Trails & Rails
Narrow Gauge train ride & Animas Forks / California Gulch Jeep Tour

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Travel back in time and over two miles above sea level as you explore historic ghost towns and majestic peaks. Departing from Durango you will travel by bus on the famous Million Dollar Highway (an American Scenic Byway) to the old mining boom town of Silverton, Colorado. Explore Silverton, shop and enjoy lunch on your own before meeting our professional tour guide at the bus drop off point in Silverton.

From Silverton, we will leave the highway and explore off-road the old mining ghost town of Animas Forks and California Gulch. Learn the history of the area and discover cascading rivers and tumbling waterfalls as they carve spectacular canyons amidst the towering San Juan Mountains. Wildlife and wildflowers paint this trip with variety and spice. Returning to Silverton, you'll thank your guide for the fun, informative and comfortable tour of the mountains and Colorado's most well-preserved ghost town.

Wrapping up the day is your return to Durango on the famous Narrow Gauge Railroad running inside the Animas River Canyon (the train or a high adventure trip on the Upper Animas River are the only ways to see inside Colorado's most inspiring canyon)!

Don’t miss the best of all - the scenic Million Dollar Highway by coach bus, exploring the quaint historic town of Silverton, discovering Colorado's most well-preserved ghost town and all Colorado's mountains have to offer and, lastly, enjoying the Narrow Gauge Railroad...one way...the best way!

"We were expecting this to be a nice trip, slightly into the mountains and the train ride, BUT it was so much more.  First of all, the guides on the jeep tour were great...fun to talk to, very informative, and very considerate.  Our jeep guide was very professional with his driving, which made us feel very safe during the whole trip. The jeep tour was absolutely unbelievable. Seeing snow as deep as we did in June was remarkable to us. We probably took forty or fifty pictures of waterfalls, and still didn't get them all.  Your suggestion on the train to ride in a gondola instead of other cars we had asked about was definitely the way to go for us. I remained standing the whole four hours, snapping pictures on either side...having more fun than a kid at Toys R Us.  Thank you for creating such a great memory for two old folks from the flatlands. It was the highlight of our vacation."

Jerry & Suzi Pinkston
Midland, Texas

 

"I would recommend the Trail to Rail package for anyone who wants to get a close look at the natural beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains! We were even able to photograph 2 wild baby moose! How exciting!!!

The knowledgable Jeep tour guides, Frank and Shane, made the trip so much fun! It was all more than we expected and definitely the best deal we'veever made!

The Jeep tour is definitely the best way to enhance the rail tour!"

Phares Family, Kansas

July 2010

 

Trip Highlights

• The famous and scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad...the best way - 1 way!
• Variety
  • Scenic drive on the Million Dollar Highway
  • Shop and eat in historic Silverton
  • Explore ghost towns and Colorado mountains
  • Mild hikes to waterfalls
• Majestic views inside the Animas River canyon
• Neck-jerking views from the Million Dollar Corridor
• Tumbling waterfalls and cascading creeks
• Animas Forks ghost town
• Wildlife: marmots, white-tailed deer, eagles, sometimes bear or lynx!
• Gorgeous Colorado wildflowers
• Interpretive, knowledgeable guides

Itinerary

8:00 am: Park your car at the Railroad parking lot located west of McDonalds on College Drive (Cost $7.00).

8:15 am: Board Mild to Wild vehicle at Railroad parking.

8:30 am:Depart for Railroad parking lot.  Our driver will treat you  to the scenic Million Dollar Skyway (rated one of the most scenic drives in the US) as we travel through beautiful summits and mountain passes!  You'll be glad you aren't driving so you can take in the views!

10:00 am: Arrive in Silverton, and meet our Jeep Trail Tour guide at the Shady Lady Restaurant on Blair Street.  Board our custom open-air tour vehicle and head out on the rugged mining roads above Silverton.  Discover cascading waterfalls, tumbling creeks, Colorado's infamous wildflowers and picturesque scenery.  Explore Colorado's most preserved ghost town, as you learn the history of the area and stories of local traditions of times past.  We will reach about 13,000 feet and maybe even have a snowball fight!

1:15 pm: Return to Silverton and enjoy shops and lunch on your own at one of the fun restaurants!

2:45 pm: Board train for return to Durango.

3:00 pm: Depart Silverton, this time traveling down in the Animas River gorge through pine-filled landscape and alongside the raging Animas River!

6:30 pm: Arrive in Durango.

Trip Times

Kids 4 and under are free (if the child will ride on your lap). If the child needs a seat on the train, the fee is $49.

†3% Forest Service Fee not included in price

*Times may vary depending on train schedule. Your actual departure time/return time will be indicated in your confirmation packet. Our bus driver will bring your train tickets when you meet at the train station parking lot the morning of your trip. You can also pick up your train tickets the evening prior to trip at Mild to Wild’s Durango office located at 50 Animas View Drive (see directions below). 1-800-567-6745

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Trip Provisions

• Quality, maintained custom 4x4 vehicle
• Professional, highly trained and educated, skilled Jeep trail driver guides
• Safety orientation
• Rain jacket
• Unlimited water and lemonade
• Fleece blanket
• Gas

Needed Additional Provisions

• 3% Forest Service fee
• Warm clothes
• Money for lunch in Silverton
• Eye protection for the train ride (glasses, sun glasses)
• Dark clothes (to mask the soot from the steam engine train)

What to Bring/Wear

Wear layers, layers, layers including warm jacket, hat and gloves if possible!! Dark clothes are preferable to mask the soot from the train. The temperature can change dramatically on this trip as you venture high into the Rockies. Fleece jackets are available for rent (see Rental). Bring sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen and camera (great family Christmas card photo opportunities).

Departure Days

The Trails 'n' Rails Adventure package departs everyday except for Sunday.

Directions to Our Office

Our office is located at 50 Animas Dr., at the north end of Main Ave. in Durango. If you are coming from the downtown area or the south end of town, you want to head north on Main Ave. You will pass City Market and 32nd St., go another 6 blocks, and Animas View Dr. will be on the right side of the road. We are diagonally across from the Hampton Inn. You will be able to see our building and busses from Main Ave.

If you are coming from the north, head south on highway 550 towards Durango. When you get to Durango, you will pass the Iron Horse Inn on the left, continue about another 1/2 mile and you will see Animas View Dr. on the left. We are the first building once you turn onto Animas View Dr.

More Information

• Map to Trails n' Rails Meeting Point
• Send a Friend a Referral
• View Testimonials
• View Rental Price Lists

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