Today's Activities: Today, Bill Strong, owner of Silverton Specialties, joined Mark, Miles and Jerry. Bill's company produces the finest narrow gauge railroad belt buckles on the market. Check them out at www. rrbuckles.com. Bill is recognized as the leading authority on Silverton Railway passes, and is the author of "The Remarkable Railroad Passes of Otto Mears." Meeting Bill at the South Mineral Creek Campground, we drove through Silverton and took two of our favorite side trips off the road to Animas Forks. Once again, we encountered very little traffic. A group of five 4wd vehicles and a few folks on ATV's were all we saw today. At the end of the day, Miles and Jerry had the pleasure of driving down the Uncompahgre Gorge on US 550 through one of the most severe thunderstorms we've ever seen in the San Juans. The water coming off the mountain onto the roadway was awesome. Little did we know what we were ahead of. Mark had stayed behind in Silverton to spend some additional time with Bill and his wife, so he followed down about an hour behind us. He actually arrived in Ouray 2 hours later, because the rainfall had caused slides to block 550 in 4 separate spots. Miles and Jerry agreed getting down the road before the mountain came down on them a real good way to end the day.

Trip Length: 2 ½ hours from Silverton.

Difficulty Rating: 2, increasing to 3 in areas with rock falls.

Trail Condition: The recent rains have brought down loose rocks on the trail in a number of areas. These do not present a hazard to anyone exercising caution. Don't exercise caution and you may have the opportunity to inspect Minnie Creek up close and personal.

Sites along the trail: The remains of the Caledonia Mill, mill boarding house and another collapsed structure are the first structures you encounter. Moving up the road, a number of tram towers can be seen. At the fork in the road, the right hand trail leads to the workings of the Esmeralda mine. The left hand route up leads to the Caledonia and Kittimac Mines. After the switchbacks, you will come to the Kittimac mine boarding house and a stable. The boarding house is leaning severely, and has been propped up to prevent its collapse. Funds are being raised to dismantle this building and reassemble it at the Silverton Museum. At the end of the road is the Kittimac Mine. The structure to the left is the tram house, while the ruins to the right are possibly another boarding house.

Columbine found in Minnie Gulch (75k)

View to the head of Minnie Gulch near the Esmerelda Mine (75k)

Remains of the Caladonia Mill in Minnie Gulch (75k)

View towards Silverton from Minnie Gulch (75k)