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AROUND CREEDE
From the mighty Rio Grande to the historic mining town of Creede, our mountain oasis is a unique place to spend the winter. Creede offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, holiday markets and celebrations, days-upon-days of sunshine, and select moments of solitude. Say goodbye to crowds and hello to friendly faces, clean mountain air, and miles of forest wrapped in a snowy blanket of quiet.
Take a minute to reflect on yourself, your family, your life. Creede offers the perfect opportunity to get a taste of the true Colorado experience. Along the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway, State Highway 149, are some of the most majestic valleys in all of Colorado - the distances between mountain peaks appears vast and mesmerizing.
SNOW MOBILING
Silver Thread Escape has tons of parking for trucks and trailers, making it an ideal HQ for your snowmobiling adventures!
Snowmobile trails in the Lake City/Creede area provide all types of riding adventures: steep mountain passes, open meadows and soothing groomed riding all make up this system in the Gunnison and Rio Grand National Forests.
Spanning from Lake City to Creede crossing over the Continental Divide, the Snow Mesa, Table Mountain and Bristol Head trails in this area total more than 200 miles!
Riders of any experience level can find what they're looking for. Trails are maintained November through March and start at 8,500 feet, rising up to about 13,000 feet. Snow depths vary in this area from 1-2ft to 8ft or more!
Six trailhead/parking areas:
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Penniston
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Slumgullion Pass
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Continental
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Homestake
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Love Lake
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Spring Creek Pass
The Penniston Trailhead is located 4 miles south of Lake City along Hwy 149 near Lake San Cristobal. Homestake Trailhead is just a few miles north of Creede on Road #504. The Love Lake Trail travels 10 miles south off Hwy 149, following Road #523. Continental Trailhead is halfway between Lake City and Creede.
ICE SKATING & POND HOCKEY
The Silver Ice Park make up one of Creede’ s premier outdoor wintertime recreational facilities. The park boasts two skating ponds, a warming hut, a skate shack complete with equipment free for public use, and lights for nighttime skating. Weather permitting ponds are available for use December - February. Skate at your own risk!
Every January, during Martin Luther King Jr weekend, the park hosts a one of a kind tournament. A chilly breeze, warm bonfire, and afternoon cocktail make the Creede Pond Hockey tournament one of the most loved winter events in town.
From the stands, observers can enjoy the unique rock formations while watching local Creede folk battle out-of-town teams for the puck, and yearly bragging rights!
NORDIC & BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Nordic and backcountry skiing and snowshoeing opportunities abound in Mineral County - and you'll be in the center of it all!
One of the sunniest spots in Colorado offers unlimited backcountry territory to experts and newcomers both.
Mineral County's Upper Rio Grande Nordic Club maintains miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiers.
A quick trip into town to rent gear from San Juan Sports and get updated info on the best spots to go...and you are on your way to a spectacular day!
WOLF CREEK SKI AREA
Downhill skiers and snowboarders alike will love the family-oriented atmosphere and limited lift lines at Wolf Creek, which boasts the most snow in Colorado!
With 1600 acres of terrain, beginners to advanced skiers and boarders will feel right at home. Several lifts provide access to a large number of trails, with 20% for beginners, 35% intermediate, 25% advanced, and 20% for experts.
A beautiful 45-minute drive from Creede, Wolf Creek features restaurants, adult and child lessons, 1/2 day passes, 8 chair lifts, 2 conveyer lifts, 1 poma lift, 133 skiable trails, 1604 ft vertical drop and regularly gets430+ inches snowfall annually. Open: late October - mid-April
ICE FISHING
Mineral County’s lakes and reservoirs provide excellent winter fishing. Ice fishing is a favorite winter pastime for the locals.
Stop at the Ramble House for expert advice on ice fishing.
Favorite spots include Road Canyon Reservoir, Big Meadows Reservoir, and Beaver Creek Reservoir.
SLEDDING & TUBING
Great hills can be found inside Creede city limits and throughout Mineral County. A few favorite spots include Sunnyside off the Bachelor Loop, the top of Spring Creek Pass, or around the intersection of Lime & Ivy Creeks. Check for sleds at Tomkins Hardware. This is an adventure to be enjoyed by all ages!
Trails galore interlace the countryside around Creede and throughout Mineral County. Public lands, which constitute 96% of the county, provide ample access to Forest Service trails, many of which carry multi-use designations,
Descriptive brochures and maps of Forest Service trails and roads are available at the Creede Ranger Station on South Main Street.
The Continental Divide Trail and the Colorado Trail are two favorite high- country hiking routes that pass through Mineral County. Regional Volksmarch trails are clearly marked.
Mineral County has constructed a trail leading south from the Creede ballpark. This new trail affords a pleasant recreational environment for bikers, hikers, and joggers.
Up and Over (3 miles, significant climb)
The most well-known hike in the area can be hiked in either direction. The trailhead is across La Garita Street from gas station. Starts in Town.
South Clear Creek Falls @ Silver Thread Campground
Restroom at trailhead
From the south end of the campground, an 1,100 foot hike (about .2 miles) is along a well-maintained trail and ends at a dramatic and beautiful waterfall! This is a perfect hike for young kids.
Hobbit Trail
Up and Back; moderate elevation gain
A favorite among locals. This hike starts about a mile and a half north of town along the Bachelor Loop.
Deep Creek Trail
#806 Up and Back; gradual climb
This is a great day hike trail just outside of town.
Miner's Creek Trail
#803 - Up and Back; slight climb for first mile. Just across Hwy 149 from Silver Thread Escape.
Scenery, shade and solitude are available along this trail! Park near the cabin at the trail head at the end of Miner's Creek Road.
Shallow Creek Trail
#897 - Up and Back; relatively flat for first 1.5 miles
The trail starts at the end of the parking area and camping sites. spring and ends at a last creek crossing right before entering the private property of a hilltop yurt.
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