4x4 tour
Season: Summer to early autumnSan Juan Mountains jeep tour
- High passes on the Alpine Loop
- Ghost towns and old mines
Three days is just right for a first visit to Creede. You have time for the town and its history, a drive over the Continental Divide and a day in the backcountry, with an evening or two at the theatre.
The route at a glance
- Day 1: the Underground Mining Museum, the Bachelor Loop and a play
- Day 2: the Silver Thread to North Clear Creek Falls and Lake City
- Day 3: the Wheeler Geologic Area, or a day on the river
Day 1: silver-town Creede
Start at the Underground Mining Museum, blasted into the cliffs at the north end of town, to learn how the silver came out of the mountain. Then drive the Bachelor Loop, which climbs from the top of Main Street past cliffside mines to the site of the vanished town of Bachelor.
Spend the late afternoon on Main Street, have an early dinner and see a play at the Creede Repertory Theatre.
Day 2: the Silver Thread to Lake City
Head west on Highway 149, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, with the great cliff of Bristol Head above the valley. Stop at North Clear Creek Falls, a few minutes off the highway.
Cross Spring Creek Pass on the Continental Divide, look down on the Slumgullion Earthflow from the overlooks, and drop to Lake City and Lake San Cristobal for lunch. If you have booked a jeep tour, this is the place for it. Drive back to Creede for the evening show, or stay the night in Lake City.
Day 3: the backcountry
Fit hikers can set off early for the Wheeler Geologic Area, about 7 miles each way from Hanson’s Mill on a high trail. If that sounds like too much, spend the day on the Rio Grande instead, with a fishing guide or simply a picnic by the river, and drive out to the Rio Grande Reservoir at the end of the road.
With more time
- Take a day trip to the Great Sand Dunes, about two hours east.
- Drive over Wolf Creek Pass to soak in the hot springs of Pagosa Springs.
- Continue to Durango to ride the Durango & Silverton steam train.
Tips
- Book theatre tickets and your room as soon as you know your dates.
- Plan hikes and drives over the passes for the morning, before the afternoon storms.
- Fill up with fuel in Creede: there is almost none between Creede and Lake City.
- Take your first day gently while you get used to the altitude.
