Ruins at Gladstone, Colorado

On the next few pages, I'm going to describe the best off-road adventure of the Rocky Roads trip, but you'll have to bear with me. Since the route winds along mostly unmarked mountain roads, it's hard to figure out exactly where I was. If you're familiar with these back roads, feel free to email me with any corrections.


	I've recently updated and changed this page. At first, I thought I had found the Sunnyside Mine at Eureka. Now, I'm convinced that I actually went the wrong way on CO Rte. 110 out of Silverton, and instead ended up at Gladstone.

My goal was to find the ghost town of Animas Forks, which is about 12 miles outside of Silverton on CO Rte. 110, a wide, well maintained dirt road. Instead, I think I took Rte. 110 the wrong way, and headed towards Gladstone, Colorado. The key to heading to Animas Forks, I've learned (after staring at one map after another of this area) is to turn right on 18th Street, then left on Blair Street, and drive past the San Juan Hillside Cemetery, just above Silverton. If you don't pass the cemetery, you're headed the wrong way on Rte. 110.

But this time, I was definitely headed the wrong way. That's OK, it all worked out for the best.

As you head up Rte. 110, you'll pass a small ski area that also offers scenic summertime rides on the lifts. After a few miles speed by (it's easy to average 50mph on this road, even though it's dirt), you'll come to the ghost town of Gladstone.

sunnyside mine, eureka, near silverton colorado

The foundation of the old building climbs the canyon wall. You'll also find a few old ore-hauling rail cars scattered around the area.

sunnyside mine, eureka, near silverton colorado

Climbing inside the old ruins would be dangerous and difficult. I merely peeked inside.

Around this area you'll also find a few plaques explaining the history of the mine.

Near the mining ruins, you'll find a small 4wd only road that turns off to the left. The sign promises three mountain passes: Corkscrew, Hurricane, and California. That sounded more tempting than the road to Animas Forks, so I took the turn-off.

Special Feature: Read More About My Trip Over Silverton's 4wd Roads

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