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South Mineral Campground is accessed by turning off U.S. Highway 550, about 3
miles west of Silverton, onto Forest Rd. 585, which heads west along South Mineral
Creek. The campground is 4 miles off the highway and has 26 mostly level sites.
Several camping loops and well-spaced sites are mostly shaded, but some are sunny.
A few are next to the creek, and some have large parking areas.
The Ice Lake Basin Trail, a strenuous, steep, and popular hike, begins across the
road from the campground. It leads up above timberline to high alpine lakes surrounded
by meadows of wildflowers and rocky peaks. Please stay on the trail to avoid
steep, dangerous dropoffs.
Dispersed camping along Forest Rd. 585 is allowed only in designated camping
areas. Follow posted directions and instructions. The road to the campground is
driveable by 2WD, but not far after the campground, it becomes 4WD. Driving offroad
is prohibited, but many other 4WD roads in the Silverton area are open to motorized
use.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
ANDREWS LAKE RECREATIONAL AREA is accessed about 1/2 mile east of U.S. Highway 550 via a paved
road just south of the top of Molas Pass. (In winter, the road is gated to traffic and
open for nonmotorized winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.)
Overnight parking for vehicles
and horse trailers using Wilderness trails is allowed, but no overnight camping. Four barrier-free picnic sites and interpretive signs are next to the upper parking lot.
Barrier-free fishing docks line the south edge. The Crater Lake Trail begins here, popular for trips into the
Weminuche Wilderness.
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