The Trail: Quick Stats

Distance: From staging at Eureka Townsite to top of California Gulch is 8 miles. 16 miles out and back.

Time to ride: If on an ATV/UTV, allow 2 hours for stop-offs and photos. If on a dirtbike, allow 1-2 hours with photo stops.

Elevation Gain: From the official start of California Gulch trail near Animas Forks to the top there is an approximate elevation gain of 1,530 feet.

Sites/Views: Bagley Mill, Animas Forks Ghost Town, Lake Como, The Columbus Mine and Mill, Mountain Queen Mine, wildflowers, waterfalls, scenic mountain views, creeks.

Best Time to Ride: Late June through early October.

Bagley Mill

Bagley Mill was built in the year 1912. It treated ore from the Frisco tunnel and could process 150 tons per day! The Frisco tunnel is over a mile deep into Houghton Mountain. The mill was active from 1904 to 1915.

Stream near Columbus Mine and Mill

Lake Como

We rode this trail on July 4th weekend. As you can see, parts of the mountains were still incredibly snowy. This made the road wet and slick in some parts. Others had snow drifts covering part of the trail.

Looking back over the Eureka Townsite

The long road you see weaving in this photograph takes you back to the Eureka Townsite.

Near the top of California Pass

This photo was snapped near the top of California Pass! Look at all that snow on the side of the road.

California Pass, Silverton

Another snap from the top of California Pass.

Squeak squeak - fuzzy marmot!

This fellow was watching us as we stopped at an abandoned cabin on the side of the road.

Wildflowers in Silverton, Colorado

When you ride the trails in the early-mid summer, there is a lot of snow melt and an abundance of wildflowers!

Are you looking for a fun trail that a rider of any skill level can complete? I would recommend California Gulch Trail. It's a relatively short trail at only 8 miles from the staging area to the top, so you don't need to worry about running out of gas! There is an elevation gain of 1,530 feet from the official start of the trail at Animas Forks to the top of California Gulch. My favorite part of California Gulch trail was the fantastic scenery, the ghost town of Animas Forks, and the abandoned mines along the route. Read on for more information on the mines, the ghost town and more details about the ride!

The Trail: Staging

Staging/Camping: We camped in the old Eureka Townsite for a small fee of $10 (6350 Co Rd 2, Silverton, CO 81433). You can stage on the left side of the road for free and there is plenty of room for your camper/UTV trailer on most weekends. Directions from Silverton, Colorado - Head southeast on W 12th St toward Greene St (92 ft.). Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Greene St (0.6 miles). Turn left onto State Hwy 110 (6.4 miles). Slight left onto Co Rd 10 (3.7 miles). Turn right onto Co Rd 19 (3.1 miles). Continue onto Co Rd 9 (1.1 miles). Turn left (0.4 miles). Turn right onto Co Rd 2. Destination will be on the left after 3.3 miles.

The $10 for camping is not too shabby considering all of the great riding and views that are a stone’s throw away. Eureka was a mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. You can probably guess where the name Eureka came from… The Gold Prince Mill from Animas Forks was deconstructed in the 1870s and moved to Eureka. It became known as the Sunnyside Mill. The Sunnyside Mill was closed in 1939 and you can still see the foundation of the main mill building. They mined and processed both silver and gold.

It did not take us the full time google maps said it will to get here. We had no issues pulling our trailer on this road.

Wet and snowy shelf road to top of California Gulch

Animas Forks

Old Mining Equipment - Columbus Mine

Columbus Mine

Animas Forks

The Trail: Riding

California Gulch is a gem. Riding this on a dirtbike is incredibly easy for a rider of any skill level. It’s a fast out-and-back trail that offers scenic views of mountains and old mines. Additionally, the trails are clearly marked. Depending on the trail book you refer to, you may start at either the Eureka Townsite or on the edge of Animas Forks. For this trail description, we will be starting at the Eureka Townsite. I have compared GPS coordinates from multiple trail books and our own experience to bring you accurate directions. I will link the trail and guide books I own and reference below.

Starting at the staging area (Waypoint 1 - N37° 52.85’ W107° 33.98’), head north on County Road 2 for 2.8 miles. You will come to a 3-way junction.
Continue straight at this junction. If you go left, you will end up on Picayne and Placer Gulches (a fun intermediate trail). If you turn right, you will end up on Burns Gulch (an intermediate trail). You will continue to mile 3.5 (Waypoint 2 - N37° 55.60’ W107° 33.79’). You will reach another junction at mile 3.5.
At this junction stay to the left. If you go right, you will end up on CR 2 and taken to Mineral Creek (moderate), Engineer Pass (easy), and Cinnamon Pass (easy). Continue straight until you reach Animas Forks on your left. This is at mile 4.1.
Continue staying left and proceed towards Columbus Mill (mile 4.2).
You will notice a small road merges on the right at mile 4.5.
At mile 4.8, you will pass Bagley Mill on your right-hand side. This is a great place to stop and take some photos.
At 5.4 miles, continue straight. If you turn left you will end up on Placer Gulch. (Waypoint 3 - N37° 55.06’ W107° 35.40’)
At mile 7.4, begin climbing up the shelf road. It is a little steep and can be slippery in the spring. You will find a lot of snow along the edges of the road if you ride before July.
At mile 8.1, you’ve made it to the top! (Waypoint 4 - N37° 55.06’ W107° 37.05’). Keep on riding to see Lake Como.
(Waypoint 5 - N37° 55.22’ W107° 37.19’) This is the official end to the California Gulch trail. You can continue on to either the Poughkeepsie Gulch Trail (difficult) by turning right or you can fo left to connect with Hurricane Pass trails - Prospect Gulch and Corkscrew Gulch.

This portable sized riding guide is fantastic for the area of Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City. It is primarily for ATVs but can be used for dirtbiking too.

If you're interested in more historical information about Colorado ghost towns and mines, I would suggest this book. It covers the entire state!!