Lime Creek A is a short connector route in the San Juan Mountains north of Silverton. The trail drops through spruce forest along a drainage above Lime Creek, losing elevation steadily over just under a mile and a half. It works well as a standalone short run or tied into a longer loop with other trails in the Lime Creek network.
Trail Summary
- Location: San Juan National Forest, near Silverton, Colorado
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Difficulty: Level 2.5 - Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD to high clearance 4x4
- Minimum Elevation: 10,408 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 10,884 ft
- Elevation Gain: 46 ft gain / 522 ft loss (net loss 476 ft)
- Travel Time: 13 to 20 minutes
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD, occasionally testing a high clearance 4x4
Stock equipment is sufficient for most of this route, though loose rock and short rutted sections will test tire traction and ground clearance. Expect obstacles under 9 inches such as embedded rocks and shallow ruts. Grades are moderate and traction is generally good, with a few looser pitches on the descent. The road stays roughly one to two vehicles wide.
Elevation
The route starts near 10,884 feet and descends to about 10,408 feet, a net loss of 476 feet over the run. Elevation loss is steady rather than abrupt, with the steepest drop occurring in the middle third of the trail. There is a small amount of intermittent climbing, about 46 feet total, where the road rolls over minor rises before continuing down.
Terrain
Mountain shelf road and rocky two-track through dense spruce and fir forest. The surface is a mix of packed dirt and embedded rock with occasional loose stone in the tighter switchback sections. Tree cover is heavy for most of the route, opening briefly where the road bends around the drainage.
4WD Experience
A high clearance 4WD handles this trail with no difficulty. The narrow tread and switchback turns are the main things to watch for rather than any technical obstacles. Low range is not needed under normal conditions, though it can help control descent speed on the looser sections near the middle of the run. Watch for oncoming traffic in the narrower stretches since there are limited spots to pass.
Travel Time
Recorded track time for this run was just over 13 minutes covering 1.4 miles. A high clearance 4WD vehicle driving at a cautious, deliberate pace with stops for navigation or passing traffic should plan on 15 to 20 minutes to cover the same distance.
Highlights
Consistent forest cover and a quiet, secluded feel define this stretch of trail. The elevation loss offers changing views of the surrounding timber as the road works its way down toward Lime Creek. It connects conveniently to nearby trails in the area for those looking to extend the drive into a longer route.
Trail GPS File
Map