Colorado Mountain Towns near Denver, A day trip to Silver Plume

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One thing that makes Colorado unique is the number of historic mountain towns through out the state. Some more popular than others such as Crested Butte, Telluride, and Breckenridge. However, there’s still a number of hidden gem towns with outdoor recreation and cool history. One being the very small town of Silver Plume.

Only dirt roads with one main street, this is one of the smallest towns I’ve been to in Colorado. However, there’s a really cool coffee shop, bar, and hike worth experiencing that makes this town worth spending an afternoon at. With that being said, lets get into it!

Where is Silver Plume

About an Hour West of Denver and 30 minutes East of Silverthorne, Silver Plume is right next to Georgetown off of i70.

What should we do

Grab Coffee at Plume Coffee Bar

Located in the center of town the Plume Coffee Bar is a great place to check out before you do some exploring. Open everyday except Tuesdays, this coffee shop will have baked goods as well as breakfast burritos and a full craft coffee menu. Pretty cool spot in a historic building that has a welcoming, home like feeling.

Hike the 7:30 Mine Trail

A somewhat challenging trail, leave your car parked in town and then walk up Silver Street until you see the trailhead. Although the trail has some elevation gain the views at the top are pretty amazing mixed with historic mines along the way and views of the downtown area. The only downside is the highway is right there, however once you get about halfway I felt like the noise starts to disappear. Towards the top will be Griffin Memorial. Griffin was a musician in the Mid 1800’s who came to Silver Plume for mining. He ended up striking big calling the mine 7:30 where silver and gold were prevalent. He ended up taking his life which is what the memorial at the top of this hike is for.

Trail Stats

3.6 Miles out and Back

1,210 feet of elevation gain

I probably wouldn’t take a pet on this trail due to it being narrow in areas on the trail

As you make your way up to the Griffin Memorial, please note that parts of the trail become narrow, with some drop offs. If you hike past Griffin Memorial there will be a waterfall at the very top of the hike! If you’re scared of heights I would be very careful hiking out to the Griffin Memorial. It is essentially an island separate from the main trail that you have to hike down to.

If you stay left when hiking down to it, you will be just fine. I’m somewhat scared of heights and was able to overcome the fear and hike out to the Memorial. The views are definitely worth it, especially if you go in the evening.

What should we pack?

This trail does have some rockier areas, so I would recommend a good pair of hiking boots. Other items that you’ll need are a rain jacket (just in case of bad weather), hiking pants or shorts, and hiking socks. Outdoor gear brands that I really like for hiking are Fjallraven, Smartwool (socks), Patagonia, Burton, Black Diamond and LaSportiva (hiking Boots). Depending on the time of year that you go a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt would also be recommended.

Stop in at Bread Bar for a drink (open Fri/Sat/Sunday only)

If you end up hiking this trail on the weekend, go to Bread at the end of town for a drink. Probably one of the coolest bars I’ve been to. They have a back patio with board games and it’s just a chill vibe all around. Amazing music playlist too. Sometimes there’s a food truck on the side of the building with authentic Mexican burritos and tacos. They’re open until 10 on Fridays and Saturdays, then Close at 6pm on Sundays.

Other Activities

Georgetown Train Loop

If you would like to do something other then hiking look into the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Museum. The boarding area starts in Georgetown (the next town over) then Loops through Silver Plume. Coach cars are wheel chair accessible and in the winter months 1st class cars are available for an upgraded price.

The train will take you through the scenic area of Clear Creek Valley, over the Devils Gate Bridge, and through the Mountains. You can actually do a Mine Tour when the taking the train ride you just have to buy a separate ticket for the tour. Overall the train loop was a little over an hour and if you do the mine tour it adds and extra hour to the train ride. Honestly a pretty fun activity that allows you to spend time outdoors in the Colorado Mountains. I saw a number of families with kids and I think it’s a great activity for kids due to the “cool” factor of being on a moving train.

The train stops in Silver Plume for 15 Minutes where you can get out, walk around, and check out the gift shop or Museum. If you end up not doing the actual train ride, walking around the Silver Plume train station and museum is still a great way to spend part of your day. The Silver Plume train station is only open from Mid May through October!

George Rowe Museum

Showcases the history of this once booming mining town. Silver was the most concentrated in this part of the state in the 1800’s. The museum preservers the history, artifacts and stories of Silver Plume.

Hike The Argentine Central Railroad Grade trail

Another hiking trail that starts across the highway from town with a little bit less elevation gain then the 7:30 Mine trail. The hike is longer at almost 6 miles out and back but will have similar views to Mine trail, such as overlooking the Clear Creek Valley and i70.

Looking for other Colorado Adventure? Check out the Reds Rocks Trail and Morrison Slide Loop. It’s a cool hike to do in the afternoon not far from Denver!

Hiking the incredible Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop Trail near Golden Colorado

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One of the coolest places to visit in Colorado is Red Rocks, just outside of the small town Morrison. If you’re able to catch a concert at the venue it is a pretty cool experience (highly recommend looking up shows in advance). Not far the venue are a number of hiking and biking trails that are a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening in this part of Colorado.

I’ve always wanted to explore this area for a day trip, so I decided to hop in the car and make the drive for the day from Breckenridge. Part of the Mathews/Winters Park, what’s cool about this loop trail is it isn’t too difficult. It would be a great way to spend some time with your family, friends, or a significant other outdoors. Dogs are also welcome too, they just have to be on a leash. In this post I’ll be going over trail details, parking, what to know, and best time to visit. Coool lets get into it

How to get there and where to park

To get to this trail you’ll take I-70 to the Golden/Morrison exit. Turn onto Alameda Pkwy (Red Rocks Amphitheater Entrance 1) and park either in the small parking lot on the left or on the road at the base of the trailhead. That’s the nice thing about Red Rocks, is there is plenty of parking on the side of the road because of the concert venue.

Trail Stats

Download the trail ahead of time on AllTrails for help with navigation. Although there is signage throughout the trail, it’s always nice to have a map with you.

• 3.2 mile loop

• 692 Feet of Elevation Gain

• Open 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset

• Dogs allowed, but must be on a leash

What to Pack

Plenty of water and sunscreen as this area can get pretty hot during the day, depending on the time of year. I would also make sure to have a good pair of hiking boots, a hat, sunglasses, lightweight outdoor clothing, as well as a rain jacket. Some of my favorite brands for outdoor gear include Patagonia, Fjallraven, Black Diamond, Hydroflask, and LaSportiva.

Best time of Year to Hike

May-October weather depending. During the winter there could be road closures due to snow, so check Jefferson County’s alerts and updates if you plan on hiking it during winter months. June is an awesome time because the temps aren’t too high yet and there’s also wildflowers along the trail.

If you want to avoid the heat I think the best time of day would be late afternoon-evening, catching a sunset as you hike back to the car. If you’re a morning person and can wake up early to catch a sunrise this hike would also be a great way to start the day!

What to Expect

The nice part about this area of Colorado is how different it is from the mountains such as Breck or Vail. It almost feels like a desert as the dirt and rocks are all red. Considered to be the foothills, which is in between the city and mountains, expect some elevation gain and rockier parts throughout your hike, hence the need for good hiking footwear. If you’re wondering about time, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike the loop depending on speed.

Trail Details

You’ll want to start at the trailhead for Red Rocks trail, across from the small parking lot. The first part of the hike is where you’ll see most of the Red Rocks. I wouldn’t say it’s a canyon, but it’s more enclosed then most of the hike. As you make your way up the first part of the trail, you’ll see the sign for Red Rocks Trail and Morrison Slide. Take the Red Rocks Trail!

This is where the trail starts to open up and you can see a lot of the foothills and part of I70. This portion also levels out and is a good spot to take a breather if needed. Notice the connecting trails down below!

If you have time, the Red Rocks trail will continue further off this loop. You’ll see signs for the this about halfway through the hike. Check the photo below for details. I ended up continuing on the Red Rocks trail by accident before hiking back up to continue on the Morrison Slide trail. Definitely worth taking a wrong turn, you kind of feel like you’re in the valley of the foothills, cool experience during golden hour!

As you make your way back up the Morrison Slide part of the Loop, be prepared for the last bit of elevation gain before the trail levels off.

Once level, you’ll notice a pretty awesome view of Golden, a smaller city outside of Denver. I live in the mountains and hikes with these kinds of views don’t exist, so it’s always nice to hike something different, that still provides that unique outdoor experience.

The last part of the hike is essentially hiking down where you first started, back on the Red Rocks trail. If it’s later in the day, the red color of the rocks is best for photography!

That’s it for the Red Rocks Trail Morrison Slide Loop. Leave a question or comment about his trail below and if you are looking for more adventures in Colorado, check out one of my favorite towns, Buena Vista.