Known for its Rugged Roots, Silverton, Colorado Wants to Expand Opportunities with Accessible MTB Trails
Silverton, Colorado is toeing past its rugged mining history and gnarly skiing reputation with an ambitious plan for a major mountain bike trail network.
By Matt Miller
Founded by hardened miners and now frequented by advanced skiers, Silverton, Colorado has never been the town for those seeking a typical winter vacation. If the Silverton Mountain logo, resembling a triangular caution sign wasn’t warning enough, the website clearly states the resort is for advanced skiers only.
Mountain biking in Silverton isn’t much different. Sitting at 9,300 feet, most of the singletrack is made from old mining or mule trails and requires grit and lots of leg and lung power.
“It’s super rugged,” said Klemens Branner, a founding member of the Silverton Singletrack Society (SSS) and board president. “Basically, the mountain biking we have, you either ride on dirt roads, which is not a whole lot of fun, or it’s kind of expert only [trails].”