Rock Pirates, Silverton, CO

Join Polaris Adventures Content Manager Jared Christie as he travels to his #1 offroad riding destination in the country, Silverton, CO. There are 10,000 reasons why you should do The Alpine Loop.

Book your next adventure @ www.adventures.polaris.com 

Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Polaris Industries Inc.
 © 2026 Polaris Industries Inc.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the Flaris Adventures Podcast. I'm your host, Jared Christie. When it comes to my own personal top ride spots in the country, I'm very picky. And today we're headed to my number one location, Silverton, Colorado. If you're gonna do one ride in your lifetime, then you must do the Alpine Loop. Joining me today is Eric Lawyer, owner of Rock Pirates in Silverton, Colorado. Eric, how are you? Very good. Great to be here. Yeah. Eric, I've been telling people for years that the Alpine Loop in Silverton is my number one ride. I'm sure you hear the same thing.

SPEAKER_01 0:34

Yeah, I mean, I I have coming from someone like you who's written as much as you have, that that makes me really proud. Um, I gotta tell you, that that makes me smile. So it's great to hear.

SPEAKER_00 0:44

Well, there's a lot of smiles to be had on that ride because of the experience that you're gonna have. So let's get everyone up to speed on the ride and the location. Why don't we start with the town of Silverton? Where are you at and what's the town like?

SPEAKER_01 0:57

So Silverton is a small town um in the San Juan Mountains, which is the southwestern corner of Colorado. And we're located about uh in between Durango and Uray, near Telluride, about an hour from Durango, 45 minutes from Uray. Telluride's just on the other side of Uray. So high in the mountains there, about 9,300 feet. Of course, we climb up from there. It's a small western town, lots of history. It's it's a neat spot. We love it.

SPEAKER_00 1:23

Now you can drive to Silverton, but I think you can also take the train, which I think is a pretty cool option. What's that like and where does that start?

SPEAKER_01 1:31

So the Durango Silverton narrow gauge train starts in Durango and it um and it goes through the mountains along the river there all the way up to Silverton. It's about a three-hour ride. So this summer we actually just solidified the contract. We're actually doing a package with the train, which will include a two-hour ride to AnimaSports. Very cool. Very cool. We're really excited about it. It's been a long time coming. We've worked with the train for our winter tour, snowmobile tours for a long time, maybe 12 or 14 years in that range. And finally we've got the summer package put together, and that'll be launching in June.

SPEAKER_00 2:07

Now, with this combo deal you got going on, do you get to play train conductor? Do you wear the hat? Do you get to drive? Wouldn't that be fun? Yeah, would that be awesome? I think it's gonna keep me busy where I'm at, honestly. On top of all that, you've got maybe one of the coolest mountain towns in the country, just a half an hour away. You mentioned the town of Uray. They call it the Switzerland of the U.S. How cool is that place?

SPEAKER_01 2:31

It's beautiful. It's kind of one of the sister towns. There's kind of three, what we call the Tri-County area, um, and it's one of the three Silverton Uray in Lake City. So, you know, it mirrors Silverton a lot. Um, it's it's gorgeous, it's high peaks and big river through town and the whole deal.

SPEAKER_00 2:50

I encourage anyone to just uh do a little Google image of either Silverton or Uray. That'll sell you right there. Yeah, for sure. All right, so now we've got you to Silverton, either driving or Eric, you know, conducting the train at this point in time. You're ready to ride. Let's start small and work our way up to the full alpine loop. What option do you guys offer?

SPEAKER_01 3:11

So we uh we offer quite a few options. We offer rentals and guided tours, and we have a list of curated guided tours that are a little bit more directed at the history of the area and some interpretive stuff that people seem to really enjoy. And then, of course, we have our straight rentals, the most popular being the Alpine Loop, but we do have shorter options, the uh two hours becoming really popular. And um, it comes from our location out to the old ghost town of Animus Forks, which is beautiful. You've been there, it's a neat spot, lots of lots of history, and the old buildings are still there. It's it's a neat place. And so if you're looking for just a quick taste, if folks are looking for just, you know, we're we're we've got off the train or we're just passing through, we just want to see the area, that's a really good option.

SPEAKER_00 3:59

That town of Animus Forks, the buildings aren't just there. You can kind of get up close and personal, and I think, can you still go inside of some of them?

SPEAKER_01 4:07

Yeah, you can go inside all of them. And the historical society in town has done a lot of work out there, so they're staying in really good shape despite the increased number of visitors that they've seen over the year. It's a neat spot. So, yeah, so that's a really popular trip. Um growing in popularity. We also offer our half day, which is a nice loop that goes out to Animus Forks and then up and over a couple mountain passes, California Pass and Hurricane Pass. So that's a good option for that middle of the road. And then, of course, if you want to do the whole enchilada, the Alpine Loop, all the way out to Lake City. Again, you'll go through Animus Forks and go over Cinnamon Pass, past Lake San Cristobal, all the way out to the little town of Lake City, where it's a great place to stop for lunch. There's a great barbecue place there. There's a good little ice cream parlor we always stop at. My kids like to stop at the ice cream parlor. And then back over Engineer Pass. So it's an 80-something mile loop. So it's a full day, but it's it's one of the premier trails in the state. What makes that experience so amazing? Whew, that's a good question. Well, I mean, I do think the length, you know, if you you're way out there and you're climbing, you're climbing these passes. Engineer Pass tops out at just under 13,000 feet. So there's a lot of people, there's a lot of people in the world who who don't often see those kinds of elevations and those kinds of views. So the views are really what it's all about. The riding is great, of course, but the views and the history of the area, it's it's just unmatched.

SPEAKER_00 5:41

I think it's hard to really describe until you get up there, but you're riding on the crest of those, some of those mountaintops. Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:49

Yeah, way up above tree line. It's it's wild. And those trails, you know, they're old. You know, these are old mining roads that connected these communities and they're way up there. Neat, it's a neat ride.

SPEAKER_00 6:01

You know, here in Minnesota or the Midwest, some other places, you kind of in your mind would know, well, we're gonna go on a forested trail ride. All right, I know what that's gonna look like. Maybe I come across some remote lakes out in the middle of nowhere. That's great, and that's awesome. But when you can get up high, like you're saying, 13,000 feet, maybe you've never even been on top of any mountain in your entire life. What are some of the reactions from the people when they get back to that experience?

SPEAKER_01 6:27

Yeah, uh it's a lot of people are just awestruck, especially, you know, people who are, you know, from the Midwest or back east or something, you know. I mean, the Rocky Mountains, whether what part of the Rockies you're in, and and I would argue the San Juan's are some of the prettiest in in the West. But, you know, I mean, they are jaw-dropping. They are impressive. It's everything, you know, people come out and say, like, oh my gosh. I mean, I've listened to John Denver and I've seen photos, but like, this is this is for and you're like, oh yeah, man, and they just keep going and they go and they go and they go. So yeah, it's it's it's beautiful, and there's just a lot to see out there. So, of course, the views, you know, wildflower season is super popular, and that's kind of July, August, after the rains kick in. Um, and then the fall, the leaves change in color, the leaf season is really popular these days. Um, you know, waterfalls and creek crossings and wildlife and the whole deal.

SPEAKER_00 7:23

Do you have a favorite part of any of that ride that you're just and I love it every time I'm in this one location? Yeah. And it's okay if it's the ice cream spot too. That's all right.

SPEAKER_01 7:33

You know, it's funny. It changes for me. Years ago when you were out, I told you that Kite Lake was my favorite spot. And it was, and it was. And now last year I did a ride with my kids, and we did a hike down to gosh, what's the name? To Whitmore, Whitmore Falls Waterfall. It's a short hike. I mean, I've got little younger kids. It was a quick little hike down there, but oh my gosh, we sat down there for 45 minutes. I was like, all right, this is my new favorite spot. You know, for me it changes. There's always something, and it wasn't the first time I had been to that waterfall, but it was the first time I'd been there with the kids, and we stayed as long as we did. And I was like, this place is just the coolest, man. And so yeah, it changes for me um year to year, depending on what we're doing and what we saw this year. It's and the trails always changing too. So, you know, that that affects it as well, you know. And on a really good wildflower year, American Basin's my favorite. You know, it's it's an easy drive in there, it's off the top of cinnamon, and and when the wildflowers are good in there, they are good. Is the whole ride above 10 so just about, yeah. I mean, Silverton's 9,300 feet, 9,600 feet right in there. So just about everything. I mean, yeah, Lake City drops below, um, I think it's right at 9,000 feet somewhere right in there. So yeah, you climb up to that 10,000 plus mark pretty quick.

SPEAKER_00 8:53

And because of that such a high elevation, uh, I mentioned it because you need to know to be prepared. The weather can be tricky. You've got rain, wind, sun, cold, and maybe even snow all on the same day. For sure.

SPEAKER_01 9:08

Yeah, it it can happen. Um, it doesn't happen all that often, snow in July and August, June, July, August, but certainly, you know, late August into September, October, like you can catch snow up there and and the weather does change fast in the mountains. So it's something to be aware of. I tell people when they're in town, just dress comfortably, dress how you go, and then take an extra sweater and a raincoat for everyone. You know, it's always just a good idea. And when you are above tree line, when you are up above, say, 11,000 feet, which you will be multiple times throughout that day, you know, there's always a little bit of bite to the wind up there. I don't care what time of year it is. It's just there's always a chill. And they're those are some of the most popular places to stop and take photos and chit-chat, have a picnic, whatever. So take a sweater, take a raincoat.

SPEAKER_00 9:57

Speaking of from experience, we were there in August and we got pelted with freezing rain. I'm sure. So, you know, and 10 minutes later, I'm peeling off later. I'm like, oh, it's so hot.

SPEAKER_01 10:08

It changes fast up there.

SPEAKER_00 10:09

So it does, it does. I remember also we were there for two days and we're there in August, but your window is sort of tight, I want to say, because of the seasonality and the elevation.

SPEAKER_01 10:21

Yeah. Well, it's just so weather dependent, yeah, because of the elevation. So, you know, we had a pretty weak winter this year. So we were thinking we were gonna get a nice early opening, and we're still not open because the weather came in in April and snowed for feet of snow, and then, you know, so it just depends. We generally operate June, July, August, September, and then into October, first major snowfall, generally middle of October. Historically speaking, the kids in town trick-or-treat in snow.

SPEAKER_00 10:51

With that elevation, Eric, and and those riding those the crests of those mountains. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but I feel like you need to pay a little extra attention when you're doing some of these rides. Is that right? Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 11:04

I mean, I mean, the the riding is not the most technical or challenging, I would say. You know, I mean, there's certainly tougher rides around, but it's appropriate for first timers, but it can be high consequence. You know, for one thing, the remote nature of it all and being up on those shelf roads, it it is committing. And and so, yeah, we I would argue it's a good place to pay attention.

SPEAKER_00 11:26

Can you do the alpine loop in one day? I know you can, but do you kind of need to hustle a little bit to get it all done? No, no, not at all.

SPEAKER_01 11:35

Not at all. Um, like I said, that's our most popular, that's our most popular tour. Um, and it's totally doable. And you know, we give everyone nine hours in a full-day rent hole. You know, you pick up at eight, drop off at five. Um, but it doesn't require that much. I mean, even with multiple long stops and you know, lunch in Lake City, it's gonna take you six, seven hours probably. Fair enough. Fair enough. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Well, that's your summer season, but of course, you're up in the mountains. Winter does show up often. What is the snowmobiling like in Silverton during the winter time?

SPEAKER_01 12:08

So the snowmobiling is super popular in town. Um, it's it's one of the snowmobile locations in the state. And it's why I originally got involved in this business. I mean, my true heart, my true passion is in snowmobiling. So we operate on Mollus Pass, which is a very large riding area and has we really enjoy it because it has different types of riding for different types of riders. Like it does have, you know, nice mellow groom trails. We do two-hour, three-hour, and full-day trips for families and that kind of thing. And then we also have our backcountry trips, which allows us on the arm case to push back out further, deeper snow, and and and we have a lot of that good riding there too. So it's it's just got a little bit of everything. And so it's it's a really cool area.

SPEAKER_00 12:57

Very nice. So you've got Rock Pirates Silverton, then you've got Ice Pirates in the wintertime. And of course, if you want to escape the mountains and head south, you've got Rock Pirates Baja down near Cabo San Lucas. I've also been to that location. I feel like I'm bragging a little bit here. That's completely different from Silverton. Tell me about it.

SPEAKER_01 13:16

Yeah, um it's located in the little town of Toto Santos, which is about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas. Beautiful little town, one of the magical towns that they get the designation for. Um desert riding, and linking, we're able to link some of the different communities around our full day down there. It goes to the little town of El Triomfo, which is a beautiful little place that's seeing new life in it. Um, so yeah, coastal rides and desert rides, mountain rides, crossing the peninsula back and forth. I mean, it's been a lot of fun over the last three, four years that I've been down there operating, just exploring those roads down there. I mean, there's just so much. It's a lifetime of trails and things to see.

SPEAKER_00 14:02

So it's it's been a lot of fun. The views from the edge of the cliff right near your place overlooking the ocean are just spectacular. Breathtaking. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:11

Yeah, yeah. You know, and and the the the area down there, it really fit our model. You know, it's always been my opinion. Rock pirates, you know, we love horsepower, we love the machines. That's a big part of what we do, right? But really, you know, we're a destination-oriented operation. It's about where we're going, whether it's the waterfall or the little town or over here for lunch or wherever it is. And the Baja Trails have really lent that in and with the cliffed overlooks and El Triumfo and all these communities. And so it's been it's allowed us to keep that destination model that has really worked well and I'm really proud of.

SPEAKER_00 14:51

I'm down at Cabo for spring break. I don't have a rental car. How do I how do I get to where you're at?

SPEAKER_01 14:56

You just gotta call us. We don't do shuttles, it's complicated to say the least in Mexico. But we work with a local company. Uh we work with several local companies, actually. So that's that's a common question we get. So we can we can arrange everything. We'll pick you up at the resort, you know, you come for a ride, and then, you know, a lot of times people want to walk around Todos and have lunch or whatever it is, and and then the drivers will take you back.

SPEAKER_00 15:22

Full day, half day, what should I know? Where should I go?

SPEAKER_01 15:26

Yeah. So again, everything can be done guided or unguided down there. The two hour is we've got a two-hour, a four-hour, and our full day. The full day is out to El Triunfo. The half day, the four hour is a trail we call the El Cuyote Trail. It was part of the El Cuyote race course years ago, and so we adopted that name for it. It's a cool trail. It's probably my favorite trail down there. And then the two hours, again, that quick, you know, we're here in town, and and and it gets you up to that cliff overlook up there, Punto Lobos, and um, it's beautiful, and so that's been a really popular trip.

SPEAKER_00 16:04

You catch an Eric's uh fluent Spanish going on right there?

SPEAKER_01 16:08

Yeah, no. I'm working on it, I'm working on it.

SPEAKER_00 16:12

Now, what about staying around that area? Maybe I don't want all the crowds of Cabo and all that jazz. Is that an option?

SPEAKER_01 16:18

Absolutely. Yeah, I I personally haven't stayed in Cabo in years at this point because because Todos is such a nice town. Um, and just just south of town is a beach community. There's Tuscadero and the little beach area of Cerritos. That's usually where we stay. It's it's good surfing, it's good, it's good family beach, good swim beach, and so and it's real close to Todos. So that's generally what we say. There's lots of hotels and condos and Airbnb's and the whole deal.

SPEAKER_00 16:48

Very cool. Most important question of all the questions I've asked today, Eric, where can I find the best place to get tacos? Well, it depends on which kind of tacos.

SPEAKER_01 16:58

Um down there. I I like the fish tacos. And the best fish taco place is a place called the Barracuda. It's right on the beach. Excellent fish and shrimp tacos, great ceviche and agua chiles, and it's right there in Cerritos. Uh it's excellent.

SPEAKER_00 17:12

Speaking my language now. Well, from the mountains to Mexico, if you want to do some of the best rides in the country and south of the border, Rock Pirates and Ice Pirates has you covered. Eric, thanks so much for being on the show today, and I look forward to visiting your places again, hopefully in the near future. Great. Thanks for having me. Absolutely. Be sure to like and follow the Polaris Adventures podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, and we will talk to you again soon. Remember, you belong out here.