Originally Posted by
StubbleJumper
I'll add on my vote for Breckenridge. It's a full-service trail town with easy bus service right from the trailhead.
Twin Lakes was a better stop than I had expected; in 2011 the Inn was closed for repairs and the corner store was not well-suited to hikers, but when I went through in 2014, the store had a nice selection of products for long distance hikers and the Inn proved to be a great place to spend the night (something like $70 or $75/night) and drink a few beers.
Finally, while Lake City receives a great many accolades (perhaps correctly), I would be remiss if I failed to report that Gunnison is a nice little town for a zero. It's a full service town with a couple of grocery stores and a WalMart, a decent main drag with a nice selection of restaurants and pubs, and modestly priced accommodations. I was the fortunate beneficiary of a ride from Bill Apple to and from Gunny (thanks again, Apple!), so logistics were quite simple for me.
Silverton is a bit too touristy for my liking, but it does the job. Accommodations are modestly priced, re-supply selection is limited and prices high, and the bars/restaurants cater mainly to the throngs of tourists that descend upon the town rather than serving mainly locals. It's an okay place to re-supply, but I liked the other towns better.
SJ