This Colorado Trail Leads to a Town That Shouldn't Exist

The mountains above Durango were named for silver that was never really there and this trail tells the whole story. In this episode of Recon America, I point the Jeep up La Plata Canyon toward Kennebec Pass, an easy backcountry route that climbs past waterfalls, old mining claims, and the ruins of towns that boomed and busted 150 years ago. Most of the trail is a comfortable graded road, but the last stretch gets rocky you'll want 4WD and a little patience. At the top: the remains of the Cumberland Mine and some of the best views in the San Juans. Then it's down the other side into Durango a town that only exists because its neighbor told the railroad no. I grab coffee at the depot, spend a couple hours in the free railroad museum watching the crew keep century-old steam locomotives alive, and find what might be the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. 🗺️ Download this exact route on onX Offroad: https://webmap.onxmaps.com/offroad/share/content?share_id=01KWNA1Z7CY824A5QRD1NRE6H7 🔗 Get 20% off onX Offroad: https://bit.ly/onxtrailrecon20 🌎 TrailRecon Shop: https://bit.ly/trailreconstore ⛑️TrailRecon First Aid Kit: https://bit.ly/TrailReconFirstAidKit Follow me on: 🛻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trailrecon/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailrecon/ 🌎Join the TrailRecon Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1473103579443617/