Silvercreek Trail

A magnificent stream amongst classic San Juan mountain beauty. Silvercreek is a natural phenomenon that by itself is worth a visit. The creek originates in the volcanic rock of the mountains above that make the water acidic. The water then dissolves aluminum and carries it downstream. As the water mixes with other water and becomes less acidic the aluminum is then deposited on the rocks as the white powder aluminum-hydroxide. This creates a brilliant streambed. Follow the trail East from the parking lot. After a half mile the trail will follow immediately next to the creek. Continue on the trail until you reach the spot that the South Fork of Silvercreek merges with the main creek. The white coloring on the rocks is at its best here. Just before this spot is a junction with a small stream from the north that carries a lot of oxidized iron. This makes for a red stream merging with a white stream. The most amazing part is that this is all natural. No human activity created these beautiful colors.