hike up Hogsback Peak for a short, treacherous, and great view. Access via Leyden St. in Durango. There’s a paved trail called Animas River Trail that takes you all over town. Fun to ride a bike on.
Eating in Silverton: Avalanche is my favorite, good pizza and beer. Golden Block Brewing is also awesome. Rent a Jeep or 4x4 vehicle in Silverton and take the Alpine Loop to Lake City, CO and back (day trip, pack a lunch and snacks) We also love driving a portion of the “Alpine Loop” behind Silverton, CO (just keep taking the road into the mountains) as it does not require 4x4 until you run into the sign where it becomes very obvious you need 4x4 and plenty of acres to turn around, lots of cool abandoned mines and gorgeous views. Sometimes we just park and walk around. Winter: Skiing at Silverton Mountain (One lift big mountain expert skiing) or Guided backcountry skiing in Silverton Scenic Drive Through Silverton to Ouray. Stunning mountain views and can get lunch at Maggie's in Ouray, Soak at Orvis Hot Springs or Wiesbaden Hot Spring and Vapor Cave.
77 polecane przez mieszkańców
Silverton
77 polecane przez mieszkańców
Eating in Silverton: Avalanche is my favorite, good pizza and beer. Golden Block Brewing is also awesome. Rent a Jeep or 4x4 vehicle in Silverton and take the Alpine Loop to Lake City, CO and back (day trip, pack a lunch and snacks) We also love driving a portion of the “Alpine Loop” behind Silverton, CO (just keep taking the road into the mountains) as it does not require 4x4 until you run into the sign where it becomes very obvious you need 4x4 and plenty of acres to turn around, lots of cool abandoned mines and gorgeous views. Sometimes we just park and walk around. Winter: Skiing at Silverton Mountain (One lift big mountain expert skiing) or Guided backcountry skiing in Silverton Scenic Drive Through Silverton to Ouray. Stunning mountain views and can get lunch at Maggie's in Ouray, Soak at Orvis Hot Springs or Wiesbaden Hot Spring and Vapor Cave.

Food scene

Indoor/Outdoor seating with mountain views. Try the Filet Mignon slider.
22 polecane przez mieszkańców
The Nugget Mountain Bar
48721 North Highway 550
22 polecane przez mieszkańców
Indoor/Outdoor seating with mountain views. Try the Filet Mignon slider.
Within walking distance of Hillside Hideaway condo. Upscale, American food. Expensive.
22 polecane przez mieszkańców
Sow's Ear
48475 US-550
22 polecane przez mieszkańców
Within walking distance of Hillside Hideaway condo. Upscale, American food. Expensive.
Farm-to-table beef, barn animals on property.
35 polecane przez mieszkańców
James Ranch Grill
33846 US Hwy 550
35 polecane przez mieszkańców
Farm-to-table beef, barn animals on property.
No tourists, local hangout. Great for grabbing a cup of coffee and hitting some keys on the piano.
Smiley Cafe
1309 E 3rd Ave
No tourists, local hangout. Great for grabbing a cup of coffee and hitting some keys on the piano.

Porady dla podróżnych

Nie przegap

Overnight Backpacking Trips

• Chicago Basin: https://sjma.org/chicago-basin-trip-planning/ • Highland Mary: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7030068/highland-mary-lakes-loop
Przydatne zwroty

Purgatory

is just called "Purg" here :)
Przydatne zwroty

North of Durango

Where you are staying during your trip, is called "North County". The gas station is called "Needles" (after the Needles Mountain Range).
Jak zaoszczędzić

Buy groceries in town

Buy your groceries in Durango (City Market or Albertsons) before heading north.
Poruszanie się po okolicy

No public transportation

Please reserve a rental car for your vacation.
Nie przegap

Day Hiking

• Columbine Lake (located just north of Silverton, and the road gets a little sketchy for the last . 2 miles) • Engineer Mountain (gets busy on weekends, and if you can summit it, props from us) Half-Day Trips • Castle Rock (just by the Needles gas station 2 miles south of condo) • Purgatory Flats (just across the highway from Purgatory by Twilight Lake) - you’re hiking DOWN into this trail, then back up. In Town (Durango) Hikes Overend Mountain Park (locals call it Test Tracks cause Yeti tests their bikes here) - mostly for mountain bikers but open to hikers.
Nie przegap

Scenic Drive/Day Trip Idea

Drive to Ouray (2.5 hours one way if taking time) Coffee Bear in Silverton is a fun place to stop with a great balcony to view mountains. Red Mountain has spectacular views. You’ll know it when you see it :). Fall colors are spectacular on this drive, so worth it. Hike Box Canyon Falls If you want to check out Telluride, let me know and I’ll make some recommendations. It’s sort of a long drive there, so you may consider overnighting (3.5 hours there or so)
Nie przegap

Other Trip Ideas

• Mesa Verde National Park • Black Canyon of the Gunnison • Honeyville: a bit touristy, but fun to visit and pick up some honey. • Rent bikes from 2nd Ave and do some trail riding or easy riding on the Animas River Trail • We love driving “behind” Purgatory. There’s a little hut on the northeast end, just past the main parking lot, and a road that takes you back behind Purgatory. It’s fun to drive and explore as the road doesn’t require 4X4 for at least 10 miles. Mushroom hunting is a must after a good rain.
Nie przegap

Quick Nearby Hikes

• Cascade Falls • Spud Lake Hike (required 4x4 or really great and lifted 2WD vehicle to access) • Lime Creek Waterfall • Hike up any trails or catwalks at Purgatory Ski Resort