For this years Ghost Town Run, we headed down to Silverton, CO. It’s been some time since I’ve been down this way. Think the last club run was when Bruce Miller was leading the Ouray Run back in 2004. I was really excited to get back down to Silverton for this years Ghost Town Run.

Sadly, as I was leaving town for the run on Wednesday, the 4runner started acting funny. By the time I got to Dumont, I decided to turn around. I was able to get the 4runner in that weekend with ATLR. Jessie went for a test drive with me and determined we had a misfire some where. There still working on the 4runner.

Once back in town, I set about booking a rental through work. With that secured, I headed out Friday. Those mountains!

Making it to camp, I settled in with the gang. Felt good to be out with the club. Saturday we left camp early and headed out to check out the Buffalo Boy Mine. We spent some time there, checking out the old tramway house and taking in the views. I followed the tramway cables to a ridgeline a short distance from the main building. Some great views! After the Buffalo Boy Mine, we headed back down the trail. We took a break from the rigs and got a tour of the Old Hundred mine. A really cool tour, they even operated some of the machinery. To end the day, we checked out the trail above camp, climbing high into a great basin filled with waterfalls and tons of old tramways. A few climbed up the last section of narrow ledge road to check out the Mayflower mine. Back at camp, a few of us headed in to Silverton for Dinner. Grabbing pizza and a few beers at the Golden Block Brewery. After checking out the train depot, we headed back to camp, settling in around the campfire.

It was great getting back down to Silverton. Hopefully it won’t be another 20 years for my next visit:).

Overlooking Ouray Colorado.

Fine views of Red Mountains from 550.

Checking out the Treasury Tunnel

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Two weeks ago I was able to join my club for our annual clean up day on Argentine Pass, one of three trails the club has adopted. I missed getting up last summer, so it felt great getting back up to Argentine Pass, one of my favorite trails. After a short meeting with the forest rangers from Clear Creek, we headed out on the trail. With the big turn out we had, we split into a few groups to help minimize trail traffic and cover ground. I hopped in with friend Mike from the club who was leading a group on the lower road. The lower road was an old wagon route that went up to Waldorf and Argentine Pass. We regrouped at the old town site of Waldorf for lunch and spent some time enjoying a fantastic summer day. After lunch, and getting off the trail, I headed over to the cabin. One of the more perfect summer evenings I’ve had up there. A stop at my favorite tree and some time in the Upper Meadows. The next morning I woke up at 2am and drove down to work.

All in all, I was really happy to see how good Argentine Pass looked. Barely any trash and no unattended campfires.

Thanks to work for paying me a volunteer day:)!

Group meeting with the forest service before we head out on the trail.

Making our way up Argentine Pass. Felt good to be out on the trail!

I hoped in with friend Mike from the club. He was leading a group on the lower road, also known as the old wagon road. The road crosses Leavenworth creek few times before climbing out of timberline.

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