Today's Activities: Today we spent some more time in the Silverton / Animas Forks area by travelling up Little Giant Basin and running the Picayune / Placer Gulch Loop. Once again the monsoon rains cut down on our photo opportunities. But the day was not without some excitement. We got to fix a coolant leak on the F-250 at 12,000 feet. A lesson for us all. Mr. Goodwrench, or whoever your mechanic is, won't make a house call in Picayune Gulch. And there's no cell phone service in the high mountains. Be prepared.

Trip Length: 3 ½ hours from Silverton

Difficulty Rating: 2 to 3

Trail Condition: The Picayune Gulch section is steep, particularly on the lower sections. Once again, the rocks are out due to the recent rains. Picayune Gulch itself can be driven as a loop. Our run today took us over the top into Placer Gulch above Animas Forks. Just stay to the right at the two forks, and you'll follow our path. Note: the old Placer Gulch Road, which passed the Sound Democrat Mill, is now for access to the mill only. Go to the left of the Gold Prince boarding house foundation to proceed onto the new road down.

Sites along the trail: The Treasure Mountain Gold Mining Company operation is the main sight in Picayune Gulch. The boarding house, mill, and a number of auxiliary buildings are all on the site. The adit, which opens up under the road between the boarding house, and mill is called the Santiago Tunnel. After entering Place Gulch, the workings of the Gold Prince Mine, boarding house and numerous tram towers can be seen. A brief side trip to the Sound Democrat Mill is worth the time, although now you have to walk across the creek rather than driving across. The wildflowers in Placer are terrific. Near the bottom of the road, the Gold Prince Tramway angle station can be seen across the gulch.

Remains at the site of the Treasure Mountain Mine (75k)

The Treasure Mountain Mine (75k)

The Treasure Mountain Mine (75k)

Mark telling everyone not to worry about a little leaking coolant (75k)

Mark fixing a BIG coolant leak and eating his words (75k)

The view down Placer (Mastodon) Gulch (75k)

The view down Placer (Mastodon) Gulch (75k)

The standard tourist shot of Animas Forks (75k)

The view looking towards Ouray at the end of another fantastic day - near Ironton Park on US 550 (75k)