Anvil Mountain

Parent Lineage: Ohio Peak

Anvil Mountain and Silverton as seen from the south, Highway 550

Anvil Mountain is a very large feature which rises up to the northwest out of Silverton. It forms the backbone between Cement Creek and Highway 550 leading up to Red Mountain Pass.
The plusses of recommending this hike are many. First, it is very close to Silverton. Second, it is not difficult and there are many places to turn around and return. The hike is very pleasant with a mixture of spruce trees, shade, openess. There is much evidence of elk and mountain sheep and little evidence of people. The mountain is also a popular back country ski destination. 

Approach from the northeast - Niagara Gulch

Approach from the west - Highway 550

Getting There

To get to the trailhead, drive north out of Silverton past the courthouse and keep straight on County Road 110. Do not take County Road 2, which goes right. Instead, continue past the park and drive up the hill. Shortly the road becomes gravel. Look for mile markers on the right and drive past the Alpine Loop sign and mile marker 3. Just past this, exactly as the road crosses the creek, look for a seldom used jeep trail going up through a field to the left. This is exactly 2.7 miles from Grand Imperial Hotel in downtown Silverton. Now for the decision - either find a place to park (accessible with 2 WD vehicles), or continue driving up the field (which is an avalanche path). This is a rocky road, and pretty steep, 4WD vehicle required. The rough dirt road gradually narrows over a mile until it becomes impassable to all vehicles. There are several spots to park along this section of the road.

Hike via Niagara Gulch

The dirt road on which you came, gradually narrows, and turns into a trail. The trail is easy to follow, and the views down into Silverton with the dominating feature of Kendall Mountain behind it. The trails has to cross a little creek coming in from the right. Cross this and carry on climbing gently to a second creek. This should be reached after less then 1 hr of hiking. From here the trail comes back left towards the main Niagara Creek and follows up to a grassy slope from where you can look up and see old mine. The trail becomes a little less discernable but heads up through the small spruce.
The simplest option from here is to bushwhack up the valley ahead of you to the saddle on the ridge. This will give you good views over the other side to Highway 550 and beyond. I found a small trail at the saddle, and followed it along the ridge all the way to the top of Anvil Mountain. The views from the summit of surrounding peaks are amazing.

Trailhead Elevation: 9770 feet at the county road
Elevation change: 2756 feet
Distance: 6 miles

Class: 2

West Approach from Highway 550

I have seen a trail over there in the summer, but my experience comes from the winter. Anvil Mountain is a popular back country ski mountain, and skiers use this approach. Park you car on Highway 550, 5 miles north from the intersection in Silverton (if coming from the south), or 16 miles south of Ouray. The parking spot is the turn off for a dirt road to Ophir Pass (not kept open during the winter). Cross the highway 550 to its eastern side, and follow a ridgeline towards the summit of Anvil Mountain. There is usually a visible trail in the winter (again this is a popular ski mountain). I have seen a trail when driving, and can imagine that even in the summer you can easily summit this way.
Cold Smoke This book describes several ski descents on Anvil Mountain.

Summit of Anvil Mountain

The summit of Anvil Mountain is large (you can camp out there), and there is a nice summit cairn and summit log.

Looking North	Rainy Grenadiers
Sultan Mountain	U.S. Grant and South Lookout peak
Looking down into the saddle	Looking down towards Highway 550

Red Tape

There is no red tape. Parking is for free. The trailhead is not really marked, but easy to find.

Camping

You can camp right at the start of the trail at Niagara Gulch. This would be a primitive camping and it is free. 
Or, this link can show you a list of developed campgrounds and its ratings in Silverton area.

External Links

• Anvil Mountain on List of John
• Anvil Mountain on Peakbagger
• Silverton on Wikipedia