Silverton 60K Ultramarathon

We headed to Silverton, Colorado to run in a 60K Ultramarathon. Silverton is a very remote mountain town at 9300 feet in the San Juan Mountains. Although the population is only about 700 people, it hosts many ultramarathons each year because of the amazing high-mountain trails surrounding it.

Silverton has some unique houses including this 1883 Victorian home that is called Home the Russian Princess. You can rent this for $246 a night on Airbnb.

An ultramarathon is not possible without hundreds of volunteers to manage the aid stations. This is our group of volunteers from the Boulder Trail Runners.

The start of the race follows about 5 miles of railroad bed along the Animas river before heading onto the Colorado Trail.

Staci climbing the final hill leading to the Molas Pass aid station.

Part of the race follows the spectacular Colorado Trail.

Rich & Staci still smiling at the first aid station.

The flowers were stunning along much of the course.

Jed and Staci approaching the first summit on the Putnam Basin climb.

Rich running across Putnam Basin.

After the final 2000 foot climb over Putnam Basin we head down along Bear Creek back to Silverton.

We left Silverton to visit our friends Carol and Mike who own 40 acres outside of Ridgeway. They have spectacular views of the San Juans and a lot of wildlife on their land.

We continued to Lake City which is near trails leading to several 14,000 foot mountains. Lake city is another very remote mining town in the San Juan Mountains. Although it is only 30 miles from Silverton, it takes almost four hours to drive between the towns because of the mountains that separate them.

Our plan was to hike two 14ers, Redcloud and Sunshine.

Heading up from the Silver Creed Trailhead.

The trail to Redcloud as it ascends higher.

Heading toward the Redcloud summit.

Following the ridge from Redcloud to Sunshine.