Lake City, Colorado

 

Continuing on our drive on The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway--see my previous posts, here and here. We stopped for the night in Lake City, located in Hinsdale County, Colorado, which is the most remote county in the lower 48 states of the USA!  Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountain Range and the Gunnison and Uncompahgre National Forest, just minutes from the spectacular San Cristobal Lake, Lake City is surrounded by 96% public land.  Incorporated in 1875 the town began as a gold and silver mining town.

Activities in Lake City today include hiking, camping, rafting and boating, hunting, fly and ice fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking over the many spectacular mountain trails.  In winter, activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, ice skating, and skiing on the town's very own ski hill.

Due to its high elevation at 8,661 feet (2,640 m) and its proximity to some of Colorado’s most rugged and beautiful wilderness, Lake City is a great base for exploring with 4×4 vehicles or OHVs-- off-highway vehicles--on the abundance of trails and roads around Lake City. The most popular adventure for off-road vehicles is the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. This sixty-five-mile road is generally only passable from June through September of each year. The Alpine Loop Scenic Byway connects the towns of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City, and the route even features a few authentic ghost towns including Animas Forks. The road navigates two mountain passes that sits 12,000 feet above sea level: Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass. Both passes provide unforgettable views of some of Colorado’s famous 14ers including Uncompahgre Peak, Handies Peak, and Sunshine Peak.  

I enjoyed seeing some of the town's rustic cabin homes--my fantasy is to own my own little cabin getaway someday.  Notice all the chopped wood stacked outside one, waiting for the winter months!

Many other homes in town were pretty Victorian style, from mansion size to cottage style.

Lake City has many historic older buildings dating back to the mining era.

There are also many charming stores and restaurants to explore.

The Lake City Town Park in the center of town had a couple of amusing planters hanging in the trees--click on the photo collage to enlarge it to see them better. 

We enjoyed a delicious pizza for dinner at the Silver Slice Pizza Company--there was pepperoni under the folded crust!

We got up early the next morning to continue the final part of our drive on The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway...more scenes from that drive will be in my next post.

We loved visiting Lake City and we promised ourselves that we would have to return for a longer visit one day in the future.

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