U.S. Southwest:

Durango & Silverton Railroad

San Juan Mountains

Colorado

August 25 2019

One of our highpoints of the entire trip was an amazing ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The excursion covers 45 miles, as it winds along the Animas River Gorge, deep in the San Juan Mountains. The ride involves a nearly 3,000-foot climb to the former mining town of Silverton, where we spent a couple of hours for lunch and a walk around the historic town.

The historic train has been in continuous operation between the two mountain towns since since 1882. In addition to the spectacular mountain scenery, the ride also provides a look at the industrial history of the region; long since abandoned mining and railroad infrastructure could be seen along the length of the trip.

Durango and Silverton Railroad Route Gallery