Ice Lakes Trail fits Silverton's blunt mountain character: high, weathered, and tied to the mining roads that cut through the San Juans. It is not a place to rush, especially when altitude, snow, or rough roads are involved.
Check conditions before you go. Many routes and tours are seasonal, and afternoon storms can make exposed passes and high trails unpleasant or dangerous. Silverton rewards travelers who start early, carry layers, and leave the landscape cleaner than they found it.