Rafting the Lower Blue through Silverthorne
Spend your summers on the Lower Blue!
Silverthorne, Colorado – the gateway to Summit County! Silverthorne is the first thing visitors see once they come through the Eisenhower Tunnel from Denver. After passing through the tunnel on I-70, travelers wind down the hill towards Silverthorne, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Gore Range and the Silverthorne valley. Beyond Silverthorne lies Lake Dillon, Frisco, and the beginning of the Ten Mile Range.
From ranches to second homes, Silverthorne has a bit of everything. The town of Silverthorne resides on a late 1800s mining claim and was historically a ranching town, until the construction of Lake Dillon and growth of nearby towns like Dillon and Frisco. The reservoir changed Silverthorne into a terrific summer resort area, complete with a variety of outdoor activities and an even wider variety of mountain real estate.
Silverthorne was incorporated in the 1960s and has grown along with Summit County’s tourist industry throughout the years. With plenty to do in both winter and summer, Silverthorne’s real estate has expanded as well to accommodate all of the visitors to the county. In addition to a 62,000 sq. ft. recreation center, the town boasts a spectacular golf course, many, many bike paths, an outlet mall, and several other shops and restaurants. Silverthorne’s Factory Outlets include over 60 of your favorite stores like Nike, Polo, Banana Republic, Adidas, Eddie Bauer, Pac Sun, and Coach.
Mountains surrounding Silverthorne include the Gore Range, a Wildernest area above the town to the west and Ptarmigan Mountain to the east. Silverthorne also has views of Buffalo Mountain, a uniquely shaped rounded mountaintop, and the Ten Mile Range, which begins in Frisco and runs all the way to Breckenridge. Much of the resort real estate in Silverthorne features tremendous views of the mountains coupled with convenient locations close to all of the town’s amenities.
Buffalo Mountain
The Blue River flows from south of Breckenridge, through Silverthorne and continues north of town. The Blue is known by anglers far and wide as a Gold Medal Trout stream, nestled in the Silverthorne valley floor. Many trout hang out in the river just below the Dillon Dam, which was built to create the reservoir years ago. Fly fishing and lure fishing are very popular along the river, as well as rafting, kayaking, and hiking.
As you travel north through Silverthorne, the valley opens up to breathtaking views of the mountains and gorgeous mountain estates on 10-20 acres and more. Further down the valley, there are still plenty of the large working ranches Colorado is known for. Eventually, the river will take you to Green Mountain Reservoir, a popular locals spot for camping, four wheeling, and water sports.
Ranch life N. of Silverthorne
Many homeowners choose the Silverthorne valley for its warmer temperatures, relative to other areas in the county, as well as its close proximity to all Summit County has to offer. All of Summit’s ski resorts – Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Copper Mountain – are only about 20 minutes max from Silverthorne. It’s no wonder so many locals and second home owners choose Silverthorne as their place to purchase a mountain property!
Do you have any questions about the local towns or real estate so far?