SAN JUAN TRIANGLE  

 

  The San Juan Triangle   is the northern part of San Juan County with borders with Ouray, Hinsdale, San Miguel counties. The southern boundary is a little south of Silverton. The area covers the main mining district with mines beyond San Juan into Ouray, Hinsdale and San Miguel counties and is   one of or the largest historical mining areas in the western USA  . San Juan Triangle (SJT) is accessed by county roads CR 2, CR 3, CR 4, CR 5, US 110, CR 51, CR 52, CR 53, CR 35, CR 61, CR 9, CR 19, CR 11, CR 17 and  US 550.  The SJT has about 400 mine sites, several buildings in various states of stability, long gone mill sites, numerous mining artifacts, Animas Forks ghost town, Sound Democrat Mill, Placer Boarding House, Eureka site & camp ground, Sunnyside mines/mill, Gold Prince mine site, Frisco mill/mine, Buffalo Boy mine/tram, Big Giant mine/mill/tram, Mayflower mine/mill/tram, numerous mountain vistas, mining mill and mine tours.  Also hiking, camping, vehicle rentals, the old west mining.

Around 1900 (125 years ago) the San Juan Triangle was a busy mining commerce with 1000s of people, small towns, 100s of working mines, many mills and mining operations, railroads, tramways. Today, still remnants of mining past with tailings, adits, shafts, standing buildings, building and town sites, tramways, artifacts. San Juan Triangle is an outdoor museum of the mining past on the original mining roads. 

  Silverton     In 1874, Silverton's town site was established, quickly becoming the hub of numerous mining camps. Alongside miners, the town attracted the attention of a Denver railroad company. In July 1882, the inaugural train from Durango, operated by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, arrived in Silverton. By 1883, Silverton boasted a population of 2,000, featuring 400 buildings, including 2 banks, 5 laundries, 29 saloons, hotels, and the notorious red-light district, Blair Street.

From 1874, families began relocating to Silverton, prompting efforts to maintain respectability within the town. An imaginary line down Greene Street symbolized the division between law-abiding residents and the establishments associated with gambling, prostitution, and entertainment.

In May 1883, a grand jury indicted 117 "lewd women" on Notorious Blair Street. While fines were imposed, gambling and prostitution were somewhat tolerated as long as they remained confined to certain areas. Such lascivious behavior was not necessarily condemned, as fines were readily used for the growing community.

 

 

 

FREE MAP WITH MINE NAMES     PDF MAP WITH MINE NAMES

 

FOR 2025 THIS MAP WILL HAVE ROAD GRADE   A  B  C  D  E   A=HWY 2 WHEEL DRIVE    E=LAST TIME USE TRUCK 4 WHEEL DRIVE (JEEP,OHV)

NOTE DEPENDING ON WEATHER AND MAINTENANCE GRADE CHANGE + -

ALSO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE  SANJUANJEEPROADS.US

FULL MAP WITH COUNTY ROADS- AVAILABLE FREE   PDF COUNTY ROADS 

 

FULL MAP WITH MINE SITES - AVAILABLE FREE    PDF FULL MAP 700+ MINES

PDF DATABASE SORTED BY SITE CODE      PDF DATABASE SORTED BY SITE NAME

PHOTO FOLDERS AVAILABLE  $75

 SJTP  site code is San Juan Triangle Project, (or San Juan Triangle Plus map) data base, photos

This map  is about 33" x 35" , high resolution super detail, site code (blue&red dot), GPS location.   San Juan Triangle Project    accurate site GPS location, site names, EPA Superfund and reclamation, site condition. SJT Project in the form of PDFs for computer or cell phone, site data, Availability free by PDF.  A printed map for wall about 33" x 35" on heavy vinyl (scrim) near canvas may be available from selected locations. About 7000+ high resolution site photos, 1-200/site 400+ sites with historical artifacts and historical significance, location, limited availability.  Donations of site photos appreciated (see below). Map, photos and data available for publications. Probably the most accurate road & mine map for cell phones .

NOTE - all map and data is release June 2024, update map and data about March 2025.

   San Juan Triangle Project    is to properly document all 425 or more worked mine sites (not claims or prospects), exact GPS location, name, photographs, mining artifacts & trams, historical condition, comments, county road & roughness, and site water interaction, completion late 2025. For institutions, Colorado Gov, Colorado School of Mines, libraries,  BLM, EPA, USFS, map, photos, database available free (contact sanjuantriangle.org), multiple high resolution site images over 7000+ (15gb), historical significance, historical artifacts with detailed site water interaction photos based on superfund report May 2018, by on ground, drone, a few satellite. From Superfund Final Report May 2018, some mine sites with over 100 HQ (red) in near water have no water from mine or tailings or any recent water in the area, clearly documented by recent photos.  Note on location - some claimed mine sites have no clear visible site are database marked No Satellite, on map a small dot, have no photo, valid site unknown. 

   SanJuanTriangle.org    supports Silverton, EPA, BLM, USFS in efforts to do proper reclamation saving San Juan Triangle historic mining museum.

 

    History of Silverton   

     History of San Juan Triangle   

  Silverton Northern RR    

  1900 Buildings Silverton    

     

   50 Selected Photos     

Colorado Restoration Funding  

   SAN JUAN TRIANGLE reclamation past issues    


 

SAN JUAN TRIANGLE VIEWS

Be aware of road conditions in the San Juan Triangle. Most roads are four wheel drive only, high clearance and not maintained. The only roads suitable for highway only vehicles are county road CR 2 to Eureka, US110 to Gladstone, CR 4 to Old Hundred mine tour. All mines are closed, gated or collapsed except Old Hundred.

   

  

  

  

  

  

   

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  San Juan Triangle verified QUALITY FRIENDLY services: 

 

              

 LOCAL AD SPACE IS FREE    970-247-1583    (backdrop warehouse)   

 OVER 700 SJT BUSINESS CARDS TO PUBLIC SO FAR PLUS NEW FLYERS,  FACEBOOK,  WEB LINKS AND 1000s visits from GOOGLE

  

 

 

 

 

RENTALS

   ROCK PIRATES BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES

   OHV  RENTALS      957 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON   81433

    We deliver

    piratebackcountryadventures.com

 

   MADD HATTER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

   OHV  JEEP RENTALS

    6 MEARS AVE,  SILVERTON   81433

    maddhatteroutdooradventures.com

 

  

   SAN JUAN BACKCOUNTRY

   ATV  UTV  OHV  JEEP   BIKE  RENTALS

   1119 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON   81433

    970 387 5565

    sanjuanbackcountry.com

    PEDAL THE PEAKS SILVERTON

    906 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433       970 387 9875

     ptpsilverton.com

     BICYCLE SALES   RENTAL    REPAIR

   

 

LODGING
   EUREKA CAMPGROUND

    EUREKA  county road 2

   eurekacampground.com/

   BENT ELBOW      HOTEL

   1114 BLAIR ST,  SILVERTON CO  81433       970 387 5775

    

   HISTORIC ALMA HOUSE      (just off of BLAIR)

   220 EAST   10TH STREET,  SILVERTON CO  81433       970 387 5336

   innoftherockies.com                   almahouseinn@gmail.com

   HOTEL        FANTASTIC HISTORIC   (1900) LODGING   (a must see)

   GRAND IMPERIAL HOTEL    1900 DECOR  

   1912 GREENE STREET,  SILVERTON CO  81433       970 387 5527

   grandimperialhotel.com                 

   HOTEL  RESTAURANT  SALOON  1900@2024 ROOMS  MULTI BED OPTIONS  EXQUISITE DESIGN

TOURS & HISTORY
  OLD HUNDRED GOLD MINE TOUR

   741 COUNTY ROAD 4A, SILVERTON CO 81433

   Gold mine tour takes you 1/3 mile into old gold mine

   minetour.com/  

  MILD TO WILD       COLORADO   UTAH   ARIZONA

   50 ANIMAS VIEW DR, DURANGO CO 81301          970 247 4789

   Rafting trips   Jeep tours

   mild2wildrafting   


 

FOOD
   

     EL BANDITO AT THE BENT ELBOW     

    1114 BLAIR ST,  SILVERTON,  CO  81433        970 387 5775

     MEXICAN FOOD  & BAR

 

 

    NATALIA'S  RESTAURANT

    1159 BLAIR ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433         970 387 5300

     natalias1912.com

     open MAY - OCT    BREAKFAST   LUNCH   DINNER

   
    GOODIES TO GO

    1159 BLAIR ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433       970 387 5300

     natalias1912.com

     COFFEE HOUSE   CREAMERY    PASTRY

   
    AVALANCHE BREWING CO

    1151 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433       970 387 5282

     avalanchebrewing.com

     FOOD   BAR    BREWING

   
    SHADY LADY ON BLAIR

    1154 BLAIR ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433       970 387 5332    

     AMERICAN FOOD   &   BAR

   
    KENDALL MOUNTAIN CAFE

    1421 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433       970 387 5177

     kendallmountaincafe.com

     CLASSIC BREAKFAST    GREAT LUNCH

   
    COFFEE BEAR

    1309 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433       970 903 7032    

     COFFEE    PASTRY     BURRITO

   
    HANDLEBARS

    1323 GREENE ST,  SILVERTON, CO.  81433      970 387 5395

     FOOD   SALOON

   

 

STORES & SOUVENIRS
  YE  OLDE LIVERY

   PO BOX 67,    GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

   GIFTS & SOUVENIRS       505 330 5750

     

  GREAT DIVIDE COMPANY

  1248   GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

   GIFTS    SOUVENIRS   APPAREL   

     

  No  MAD

  1206  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

   nomadsilverton.com

   FINE JUNK    CURATED CLOTHING         INSTAGRAM@NOMADSILVERTON

     

  TIMBERLINE TRADING

   1234  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

    designattimberline.com

    CUSTOM SOUVENIRS    CURIOSITIES       970  799  3406

     

  THE ORANGE CRATE TOO            970 799 3799

   1320  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

    COW HIDE STUFF    SOUVENIRS    CLOTHES     MUCH STUFF    GREAT STUFF

     

  SILVERTON  MINERALS  GIFTS            970 387  5702

   1245  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

    MINERALS  GIFTS   SOUVENIRS

     

  GERTIE'S  GIFTS

   1202  BLAIR ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433      NOTORIOUS BLAIR

    FUDGE   FUDGE   WHIMSY   TEE SHIRTS

     

  SILVERTON  CAMERA            970 946 1797

  116 EAST 12TH ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

   silvertoncamera.com

   CAMERAS   ACCESSORIES   FILM    BUY  SELL  TRADE

     

  ASTORITE MINING & JEWELRY       K & C TRADERS

   1219  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

   astorite.com

    ASTORITE   JEWELRY                     ASTORITE FROM JACOB ASTOR IV  (1912)

     

  HOLIDAY STOP

   1250  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433

   theholidaystop.com

    HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS   CANDLES

     

  WHITE EYES GALLERY

   1250  GREENE ST,  SILVERTON CO 81433          602 525 1837

    FINE SOUTHWEST INDIGENOUS ART

     

 

SERVICES

   SILVERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

   1117 REESE ST, SILVERTON CO 81433      970 387 5770

   silverton.colibraries.org  

   SILVERTON PUBLIC TOILET

   1239 BLAIR ST, SILVERTON CO 81433     

   TOILET   SHOWERS   INFORMATION CENTER    KITCHEN

 

 

 

WEBSITE LINKS

 

   MONTROSEHISTORY.ORG

   SANJUANJEEPROADS.US

   SANJUANCOUNTY.COLORADO.GOV

   SILVERTONCOLORADO.COM

   DIVISION OF RECLAMATION

  WESTERNMININGHISTORY.COM

 

 
This page is not an approval of accuracy, content or support by advertisers, business card or flyer distribution, links or other distribution.  This page is produced for information only by SanJuanTriangle.org. SanJuanTriangle.org supports EPA, USFS and BLM for clean water, proper reclamation and preserve historical sites.,

Since sanjuantriangle.org cannot verify site name(s), if name(s) are possible, a data line is entered for each name. Many sites have multiple names. Sanjuantriangle.org verifies GPS by several sources however no guarantee 100% accuracy.

Photo donations - size 1-4mb / image jpg, suggest contact us before sending on thumb drive (flash drive). Do not send by email. Only interested in mine site images and same site artifacts, not already SJTP imaged, not local scenery, samples photos on sanjuantriangle.org SJTP coded, If accepted images, may be able to return thumb drive with images by SJTP photo folder from sanjuantriangle.org  7000 listing by SJTP code. Depending on quality and number, may be able to add acknowledgement in text in SJTP site photo folder. Acknowledgement text on image acceptable but copyright not accepted as all photos are public.  

  EMAIL for ISSUES     troy 63 gage at durangolumber.com       sanjuantriangle.org not responsible for errors, please contact  
Image Disclaimer - SanJuanTriangle.org does not image on the ground on private land properly marked and gated "No Trespassing". SanJuanTriangle.org does accept images from other people, images may be old, images may be from drone. SanJuanTriangle.org also does not make public images that encourage trespassing and vandalism like visibly open adits or current equipment. SanJuanTriangle.org will remove any image with solid proof that image was from ground on private property properly marked "No Trespassing" and gated at the time of image, or image clearly may cause trespassing or vandalism due to current conditions. Historical site imaging does not qualify. Data code P0 is photos not public, owner approval required for government photos..