really must ride the train. Pick it up in Durango and it rocks you like a babys cradle though some of the beauty only to be seen from the tracks. Ending in Silverton. In Silverton you have roughly a ninty minute break for lunch and shopping. Here is a movie I shot of the train a back in the early 1990's: ![]() One of my favorite lunch or dinner spots is HANDLEBARS. Should you find yourself in Silverton now, they are are not open. Reopen in March. Diner that evening was a huge Rib Eye, baked potato with tall the fixins, and a fine Cab. See you next summer Ken! ![]() Silverton. Located between Ouray and Durango in the heart of the high coumtry.. Elevation is 9,308 feet. Even in the dead of Summer you can get snow, so be sure to bring a coat. At this altitude, even without snow, the nights can get down into the 30's. On this trip I did have snow for a couple of days and it was beautiful. Then the following days it was again in the 60's. Silverton offers up lots of trings to do, of course the trian is a big attraction as is the 4x4 adventures; but there is white water rafting, horseback riding, fishing mountain bikeing and just a wonderful place to camp and enjoy the San Jaun Mountains. One of my favoite camp sites is just a few minuite drive towards Durango on Highway 550 to Molas Lake. If staying here, at the campground, the season starts in May and ends the end of September. I arrived with rain. The following day was beautiful and I was able to drive up to Amimas Forks ghost town. That evening brought snow, not a bunch; but enough to contrast witht he Fall Color. ![]() Before heading out to Amimas Forks Ghost Town; I had a wonderful breakfast at The Brown Bear Cafe. Built in 1893 the building that houses the cafe is built of bricks hauled in by the train the now carries tourists. The building has a lot of history. For instance the bar was originally built for the Silver Queen Bar in Silverton back in 1898. Yours hosts are Fred and Patty and will be glad to tell you the history of the building. More of the train; this time no music bed and you can hear it "breathing", and chugging and all the bells and whistles. In the next post we will drive up to Amimas Forks Ghost Town and revisit the "Million Dollar Highway. I'll take you on a ride I did a few years ago up Ophir Pass on my motorcycle.
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AuthorKarl Johnson Archives
June 2023
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