San Juan Mountains - August 25, 2007 (Re-run)

 Our route through the mountains, in a rented Jeep, took us up Corkscrew Gulch with great views of the Red Mountains.  Crossing over Hurricane Pass, we saw the splendor of Lake Como far below.  In fact, we decided to go to the lake for lunch.  Refreshed by our meal, we headed back up to cross California Pass and reached an elevation of 13,000 feet.  Finally, we headed down Placer Gulch to the historic ghost town of Animas Forks.  This was once a prosperous mining camp some 11,200 feet above sea level, so weather was a challenge.  They once had a blizzard lasting 23 days, dumping 25 feet of snow on the town.  Most of the residents would spend winters in Silverton to escape the severe cold.  At 9400 feet of elvation, I'll bet Silverton was far from balmy.  After the mines played out, Animas Forks became a ghost town around 1920.