Silver Lake, a ghost town nestled in the San Juan Mountains, was once a bustling mining town in the late 1800s. Its discovery was fueled by rumors of the rich minerals in the Arrastra Basin, attracting groups of explorers who staked their claims and brought others to the area. The town grew rapidly with the construction of new mines and boarding houses for workers. One of the boarding houses was considered the best in the country, offering modern amenities like a barbershop, library, and a sewer system. However, disasters like fires and avalanches, along with a recession, led to the decline of Silver Lake. Today, only a few dilapidated structures and mining equipment remain.