{"id":52257,"date":"2020-08-08T19:03:07","date_gmt":"2020-08-09T01:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/silverton-enters-uncharted-territory-with-no-dsng-trains-this-summer\/"},"modified":"2020-08-09T01:03:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-09T01:03:07","slug":"silverton-enters-uncharted-territory-with-no-dsng-trains-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/silverton-enters-uncharted-territory-with-no-dsng-trains-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Silverton enters uncharted territory with no D&SNG trains this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Although
Although the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is not running full trips to Silverton, tourists are still finding their way into town, lured by the vast outdoors and public lands.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

SILVERTON \u2013 Over the years, Silverton has weathered many a storm \u2013 fires, avalanches, the collapse of mining \u2013 but never before has the small mountain town been without the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for an entire summer.<\/p>\n

Until this year.<\/p>\n

The train usually ferries hundreds of tourists per day to this mountain town. Many stop for lunch, a drink, ice cream and perhaps a small souvenir. The tourists are the economic lifeblood of this historic mining town, and the train is the heart that pumps them into the community.<\/p>\n

Many wondered what would happen to Silverton if the train couldn\u2019t make its three or four runs per day this summer. But as it turns out, Silverton is doing just fine, all things considered. Stores are packed, the sidewalks are crowded, and the backcountry is at capacity.<\/p>\n

So what happened?<\/p>\n

Tourists are finding their own way to Silverton, locals say, many experiencing cabin fever after sheltering in place during the spring wave of the coronavirus. And what better place to vacation while maintaining social distancing than a remote mountain town tucked away into the San Juan Mountains?<\/p>\n

John Harper, general manager of American Heritage Railways, which owns the D&SNG, said the railroad in the past has been shut down for a few days or even weeks at a time, typically if there\u2019s a fire or rains wash out a portion of track.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this is the first time to my knowledge the railroad will be unable to operate all the way to Silverton for the season,\u201d Harper said.<\/p>\n

The D&SNG first reached Silverton on July 10, 1882, and ever since, the railroad\u2019s arrival has been a welcome sight in the summer months. But several unfortunate forces have resulted in this historic moment.<\/p>\n

First, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the D&SNG earlier this year. When regulations were relaxed, the railroad was able to operate at only 50% capacity, making it financially unfeasible to make the full Durango to Silverton trip<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Then, a massive rainstorm in June washed out the D&SNG\u2019s bridge at Elk Creek<\/a>, about 5 miles south of Silverton, effectively cutting off trains from the mountain hamlet.<\/p>\n

\"With
With the influx of visitors in the backcountry, the U.S. Forest Service is receiving more reports of trash, human waste, illegal off-roading and illegal camping.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

D&SNG officials had estimated it could take eight to 16 weeks to repair. To complicate matters, the U.S. Forest Service on July 2 ordered the railroad to stop any repair work<\/a>, saying plans needed to first be approved by the agency.<\/p>\n

As of July 27, the D&SNG has been given the green light to go ahead with repairs, but there\u2019s no telling when the 40 feet or so of track will be up and running again, Harper said.<\/p>\n

Though the train is not shepherding thousands of tourists to Silverton this year, walking around town, one would hardly know it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been as packed on some days as if there were a train rush,\u201d said Scott Fetchenheir, a San Juan County commissioner who also owns Fetch\u2019s Mining & Mercantile on Greene Street.<\/p>\n

\"Amaris
Amaris Hamilton assists a customer at Fetch&#x2019;s Mining & Mercantile on Greene Street in Silverton. Owner Scott Fetchenheir said business has been strong so far this summer, but he is concerned about what happens when visitation drops off later in the summer.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
No train, no problem<\/div>\n

Silverton, about 50 miles north of Durango, is a highly tourist-dependent economy, and the lion\u2019s share of business occurs in the short summer months for the town, which sits at an elevation of 9,318 feet and has a population of about 600 residents.<\/p>\n

Most tourists find their way to the mountain town via the D&SNG, which brings an economic jolt of about 187,000 people to town throughout the summer for a few hours in the afternoon before heading back to Durango.<\/p>\n

DeAnne Gallegos, director of the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce, said most business owners were bracing for drastic losses, with some estimates expecting sales down about 50% to 60% from an average summer.<\/p>\n

But something unexpected happened. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, people wanting a summer vacation aren\u2019t necessarily flying to popular destinations or traveling to cities.<\/p>\n

Instead, people feeling cooped up after months of lockdown want to take to the road, be in the outdoors and see America\u2019s beautiful landscapes. In sum, just about everything Silverton has to offer, Gallegos said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, town is bustling,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re definitely still down, but not as drastic as we anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Struggles still surface<\/div>\n

Silverton\u2019s summer, however, needs to be put in perspective, Gallegos said.<\/p>\n

Though tourism remains strong, occupancy rates are limiting for restaurants. Available workforce is in short supply, forcing some businesses to stay closed or shorten hours. And the food supply chain is still disrupted for the town.<\/p>\n

Austin Lashley, co-owner of Avalanche Brewing Co., said suspended work visas have effectively cut his usual staff of 15 in half, causing remaining employees to work long hours with few days off, if any.<\/p>\n

\u201cStaffing is the No. 1 issue we have in Silverton anyway,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I\u2019m glad people are here, it\u2019s way busier than I expected. The alternative is pretty grim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fetchenheir, too, said there\u2019s a steady stream of customers in his shop. But even in a typical summer with the D&SNG running, business tends to drop off around mid-August.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople just want to get out of their house after being locked down,\u201d he said. \u201cBut what will happen in September?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Scott
Scott Fetchenheir, a San Juan County commissioner who also owns Fetch&#x2019;s Mining & Mercantile on Greene Street in Silverton, said many businesses are doing well despite the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad being shut down.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Backcountry taking a beating<\/div>\n

More people are finding Silverton this summer, but it\u2019s not without consequences. James Simino, the Forest Service\u2019s Columbine district ranger, said the backcountry of the San Juan Mountains is taking a beating.<\/p>\n

The influx of visitors, many of whom may not be familiar with wilderness ethics, has caused a dramatic increase in reports of trash, human waste, illegal off-roading and illegal camping in the backcountry.<\/p>\n

The Forest Service has limited staff to enforce the rules, Simino said, and even so, it would be incredibly difficult to cover the vast public lands that surround Silverton and catch people in the act.<\/p>\n

The Forest Service instead tries to educate when it can.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut some people, no matter what you tell them, are going to do what they are going to do,\u201d Simino said. \u201cYou can lead a horse to water, but you can\u2019t make them drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Christy
Christy Garrou, with the San Juan National Forest, recently headed a volunteer station at the popular Ice Lakes Trailhead near Silverton to educate visitors about best practices in the backcountry.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

A volunteer station was set up at the popular Ice Lakes trail, which easily has more than 100 cars parked at the trailhead every day, spilling out onto the county road, said Brent Schoradt, director of the San Juan Mountains Association.<\/p>\n

On one popular day, more than 300 cars were counted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been trying to have more of a presence at the trailheads,\u201d Schoradt said.<\/p>\n

But Schoradt said the association needs more volunteers to help in the effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are coming here specifically to visit public lands, and if we don\u2019t step up and do our part to protect them, over the long term, it will have a negative effect,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"People
People are visiting the backcountry in extreme numbers, with cars spilling out onto the county road near the Ice Lakes Trailhead.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Making a move<\/div>\n

In some instances, people aren\u2019t just coming to visit Silverton \u2013 they\u2019re making moves for a long-term stay, said Melissa Childs, a real estate agent and owner of Stellar Properties.<\/p>\n

\u201cReal estate is blowing up,\u201d Childs said.<\/p>\n

Normally, a house for sale would stay on the market for about 300 days before closing, Childs said. This summer, however, the norm is less than 30 days, with many properties closing within a day or two.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think COVID is definitely a factor,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone wants to live in a rural mountainous area.\u201d<\/p>\n

People are moving to Silverton from all over \u2013 Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma. While many are purchasing second homes, Childs is seeing more families wanting to permanently relocate.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore people want to be part of our community,\u201d Childs said. \u201cBut I call Silverton a filter for the weak, because people can be idealistic of what living here is like. It\u2019s difficult to live here, a snow shovel better fit your hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Despite
Despite a massive influx of visitors, Silverton residents have not seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, with health director Becky Joyce attributing the success to mask wearing, social distancing and no large gatherings.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
COVID-19 remains low<\/div>\n

Despite the massive visitation in Silverton, the county is reporting only two cases. The last person to test positive back in June wasn\u2019t even in town at the time, said Becky Joyce, San Juan County Public Health director.<\/p>\n

\"Becky
Becky Joyce, San Juan County Public Health director, said she is grateful for a statewide mandate requiring people to wear masks.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Joyce said a couple of tourists in town did test positive for COVID-19, and it\u2019s possible other residents had the virus and chose not to go in for testing.<\/p>\n

But, Joyce said people wearing masks, not gathering in large numbers and a state order that cuts off alcohol sales at 10 p.m. seems to be working.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is alarming the volume of people on our streets \u2026 who are packing into restaurants and places, and I\u2019m just very grateful \u2026 the state came in with the mask order,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we\u2019re just holding our breath, honestly. At least I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silverton took some of the most extreme measures in the state<\/a> at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, going so far as to shut the town off to outsiders.<\/p>\n

But slowly, the town began to open its doors, trying to strike a balance between welcoming tourism and keeping its community safe. Now, while the nostalgic sound of the D&SNG isn\u2019t heard throughout town this summer, the buzz of visitors still is.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a huge combination of disasters that\u2019s keeping the train from coming up,\u201d Fetchenheir said. \u201cBut we\u2019re doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

jromeo@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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