Eureka Gulch

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5/5 (16 reviews)
Silverton, Colorado (SanJuan County)
Last Updated: 05/30/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Eureka Gulch is a gorgeous route that climbs up to the location of one of the most disastrous mining accidents to ever happen in the mining industry; the collapse and total drainage of Lake Emma. The Sunnyside Mine had tunneled directly under Lake Emma, 70 feet above to reach a rich gold vein located there. On Sunday June 4, 1978, on the only day of the week that the mine was completely shut down, the lake burst through into the empty mine shafts. This incident completely drained Lake Emma and left the empty basin that can be seen at the end of the route. First hand accounts of the Sunnyside Mine incident can be discovered in the book "Silverton Gold" written by Allen G. Bird.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (16)
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Official Crew
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6950
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/16/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ran this trail on July 16 and it was fully open. Note that you can no longer drive all the way to waypoint 3 as I encountered a locked gate blocking the spur road shortly before the mill. Also, the references in this writeup to the MVUM are incorrect, as this road is on a mixture of BLM and private land, not Forest Service land, so the MVUM does not apply. There are several more short side spurs near the top to different mining ruins that appear legal to drive. The road into the lakebed appears to be on private land and was blocked with cones when I was there. I observed a lot of construction equipment past there and it looked like a mine reclamation project is going on in there. Very scenic basin and I enjoyed seeing it.
Trail Review: Eureka Gulch - Patrick McKay
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Official Crew
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27850
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/30/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Listed an open per San Juan County. Please be aware that snowy road conditions could still be present in spots.
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Official Crew
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27850
Impassable
Visited: 10/23/2022

A recent winter storm in the Ouray/ Silverton area has dropped a measurable amount of snow and high winds have been in the area. Some high country routes in the area may be passable but high country travel is not recommended.
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Official Crew
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27850
Open
Visited: 06/16/2022

Announced as open per San Juan County
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Official Crew
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27850
Impassable
Visited: 10/12/2021

Weather Forecasts for the San Juan Mountains call for a significant amount of snow in the coming days. Although some routes may be open, travel over these high mountain passes in winter conditions are not advised.

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