Silverton to Animas Forks-Alpine Loop

The Alpine Loop is 65 miles of scenic and historic old mining routes in the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. One of the access points is to follow County Road 2 north out of Silverton, CO. Two wheel drive vehicles can make it about 12 miles to the Animas Forks Ghost Town, but beyond 4WD is necessary.

There are several points of interest along the way. Not very far out of Silverton are the Mayflower Mill and Arrastra Gulch. Mining activity began here in 1870 with the discovery of gold and the formation of the Little Giant Mining Company. Activity continued here until 1991.

Many mining innovations occurred in this area, including the use of metal towers for trams like those visible here. These trams allowed work to continue year round. This was also the area that developed the concept and use of tailing ponds rather than dumping the waste material into the rivers.
 

Howardsville is about 4 miles north along the Alpine Loop. Founded in 1874, Howardsville was the first attempted settlement on the west slope of the Colorado Territory. The arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway in Silverton in 1882 diminished Howardsville importance, but for a while it was the county Seat for all of southwest Colorado.

About 4 miles further is Eureka. There are large concrete remains of the Sunnyside Mill, but I didn’t see any interpretive information on this site. This is a ghost town that has mostly disappeared. At Eureka there is a campground and it is a staging area for ATV riders.

The road continuing north from Eureka to Animas Forks becomes narrower, steeper, and bumpier but is still drivable for most vehicles. The road follows the railroad grade that reached Animas Forks is 1904 to service the Gold Prince Mill.

There are some remnants of mining activity along the road. There are many side roads and trails in this area besides the main Alpine Loop route. Most of the visitors in this area that I saw are 4WD and ATV riders, but there are many opportunities here for hikers. Up ahead are the Animas Forks Ghost Town and the options for 4WD or hiking continuing on the Engineer Pass Road, the Cinnamon Pass Road or the California Gulch Loop Road.