tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70432477268942872482024-03-14T02:36:05.042-07:00Four Corners Hikes-TellurideTrails in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride, CO, Lizard Head Pass, and around north section of the San Juan Skyway. Includes Navajo Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, Engineer Mountain, the Galloping Goose rail road trail Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and more. Notes and Pictures. Hike for fitness and to experience the environment.Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-65309179718610530862012-08-30T15:50:00.002-07:002012-08-31T17:22:18.354-07:00Blue Lakes Trail at Dallas Creek Road <br />
The <b>Blue Lakes Trail</b> leads 3.3 miles to Lower Blue Lake in the Sneffels Wilderness of the Uncompahgre National Forest in southwest Colorado. Dallas Creek Road (or East Dallas Road) is a south turn from Colorado Route 62 a few miles west of Ridgway. It is about 9 miles on gravel County and Forest Roads to the west trailhead.<br />
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The trailhead elevation is 9400 feet and Lower Blue Lake is at 10,950 feet. This is also a trailhead for the Blaine Basin Trail and there is also a segment of Dallas Trail that arrives here from the west. The Blue Lakes Trail continues past the Lower Lake to Blue Lakes Pass and across to an east side trailhead. In the trailhead register box there is this good sketch of the area trails.
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The initial segment of trail climbs steadily for about 2 miles through thick spruce, fir, and aspen forest. In a few places there are glimpses of the mountains that lie to the east. It took me about 1:00 hour to reach the marked boundary of the <b>Sneffels Wilderness</b>. About 0:15 minutes past the wilderness boundary there is a small creek crossing that will get the bottom of your shoes wet.<br />
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After the creek crossing the views open up as the trail continues to climb. This view is to the west as the trail switchbacks.
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I think the views to the east include <b>Mt. Sneffels at 14,150 feet</b>. The whole route heads into a basin that is surrounded by towering peaks. There are also distant views of mountains far to the north and the drainage of Dallas Creek.<br />
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As the trail gets closer to the Lower Blue Lake there are two <b>waterfalls</b> as Dallas Creek drains from the lakes. The Dallas Creek appears to carry water draining from all three of the Blue Lakes.
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It took me 2:00 hours to arrive at <b>Lower Blue Lake</b>. A trail sign at the lake says it is 2.5 more miles to Blue Lakes Pass at 13,000 feet. There is a Middle Lake and Upper Lake along the way. Most day hikers probably turn around at the Lower Blue Lake.<br />
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My return downhill hike took 1:30 hours for a total hike of 4:00 hours for 6.6 miles. By 3:00 PM clouds were starting to build but I didn’t get caught in any rain.<br />
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I saw 16 other hikers during my hike. It was about 65 F degrees on a late August day and I carried and drank 3 liters of water. The lake area was slightly cooler than the trailhead but I didn't need to add a layer. The drive along Highway 62 to the west passes over an area called the <b>Dallas Divide</b> and has some spectacular views of these mountains, but there isn't an organized view point or interpretive sign that I noticed.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1593511280&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00281TSXE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0943727154&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930193076&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-65426829341194886412012-08-22T06:50:00.001-07:002012-08-22T06:50:38.407-07:00Galloping Goose Trail in South Fork Valley <br />
The <b>Galloping Goose Trail</b> is a 21 mile route traveling from Lizard Head Pass to Telluride. It mostly follows the old rail bed of the historic train that served the southwest Colorado mountain area until the early 1950s.<br />
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The middle segments of the trail can be accessed near where the trail passes under Highway 145 through a tunnel There are several pull over places in the vicinity of the Ophir Road junction with Highway 145 a few miles south of Telluride.<br />
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An unmarked forest road a few hundred yards south of the Ophir Road connects to the trail and it is also possible to start at the east side of the tunnel. From this starting area it is 3.5 miles to Sunshine Road, where the route then continues on County Roads. In this area the jagged Ophir Needles towers overhead.<br />
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A short distance from this starting point there is an interpretive sign for the Silver Bell Tailings Impoundment, a cleanup project to protect the water resources. There are also views of the large pipes carrying high pressure water flow from Trout Lake and Hope Lake to energize the Ames power plant.<br />
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One of the streams that contribute to the South Fork of the San Miguel River and eventually the San Miguel River has a<b> waterfall </b>that is easily viewed.<br />
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There is a good foot bridge to get across this stream. In the vicinity of the bridge there are piles of very large old timbers, perhaps the materials of one of the many trestles that were needed by the Galloping Goose.<br />
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The old rail bed is hung along the side of this canyon and the views along this section are probably the most spectacular of the whole 21 mile route. To the west is a sheer vertical wall of stone towering over a large scree slope.<br />
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To the east is the intense green of the river valley with the dozen or so homes of the village of Ames lying below the Ophir Needles. The forest in this area is mostly Aspens and Spruce Fir Forest. In the valley below there is a <b>Nature Conservancy Preserve</b> with short trails and beaver dams visible.
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This segment of the trail has several sections where the old <b>rail ties</b> seem to be still in place. There are also stacks of old ties along the trail.<br />
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Besides the many rail road ties and several poles that look like telegraph lines, there is a site that appears to be a <b>water tank site</b>. There are several lengths of old metal pipe and some masonry work.<br />
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The last mile of this 3.5 mile segment has several creeks to cross. In spring, these creeks may be running full and more, overflowing their banks and using the trail as a channel for a short section. The largest of these creeks appears to be located at a ruined trestle site as there are many collapsed timbers piled up along the steep slopes of the wide drainage area.<br />
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It is possible to detour down into Ames to see the somewhat<b> famous power plant</b>. This is the site of the world’s first alternating current power plant, the type of power that we all use now. The power from this plant was originally used at the nearby mining sites.<br />
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There are two water sources, Trout Lake and Hope Lake, both good hiking areas. The information I found about the plant output is 115,000 volts, and 3.75 megawatts, enough power for a town of 4000. From the power plant I hiked up the county roads back to my starting point.<br />
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My total hike time for about 7.0 miles was 3:15 hours. I hiked on a 70 F degree late August day and carried 3 liters of water. I saw 2 other hikers and 11 mountain bike riders during my hike.<br />
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Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-37363382323593838692012-08-07T09:24:00.000-07:002012-08-12T11:33:55.583-07:00Groundhog Stock Trail-West Trailhead<br />
The western segment of the <b>Groundhog Stock Trail </b>travels west from the Navajo Lake Trailhead for about 4.3 miles in the Lizard Head Wilderness in southwest Colorado. The west end trailhead is 2.3 miles west of the junction of the West Dolores Forest Road 535 and Forest Road 611. The trailhead elevation is about 9640 feet.<br />
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The west trailhead area is marked but there isn’t a developed parking area. There is an eastern segment of the Groundhog Stock Trail that has an eastern trailhead at the Cross Mountain Trailhead south of Lizard Head Pass. That 5 mile segment connects with Forest Road 535 at the scenic Meadows.
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The first segment of trail passes through meadows with view of 12,340 ft. Elliot Mountain to the left and 12, 308 ft Sockrider Peak to the right. With binoculars the Calico Trail is visible along the flank of Elliot Mountain. This western end of the Groundhog Trail is dominated by wide meadows with the trail being somewhat vague. After about 0.75 miles, there are signs marking the Lizard Head Wilderness boundary.<br />
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After crossing more meadow there is a crossing of <b>Cold Creek</b>. In early August, this was an easy crossing. I saw many birds along this trail including a Red Tailed Hawk and a Golden Eagle. There were also many swallows and woodpeckers.
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Climbing out of the Cold Creek valley, there are good views of 13,290 ft. <b>Dolores Peak</b> to the right, the creatively named <b>Middle Peak</b> at 13,261 ft. and <b>Dunn Peak</b> to the left at 12,595 feet.<br />
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The trail is very vague crossing this large meadow. The maps show that the trail runs north parallel to Cold Creek, so it is helpful to carry a map and compass. The route is directly toward Dolores Peak. At the end of the meadow, the trail becomes more distinct at it enters a forest segment.
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The forest segment climbs steeply and turns east, eventually arriving at more meadows with more spectacular views. Looking to the northeast,<b> El Diente,</b> the big tooth stands out at 14,159 feet. The route of the <b>Navajo</b> <b>Lake Trail </b>is visible along with a glance into the Navajo Lake Basin. The peaks behind El Diente don’t seem to have names but are about 12,800 feet.<br />
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I stopped after 2:00 hours and 2.7 miles at a hilltop that has a wooden marker with a cow skull attached.. The trail is vague through this meadow but continues on the north side of this hilltop and starts to descend down toward the junction with the Navajo Lake Trail. Before reaching the Navajo Lake Trail there is a junction with the Burro Bridge Trail that begins at the Burro Bridge Campground.<br />
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The Burro Bridge Trail is relatively new and doesn’t appear on all the maps. This hilltop is at about 10,500 feet and is one of the best view points in the Lizard Head area that is along a trail.
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From the same hilltop, there are higher angle views back toward Dolores Peak and Dunn Peak. My return hike took 1:30 hours for a total hike of 3:30 hours for about 5.4 miles. I carried and drank 3 liters of water on a 65 F early August day. I didn’t see any other hikers or horse riders during my hike.<br />
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.286;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=81196WC;usg=AFHzDLvat32FGq-OhzpyPDsXc3OhF_BBSA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsilva-explorer-type-3-compass.shtml;pubid=539075;price=%2415.96;title=Silva+Explorer+Type+3+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F81196.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.271;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=60743;usg=AFHzDLvQJM8ebYi7CcXcIvInRIZEvIKwdA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbrunton-classic-8040g-compass.shtml;pubid=539075;price=%2424.98;title=Brunton+Classic+8040G+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F60743.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0943727146&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-38736622934810196472012-07-13T05:27:00.002-07:002012-08-12T11:23:50.331-07:00Galloping Goose Trail at Lizard Head Pass<br />
The <b>Galloping Goose Trail</b> follows an old railroad grade from Lizard Head Pass in the San Juan Mountains for 21 miles north toward Telluride in southwest Colorado. The segment from Lizard Head Pass to Trout Lake is very smooth and easy walking. It is about an 8 mile round trip from the pass to the west end of Trout Lake and back.<br />
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The trail head is on the east side of Highway 145 across from the view point area at the pass. This might be a more popular mountain bike route than a hiking trail. During my hike a group of 50 bikers passed by.<br />
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Near the trail head are historic sheep pens. Before 1951 the Galloping Goose was used to move livestock out of the mountain area before the onset of winter. The Lizard Head Pass at 10,225 ft. is a spectacular spot. <b>Sheep Mountain</b>, Vermilion Peak, and Yellow Mountain dominate the scene. The elevation at Trout Lake is 9710 feet.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">In the 1890's a mining boom inspired the building of a rail system connecting Durango, Dolores, Telluride, and Ridgeway in southwest Colorado. The mining boom ended and the in the 1920s the transportation needs of the area were served by the Galloping Goose, an odd looking narrow gauge train.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Goose ran until the early 1950s when the highways finally put it out of business. Three of the seven Geese were saved and are on display around the area. </span><br />
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The route winds downhill through Spruce-Fir and Aspen forest and meadows. Only <b>one of the old trestles</b> from the Goose era still stands. This one is along the route from the pass down to Trout Lake.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Past the trestle is a forest road going up to the trail head for the Hope Lake Trail. Also past the trestle there will be a few more vehicles on the route.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">There is an <b>old water tank</b> still standing, mixed in among the cabins on the hillside above Trout Lake. The cabins and homes in the area are an odd mix, some very luxurious and some very rustic. There aren't any stores or shops here. </span><br />
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The Trout Lake is scenic and there were a number of canoes and row boats strung along the shore. In mid July, there were several fishing from the bank.
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<span style="background-color: white;">Trout Lake water is used to power the historic hydro-electric plant in nearby Ames. The Ames power plant was the first in the country to generate alternating current and provided power to the mining activity near Alta Lakes and the now Alta Ghost Town.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> It took me about 1:30 hours to walk downhill here from Lizard Head Pass. My return hike uphill took 1:35 hours for a total hike of 3:25 hours for about 8 miles. On a 70 F degree day I carried and drank 3 liters of water.</span><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1566953405&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001N7V1QG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" iframe="iframe" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0000A0AET&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-69820455811021647002012-06-26T15:32:00.003-07:002012-07-20T05:38:13.708-07:00Above Bridal Veil Falls<br />
<b>Bridal Veil Falls</b> is a popular hiking destination located at the east end of the Telluride Canyon and east of Telluride town. At 365 feet it is the longest free falling waterfall in Colorado. There is trailhead parking at the base of the switchback road just past the Pandora Mill.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u98UFkjV4U0/T-oyofX7PlI/AAAAAAAALMw/ZPTfNs6tax0/s1600/IMG_9686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u98UFkjV4U0/T-oyofX7PlI/AAAAAAAALMw/ZPTfNs6tax0/s400/IMG_9686.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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From the parking area it is 1.2 miles to the base of the falls and 1.8 miles to the<b> historic power plant</b> at the top. The starting elevation is about 9200 feet at it is about 10,400 feet at the top.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa5-p3gB7DA/T-ryZZX5uvI/AAAAAAAALOI/Ts28lunmriE/s1600/IMG_9692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa5-p3gB7DA/T-ryZZX5uvI/AAAAAAAALOI/Ts28lunmriE/s400/IMG_9692.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It took me 0:55 minutes to arrive at the base of the falls and 1:30 hours to reach the top. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The old road continues into the Bridal Veil Basin behind the historic power plant. Vehicles driving to the top are blocked from continuing. The other hiking option at the top of the falls is to continue on the Black Bear Road toward Ingram Falls. </span><br />
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The trail continues to climb as steeply as on the switchback road that leads to the waterfall, with several high peaks and forested hillsides visible.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBaBai4UM6A/T-o2BvpjPiI/AAAAAAAALNc/yHnOHkD6MHU/s1600/IMG_9707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBaBai4UM6A/T-o2BvpjPiI/AAAAAAAALNc/yHnOHkD6MHU/s640/IMG_9707.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Looking back down the trail the high peaks on the northeast side of the Telluride Canyon are visible.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VafuSagIT3U/T-o08GeQwoI/AAAAAAAALNQ/AMlBqCQCNjc/s1600/IMG_9712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VafuSagIT3U/T-o08GeQwoI/AAAAAAAALNQ/AMlBqCQCNjc/s400/IMG_9712.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Bridal Veil Creek has many small waterfalls along this segment and there is a waterfall joining the stream from the west.</span><br />
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I turned around after an additional 1.5 miles and 1:10 hours at a point where a sparkling creek crosses the trail. The additional elevation gain was another 700 feet to about 11,100 feet.
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<span style="background-color: white;">I think this tumbling creek comes down from the Mud Lake basin. In late June there were several good patches of wildflowers along this segment of trail.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PXtPK2aPxI/T-o4Xwuy4xI/AAAAAAAALN4/fkJJ0pxstxs/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PXtPK2aPxI/T-o4Xwuy4xI/AAAAAAAALN4/fkJJ0pxstxs/s640/IMG_9730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">My return hike took 1:40 hours for a total hike of 4:10 hours for about 6.6 miles with 1900 feet of climbing. I carried and drank 3 liters of water on an 80 F degree late June day. It was a busy day in Telluride and there were many hikers and a few vehicles climbing to Bridal Veil Falls. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">(There is another post on Bridal Veil Falls that shows more of the hike leading up the switchback road. Use the labels to find.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802323133&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="528669_Russell Womens Fleece Hoodie Banner" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802323133&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-43437009406234729482012-05-27T06:56:00.000-07:002012-08-31T17:23:21.760-07:00Black Canyon of the Gunnison Overlook Trails<br />
The <b>Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park </b>in southwest Colorado has <b>nine short trails</b> to overlook points between the south rim Visitor Center and Warner Point at the end of the Rim Rock Drive. Seven of the short overlook trails have the one way distance in yards posted.<br />
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Adding up all the distances, I got about 4000 total yards, or about 2.3 miles of walking to see all the overlooks. Some of the interpretive signs in the Visitor Center are repeated along the trails, explaining the overwhelming scenery.<br />
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At the <b>Pulpit Rock Overlook</b> there is discussion of how the Black Canyon is shaped. The north rim is much steeper than the north facing south rim.
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The next three overlooks are nearly side by side. <b>Cross Fissures, Rock Point</b>, <b>and Devils Overlook</b> are relatively long with Devils Overlook the longest at 607 yards.<br />
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In this area you can see some of the <b>Pegmatite Dikes</b>. Molten Pegmatite rocks have squeezed into the cracks to form lighter colored bands. The lighter bands of rock contain the common minerals of Mica, Feldspar, Quartz, and Garnet.
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<b>The Narrows</b>, between Pulpit Rock and Chasm View is the shallowest and narrowest section of the Canyon. This area was very difficult for early surveyors to pass. Interpretive information says that the canyon width at Chasm View is 1100 feet and 1820 feet deep. The Gunnison River has a very steep gradient, averaging 95 feet per mile, giving the river the energy to cut downwards.<br />
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The <b>Painted Wall</b> is probably the most dramatic of the view points. This is the <b>highest cliff in Colorado</b> at 2300 feet. The patterns here were created more than one billion years ago as molten rock squeezed into existing rock. These cliff overlooks are good places to see the White-throated Swifts and the Violet-green Swallows.
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The <b>Cedar Point</b> View Point has more views of the Painted Wall and also has small signs identifying many of the common plants. This area has more Pinyon Pine and Juniper trees than the area closer to the Visitor Center.<br />
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Dragon Point also has views of the Painted Wall and a good view down the Black Canyon.
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<b>Sunset View</b> doesn't have a trail long enough to be concerned about the distance. On a clear day Monument Mesa and Grand Mesa are visible in the distance. The last viewpoint is at High Point where the 1.4 mile Warner Point Trail is located. It took me 2:30 hours to visit all these view points.<br />
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<b>Advice from the Black Canyon</b>: Carve out a place for yourself. Aspire to new plateaus. Stand the test of time. Don’t get boxed in. Listen to the voice of the wind. It’s OK to be a little off the wall. Reach Deep!<br />
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The <b>Rim Rock Trail </b>and <b>Uplands Trail</b> both connect the south rim Visitor Center and the campground at <b>Black</b> <b>Canyon of the Gunnison National Park</b> in southwest Colorado. The total loop is about 2.5 miles.<br />
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I started on the 1 mile Rim Trail that departs from the parking area of the Visitor Center. After about 0.5 miles along the rim, the trail passes <b>Tomichi Point</b>, the first view area along the Rim Drive on the way to the Visitor Center.<br />
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Continuing south of Tomichi Point, there is an <b>interpreted trail segment </b>with 14 stops. Arriving from the Visitor Center, the stops begin with No. 14. <br />
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The Trail Guide doesn’t identify specific features but talks more in general about observing and listening to the environment. There are general comments about which plants and animals live here and also about the erosion process that has formed the Black Canyon. The Tomichi Route into the deep canyon begins near marker No. 13, but wasn’t otherwise marked.
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Near the campground, there is a marked junction with the 1.5 mile <b>Uplands Trail.</b> This segment returns to the Visitor Center through mostly Gambel Oak, Sagebrush, and Utah Serviceberry, and is easy walking but without any more views into the Black Canyon.<br />
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The trail crosses the paved road twice before making a junction with and finishing on the Oak Flats Trail near the Visitor Center. My hike on the Rim and Uplands Trails took 1:10 hours on a 80 F degree late May day.<br />
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The <b>Oak Flats Trail</b> is a 2 mile loop that begins at the south rim Visitor Center of <b>Black Canyon of Gunnison</b> <b>National Park</b> in southwest Colorado.<br />
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Before starting on the trail most visitors will probably get a preview of the Black Canyon at the <b>Gunnison Point</b> <b>Overlook</b>. The Black Canyon features very old dark colored <b>pre-Cambrian basement rocks</b> that have been penetrated with lighter colored veins or <b>Pegmatite Dikes</b>.
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The upper segment of trail passes through Gambel Oak forest with many Utah Serviceberry shrubs. In late May the Serviceberries were exploding with flowers. At the loop junction I stayed right for a counter-clockwise loop.<br />
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Staying right leads to a steep descent down switchbacks to another trail junction that leads to a<b> permit</b> <b>required river access trail.</b> This is the <b>Gunnison Route</b>, one of three on the south rim. The other routes are the Tomichi Route on the nearby Rim Trail and the Warner Route on the Warner Point Trail.
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Continuing on the main trail, there are Douglas Firs in the shady areas and views across to the cliffs with occasional glimpses of the Gunnison River.<br />
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The climb back up is more gradual that going down. On the return segment there is a trail junction with the Uplands Trail that leads to the campground area. My hike on the Oak Flats Trail took 0:50 minutes.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930193076&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1565795385&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0762734221&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-91231237401788919752012-05-25T09:29:00.003-07:002012-05-27T06:58:55.867-07:00Warner Point Trail-Black Canyon of the Gunnison<br />
The <b>Warner Point Trail</b> is a 1.4 mile round trip that begins at the High Point view point at the end of the south rim road at <b>Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park</b> in southwest Colorado. The trail honors Mark Warner who came to western Colorado in 1917 and campaigned to preserve the Black Canyon for future generations.<br />
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There is a 14 stop<b> trail guide</b> for the Warner Point Trail and there are views to the south toward the Mount Sneffels area of the San Juan Mountains.
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One of the interpretive signs at the High Point discusses the Gunnison uplift, the subsequent erosion, the volcanic activity in the West Elk and San Juan Mountains, and how the Gunnison River cut across the buried uplift to cut the Black Canyon.<br />
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One of the largest <b>Pinyon Pines</b> that you’ll ever find is at trail marker 13. The trail guide says that some of the trees in this grove are 750 to 850 years old. There are also some Douglas Firs growing on the cooler north side of this ridge. One of the three south rim trails that descends into the Black Canyon begins along the Warner Point Trail at an obscure marker.
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There is a view point at the end of the trail into the Black Canyon. Mark Warner’s efforts were rewarded when President Herbert Hoover signed the Black Canyon as a National Monument in 1933. President Clinton expanded the park and renamed it as a National Park in 1999.<br />
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I spent 0:50 minutes on the Warner Point Trail on an 80 F degree late May afternoon.<br />
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The <b>Mesa Creek Trail</b> is a 1.5 mile round trip along the Gunnison River in the <b>Curecanti National</b> <b>Recreation Area</b>, east of Montrose in southwest Colorado. This trail is at the historic <b>Cimarron</b> area near the toe of the Morrow Point Dam and is at the upper end of the 6 mile long Crystal Reservoir.<br />
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The road to the trailhead follows the grade of the railroad bed that followed the Cimarron River to a junction with the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon. A preserved trestle normally shows the <b>historic Engine 278</b>, but in 2012 the engine has been removed for renovation. If I’m reading the map correctly, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad exited the Black Canyon here at Cimarron and continued west to Montrose.
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The trail descends from an overlook point, crosses a footbridge and continues west on the north side. The Mesa Creek flows into the <b>Gunnison River</b> from the north side and there is a small footbridge across the creek.<br />
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This is an easy trail to access the bottom of the Black Canyon and view the steep deep canyon walls that were such an obstacle to early settlers. These rocks are very old, more than 1 billion years.
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Looking back upstream, there are views of the <b>Morrow Point Dam</b>. It is also possible to walk closer along a sidewalk from the parking area. The Morrow Point Lake behind the dam is 11 miles long and relatively narrow, but 450 feet deep.<br />
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At the river junction, the turbidity of the <b>Cimarron River</b> flows separately for a while with the clearer Gunnison River. My hike on the Mesa Creek Trail took 1:00 hour on a late May morning.
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There is also the short walk toward the dam and the railroad displays to view in this area. The Morrow Point Dam was completed in 1968 and is the middle of the three dams in the Curecanti area. It was the first thin-arch double curvature concrete dam built in the United States.<br />
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It is 469 feet high and holds 117,190 acre feet of water in an area of 817 acres at a water elevation of 7160 feet. The power plant has two turbine driven generators with a total capacity of 173 megawatts after an upgrade in 1992 from 120 megawatts. <br />
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<br /></div>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-82094557774769935372012-05-24T18:10:00.001-07:002012-07-20T05:38:54.950-07:00Pine Creek Trail-Curecanti<br />
The <b>Pine Creek Trail</b> is a 2 mile round trip along the bank of the Gunnison River in the<b> Curecanti National Recreation Area</b>, 35 miles east of Montrose along Highway 50 in southwest Colorado. This segment of Gunnison River is just below the Blue Mesa Dan and is at the extreme upper end of the Morrow Point Reservoir.<br />
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The Pine Creek Trail is the route that visitors who want to go on the <b>Pine Creek Boat Tours</b> have to hike to get to the boat dock. The trail is also always open for hikers. This trail is an opportunity to hike at the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
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There are <b>232 steps</b> to descend from the trailhead to the trail. The trail follows the grade of the old railroad bed. There are several benches along both the steps and further along the trail to view the steep canyon and rest. Pine Creek flows alongside and under the steps.<br />
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Interpretive signs along the river segment of trail describe the history of exploration. Beginning in August 1882, the first narrow gauge railroad traveled through the Black Canyon and continued for 67 years. The rails were removed in 1949, but the grade and trestles remained for a while and were used by automobiles to reach the fishing areas.
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It took me 0:25 minutes to arrive at the boat docks. The boat tours are offered during the summer season at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM, every day except Tuesday. Reservations are required, no walk ups, but the trail is always open. The boat visible on the day I hiked looks like it can take about 10 passengers at a time. The park information says there is a 42 passenger boat also.<br />
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The trail continues past the boat dock for about 10 minutes of easy walking, and then seems to fizzle out. As the trail goes further downstream, the water gets obviously deeper as the Morrow Pont Reservoir begins.
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When hiking, you can’t tell that you are actually very close to the toe of the <b>Blue Mesa Dam</b>. There is a view point along Highway 92 a short distance east of the Pine Creek turnoff from Highway 50.<br />
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The Blue Mesa Dam was completed in 1965, the first of the three in the Curecanti area. The dam is 390 feet high and holds back 940,800 acre-feet of water with a surface area of 9180 acres. The power plant originally had two 30,000 kilowatt generators driven by turbines. The generators were upgraded to 43,200 kw in 1988, for 86 megawatts total.<br />
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From the same viewpoint, the Pine Creek Trail area is also visible. My outward hike took 0:35 minutes and the return took 0:40 minutes for a total hike of 1:15 hours. I hiked on a late May day.<br />
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<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_$20 off any hotel booking of $350 or more with code TLSALE20" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-46116450587434968712012-05-23T15:25:00.001-07:002012-09-11T12:27:11.128-07:00Dillon Pinnacles Trail-Curecanti<br />
The <b>Dillon Pinnacles Trail</b> is a 4 mile round trip along the north side of Blue Mesa Reservoir in the <b>Curecanti National Recreation Area</b>, east of Montrose, along Highway 50, in southwest Colorado. The Curecanti area is upstream of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.<br />
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There is a pullover view area when approaching the Dillon Pinnacles from the west along Highway 50. Interpretive signs at the view area say that the Dillon Pinnacles began 30-35 million years ago during a period of volcanic activity that built up the nearby West Elk Mountains and the San Juan Mountains.<br />
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The lava, mud flows and rocks from the volcanoes built up the breccia that forms the pinnacles. Only 2 million years ago the <b>Gunnison River</b> cut through the area to form the <b>Black Canyon of the Gunnison</b>. Now, this segment of river below the pinnacles is the Blue Mesa Reservoir.
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Just east of the view point there is a bridge and the trailhead is just across the bridge. The first segment of the trail approaches from the east and passes through a sagebrush area. At first, this seems like it is going to be a desert hike.<br />
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The middle segment turns north along a seemingly dry drainage, but which has riparian habitat and even <b>Ponderosa Pines</b> start to appear. Although they are not obvious in the first part of the trail, there are pines and firs on the on mesa top and some of them creep down the hillsides in the drainages.
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The last segment turns west and heads for a flat hilltop viewpoint below the west end of the pinnacles. Interpretive signs along the trail say that the <b>West Elk Breccia</b> is 600 feet thick. It is formed of hardened molten rocks cemented together in a matrix of ash.<br />
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Later eruptions in the San Juan Mountains formed a cap rock or welded tuff on top of the breccia. The resistant cap rock causes the formation of the pinnacles.
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Near the end of the trail there is a <b>small scale pinnacle</b>. An interpretive sign here says that the angular rocks are Andesite. The binding material is ash, pumice and dust.<br />
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There are several good benches along the trail at shady spots or good view points. The last part of the trail is a short loop that finishes on the flat hilltop below the pinnacles, with good views over the Blue Mesa Reservoir. It took me 1:00 hour to arrive at the end of the trail and 0:50 minutes to return for a total hike of 1:50 hours. I hiked on an 80 F degree, breezy late May day and carried 2 liters of water.<br />
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The West Dallas Creek Road provides an access to the Uncompahgre National Forest on the north side of the Mount Sneffels Wilderness area, near Ridgway in southwest Colorado. The access road is a south turn off of Colorado Route 62 about 17 miles east of the junction of Colorado Routes 62 and 145 and 5 or 6 miles west of Ridgway.</div>
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It is about 6.2 miles along the West Dallas Creek Road to the Forest Boundary. I parked at the boundary as the road gets rougher and has several large mud holes beyond the boundary. It is about 1 mile of walking to the point where the <b>Dallas Trail</b> crosses the Forest Road 850. <br />
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The Dallas Trail runs east and west for about 8 miles, with this access point being at about the center. There is a meadow with a primitive camping area in the vicinity of the Dallas Trail trailheads.<br />
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I followed the Dallas Trail west. The first segment climbs through Aspen and Spruce Fir forest. There is a crossing of the West Fork of Dallas Creek just before this trailhead. It took me about 0:25 minutes of walking on Road 850 to actually arrive at the trail. It appears that the Dallas Trail leading east is popular with mountain bikers. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sHNTiQ2THF8/TmNzfusJhOI/AAAAAAAAJVg/MjQvilUIWRo/s1600/IMG_4725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sHNTiQ2THF8/TmNzfusJhOI/AAAAAAAAJVg/MjQvilUIWRo/s400/IMG_4725.JPG" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div>
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After about 0.5 miles the trail arrives as a meadow area and crosses a small creek. The best views of the nearby mountains are along the ascending trail across the meadow.<br />
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The east end of this range of peaks includes Wolcott Mountain at 13,041 feet. The whole ridge appears to be near or above 13,000 feet.<br />
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The highest peak in this group is Mears Peak at 13,496 feet. The beginning elevation at the Road 850 trail at the forest boundary is at about 8800 feet and the actual trail head is about 9200 feet. These mountain views are from about 9500 feet.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHD39uBPb98/TmN4J6Hdc1I/AAAAAAAAJV4/l0O2uscJKVU/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHD39uBPb98/TmN4J6Hdc1I/AAAAAAAAJV4/l0O2uscJKVU/s400/IMG_4742.JPG" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div>
After the meadow, the trail re-enters forest and continues west for about 1 mile before there is a view point to the north. The knobby mountain is South Baldy at 9829 feet. There are many peaks visible in the distant north. The West Dallas Creek Road is visible in this view. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-Bdwf-73CA/TmN5mKFtDtI/AAAAAAAAJWA/lp7DmzZa_Qw/s1600/IMG_4710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-Bdwf-73CA/TmN5mKFtDtI/AAAAAAAAJWA/lp7DmzZa_Qw/s400/IMG_4710.JPG" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div>
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I turned around at this view point. My total hike was for 3:40 hours for about 7 miles. It was a 75 F degree early September day and I carried and drank 3 liters of water. There were several horse riders and bow elk hunters in the area, and I saw 1 mountain biker. <br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0943727154&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930193076&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1593511280&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00281TSXE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-1540301982366187432011-08-23T05:22:00.000-07:002012-08-31T17:49:01.122-07:00Lone Cone Trail and Woods Lake Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The<strong> Woods Lake</strong> area is a Trailhead for the Woods Lake, Wilson Mesa, and <strong>Lone Cone Trails</strong>. Woods Lake is about 10 miles west of Telluride, Colorado on Highway 145, then 8 miles south on Fall Creek Road. There are several connecting tie trails near the campground and lake area that allow a 5 mile loop hike using the Lone Cone and Woods Lake Trails.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqIrqtLRbPY/TlOZPhfDctI/AAAAAAAAJRU/P5C_pMrWZwg/s1600/IMG_4454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqIrqtLRbPY/TlOZPhfDctI/AAAAAAAAJRU/P5C_pMrWZwg/s640/IMG_4454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I started on the Woods Lake Trail and after about 10 minutes of walking turned right on the trail called the <strong>Woods Lake Tie</strong>. This segment climbs somewhat and heads west high above the south side of Woods Lake. The terrain here is thick Spruce and Fir forest. There are some glimpses of the lake but no clear views. I saw two Red Squirrels along this segment, sometimes called <strong>Pine Squirrels or Chickarees</strong> in Colorado. They scampered very close to me but were too quick for a picture.<br />
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There are two small creek crossings before arriving at a <strong>log bridge</strong> and a clearing in the forest. Across the bridge there is a trail junction with the Lone Cone Tie Trail. A right turn leads back toward the campground area. I turned left and continued on toward the longer loop options. It took me about 0:45 minutes to arrive at this junction.<br />
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This segment has some views over a meadow with <strong>Dolores Peak, Middle Peak and Dunn Peak</strong> visible. In late August many of the wildflowers looked finished for the season but there were several still in bloom.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwA6MpLtx8A/TlOeLCD-P4I/AAAAAAAAJRw/-b5SSlMu36k/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwA6MpLtx8A/TlOeLCD-P4I/AAAAAAAAJRw/-b5SSlMu36k/s640/IMG_4486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
About 10 minutes and a short distance further there is another trail junction that doesn’t appear on the trailhead map. There is a constructed water management channel with a service road along the side. The official trail continues west along the service road, but a hiker could turn back east and follow the road back to the campground. I continued west along the channel. The wildflowers were best along this watery segment.<br />
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I saw a <strong>porcupine</strong> along the channel segment. It was on the ground rather than in a tree and it didn’t run into the brush but instead turned its tail toward me and held its position, counting on its 15,000 to 30,000 quills as a deterrent. The service road segment ends at a flume and diversion structure. It is confusing at this point, but the trail crosses over some boards that are laying across the flume, and heads uphill following switchbacks.<br />
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After 1:30 hours total of hiking I arrived at the junction of the<strong> Lone Cone Trail and the Lone Cone Tie</strong>. I turned back at this junction and followed the Lone Cone Trail back to the trailhead area. The trail sign says 2 miles from the Woods Lake Trail to here but it felt more like 3 miles. <br />
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From the junction, the Lone Cone Trail looked like it was going to continue to climb through Aspen forest without any immediate good mountain views. Lone Cone Peak, the western most of the Colorado peaks over 12,000 feet isn’t visible from this loop route.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJXtZmBLuvc/TlOhaLwBF5I/AAAAAAAAJSE/_q4wG9HDpTk/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJXtZmBLuvc/TlOhaLwBF5I/AAAAAAAAJSE/_q4wG9HDpTk/s400/IMG_4495.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
The return segment is gradually downhill through mostly <strong>Aspen forest</strong> with a park like understory. I saw a pair of Gray Jays along here. This return segment took about 0:50 minutes for a total hike of 2:20 hours for about 5 miles. It was a 72 F degree day with clouds starting to form rain showers in the late afternoon. I carried and drank 3 liters of water.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0943727154&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930193076&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-87325789677727266142011-08-07T07:06:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:27:47.660-07:00Calico Winter Trail Short Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Calico <strong>Winter Trail</strong> begins at the Calico Trailhead, a short distance south of the Meadows area of the Lizard Head Wilderness in southwest Colorado. Eagle Creek Road, Forest Road 471, makes a junction with the Dunton Road, Forest Road 535, and leads south to the trailhead area.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4umHRx3wjWY/Tj6X1LCwOWI/AAAAAAAAJLU/X_HB7gippVE/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4umHRx3wjWY/Tj6X1LCwOWI/AAAAAAAAJLU/X_HB7gippVE/s400/IMG_4140.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The main Calico Trail leads south and climbs to some spectacular views of the Lizard Head area mountains. The Winter Trail leads southwest and stays relatively level. There is a short loop option that doesn’t seem to appear on all the maps. The starting elevation here is about 10,200 feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dqcr1Qdt46M/Tj6YvnRb4_I/AAAAAAAAJLc/aJUcBSgzo_k/s1600/IMG_4152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dqcr1Qdt46M/Tj6YvnRb4_I/AAAAAAAAJLc/aJUcBSgzo_k/s640/IMG_4152.JPG" t$="true" width="640px" /></a></div>The first mile of trail follows along a wide meadow area. At one point there is a good view of the Colorado 14ers<strong> Mt. Wilson and El Diente</strong> to the north across a rich wildflower meadow. The Winter Trail is overshadowed in this immediate area by the Navajo Lake Trail, but wildflower enthusiasts might want to at least visit this first mile of trail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wh228uVU0Q/Tj6ZhOydfSI/AAAAAAAAJLo/NN5DfSW3ggs/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wh228uVU0Q/Tj6ZhOydfSI/AAAAAAAAJLo/NN5DfSW3ggs/s400/IMG_4171.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The trail continues across more meadow and the <strong>Lizard Head</strong> formation comes into view. At this oversized rock cairn there is an easy crossing of Morrison Creek. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_9bRXdx49_s/Tj6cskQ1GjI/AAAAAAAAJLw/gzgAY_kpmCo/s1600/IMG_4177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_9bRXdx49_s/Tj6cskQ1GjI/AAAAAAAAJLw/gzgAY_kpmCo/s400/IMG_4177.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>After the creek crossing, the creek drops into a rocky canyon and the trail enters deep spruce forest with only one spot where there is a view, toward <strong>Dolores Peak</strong>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhmT7-PPkRo/Tj6dodiKnMI/AAAAAAAAJL4/OxeC2uOD_b0/s1600/IMG_4178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhmT7-PPkRo/Tj6dodiKnMI/AAAAAAAAJL4/OxeC2uOD_b0/s400/IMG_4178.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>After about 2 miles of hiking, there is a trail junction with a sign saying that Eagle Creek Road is 0.25 miles away. I chose to follow this short cut back to the road where it is 1.75 miles back to the trailhead. The trail junction with the forest road is well marked with a sign so a hike of the more distant loop could start along the road. <br />
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The Winter Trail continues on through the forest and there are several loop options possible in this area using the Calico Trail and Fall Creek Trail and the Eagle Peak forest road. My total hike took 1:40 hours for about 4 miles. It was about 65 F degrees in early August while I hiked and I carried 2 liters of water.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00239CTVE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0012M7KJO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-35928397341772469732011-08-06T19:48:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:25:45.602-07:00Kilpacker WildflowersNear the turnoff to the Kilpacker Trail, there is a particularly lush August wildflower meadow. This area is along Forest Road 535 on the south edge of the Lizard Head Wilderness in southwest Colorado. On the maps this area is identified as “The Meadows.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlT4w2p8uUU/Tj34wd0gphI/AAAAAAAAJKc/F3tj1scIiSs/s1600/IMG_4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlT4w2p8uUU/Tj34wd0gphI/AAAAAAAAJKc/F3tj1scIiSs/s400/IMG_4188.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Besides the Kilpacker Trail, the other hiking trails near the Meadows include the Navajo Lake Trail, the Groundhog Stock Trail, and the Calico and Winter Trails. This area can be approached from the south along the West Fork Dolores Road that is 12 miles north of the town of Dolores, or from the Dunton Road that connects with Highway 145 south of the Lizard Head Pass area.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGFahf17U7Q/Tj35sEUCKmI/AAAAAAAAJKk/WoxFoRnQ5q8/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGFahf17U7Q/Tj35sEUCKmI/AAAAAAAAJKk/WoxFoRnQ5q8/s400/IMG_4218.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Two of the Colorado 14ers visible from the Meadows area, Mt. Wilson at 14,246 feet to the right and the tooth shaped El Diente at 14,159 feet to the left. The white Yarrows and yellow Asters are lush here along with purplish Daisies (all Composits). The elevation here is about 10,200 feet.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5XlsjbUcfE/Tj36kAW5nBI/AAAAAAAAJKw/qI39zyWfwZU/s1600/IMG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5XlsjbUcfE/Tj36kAW5nBI/AAAAAAAAJKw/qI39zyWfwZU/s400/IMG_4205.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The blue Monkshoods (Buttercup) seemed particularly tall and thick here. Most of the Evergreen forest appeared to be Engelmann spruce, not many Aspens visible here.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMKQ7jKfA2s/Tj3-gUFcBCI/AAAAAAAAJK4/e3Khnvr-C0A/s1600/IMG_4216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMKQ7jKfA2s/Tj3-gUFcBCI/AAAAAAAAJK4/e3Khnvr-C0A/s400/IMG_4216.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The bright red Indian Paintbrush (Snapdragon) adds a lot of color. In this vicinity there are also yellpw Shrubby Cinquefoils (Rose) and a few pink Elephant Heads (Snapdragon). </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPWFQOf0OpQ/Tj4AzBa9rrI/AAAAAAAAJLA/2jdqDBBXMFU/s1600/IMG_4221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPWFQOf0OpQ/Tj4AzBa9rrI/AAAAAAAAJLA/2jdqDBBXMFU/s400/IMG_4221.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This Prairie Smoke in the Rose Family is one that I haven’t noticed before. I noticed these both here and along part of the nearby Winter Trail.</div><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0943727146&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0871089386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-37994908973800120942011-07-29T09:09:00.000-07:002011-08-11T14:03:26.202-07:00Lizard Head Pass July Wildflowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <strong>Lizard Head Pass</strong>, along Highway 145, south of Telluride, in southwest Colorado, is a popular area and has hiking trail heads leading in several directions. In summer, the moist meadow areas are rich in wildflowers. It is possible to hike between Lizard Head Pass and the Cross Mountain Trail Head area and view the wildflowers along with the several mountain peaks that are visible.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LjxvhFkIkg/TjLX9oF8g4I/AAAAAAAAJFg/fFcRy3PYQOA/s1600/IMG_3987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LjxvhFkIkg/TjLX9oF8g4I/AAAAAAAAJFg/fFcRy3PYQOA/s400/IMG_3987.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>I started my hike on the east side of Highway 145 near the East Fork Trail Head, and started walking north through the grassy meadow. There isn’t a trail on the east side, but the walking is mostly easy. From where I started, there are good views west toward the Lizard Head, Cross Mountain and Black Face. The yellow rose blooms of the <strong>Shrubby Cinquefoil</strong> stand out all along the meadow area. There are also purpleish Daisies and Buttercups here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuxcJBZeFAo/TjLcPWJ4N0I/AAAAAAAAJF0/LURyuoXImhc/s1600/IMG_3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuxcJBZeFAo/TjLcPWJ4N0I/AAAAAAAAJF0/LURyuoXImhc/s400/IMG_3988.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>One of the most eye catching of flowers in this area is the <strong>Elephant Head</strong> in the Snapdragon Family. These are in the moist spots and there are broad patches of them along the way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ocid9PTto/TjLc9erVRfI/AAAAAAAAJF4/prjANBZMDKU/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ocid9PTto/TjLc9erVRfI/AAAAAAAAJF4/prjANBZMDKU/s400/IMG_3998.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><strong>False Hellebore</strong> often grows in dense patches but not all of them bloom. The Navajo Lake Trail on the west side of the Lizard Head Wilderness has large fields of these.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uN_wt7TjuK0/TjLfrFDBS1I/AAAAAAAAJGI/nNDkGnk9mwM/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uN_wt7TjuK0/TjLfrFDBS1I/AAAAAAAAJGI/nNDkGnk9mwM/s400/IMG_4002.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><strong>Monkshood</strong> is a tall blue flower in the Buttercup Family. At first glance it might be confused with Larkspurs. Cross Mountain is in the distance. The popular Cross Mountain Trail provides a good view on the way to the base of the Lizard Head.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8YNAPBjbpHM/TjMPtHUZToI/AAAAAAAAJGs/UyznnbomxXw/s1600/IMG_4027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8YNAPBjbpHM/TjMPtHUZToI/AAAAAAAAJGs/UyznnbomxXw/s400/IMG_4027.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
Red patches of <strong>Indian Paintbrush</strong> are common and visible from a distance. I think there are many species of these in the genus Castelleja of the Snapdragon Family. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAWE1NRMIeU/TjMUPhI2uKI/AAAAAAAAJHA/5lb1SB7up4w/s1600/IMG_4032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAWE1NRMIeU/TjMUPhI2uKI/AAAAAAAAJHA/5lb1SB7up4w/s400/IMG_4032.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>There is a creek crossing about half way to Lizard Head Pass and the Yellow Mountain group visible from the pass come into view. The north half of the east side has broad patches of Elephant Heads mixed with white <strong>Bistorts</strong> in the Buckwheat Family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maCVtdFxFcs/TjMVfeK3W0I/AAAAAAAAJHI/eMbFT5oWMg4/s1600/IMG_4037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maCVtdFxFcs/TjMVfeK3W0I/AAAAAAAAJHI/eMbFT5oWMg4/s400/IMG_4037.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Also mixed in with the Elephant Heads are a few <strong>Rose Crowns</strong> from the Stonecrop Family. I didn’t see very many of these.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SUmj0CQ7zCk/TjMabMJ-_CI/AAAAAAAAJHc/xkh_sPoWt1M/s1600/IMG_4041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SUmj0CQ7zCk/TjMabMJ-_CI/AAAAAAAAJHc/xkh_sPoWt1M/s400/IMG_4041.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>I think these are <strong>Bluebells</strong> in the Mertensia genus of the Borage Family. These are in the area close to the Lizard Head Pass interpretive area, close to where I saw the Rose Crowns.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o50H_S-uoYY/TjLkvQ2jYiI/AAAAAAAAJGg/bLwHVdV4qLE/s1600/IMG_4073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o50H_S-uoYY/TjLkvQ2jYiI/AAAAAAAAJGg/bLwHVdV4qLE/s400/IMG_4073.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The return hike on the west side of Highway 145 can follow a rough road that appears to be a buried power line route. The walking is easier and there are good views of the moist meadow area on the east side. Many of the same flowers are visible but more along the several creeks that flow across the trail. My total hike took about 2:30 hours for about 4 miles. The <strong>swcoloradowildflowers.com</strong> web site is an excellent source for identifying regional wildflowers.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1552858480&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003VTZIIQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0395928974&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-53594388159323221572011-07-20T14:32:00.001-07:002012-07-13T05:28:43.640-07:00Animas Forks toward Engineer Pass-Alpine Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The south end of the <strong>Engineer Pass</strong> segment of the Alpine Loop begins at the Animas Forks Ghost Town, about 12 miles north of Silverton on County Road 2 in southwest Colorado.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SD410j9_324/TidJ9lou3hI/AAAAAAAAJCo/XjK2M413MyI/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SD410j9_324/TidJ9lou3hI/AAAAAAAAJCo/XjK2M413MyI/s400/IMG_3770.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
The Engineer Pass Road is one of several options for hikers after arriving at the historic Animas Forks site. I began hiking at the base of the ghost town and climbed toward the nearby junction with the Cinnamon Pass Road.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgBl8CqGd9w/TidKf8VqWtI/AAAAAAAAJCs/8XC9CwMFxN0/s1600/IMG_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgBl8CqGd9w/TidKf8VqWtI/AAAAAAAAJCs/8XC9CwMFxN0/s400/IMG_3765.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
This road climbs steadily but not very steeply and in mid July there are lush wildflowers on the tundra slopes. The starting elevation at Animas Forks is 11,300 feet.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ4pctWsiN8/TidLHVLWXCI/AAAAAAAAJC0/QcHOC3xAoR4/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ4pctWsiN8/TidLHVLWXCI/AAAAAAAAJC0/QcHOC3xAoR4/s400/IMG_3773.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
As the climbing progresses north, there are good views of the overall <strong>Animas Forks</strong> site, including the <strong>Frisco Mill</strong> located a short distance up the California Gulch Road. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OV5haZ10nDM/TidLvUW4LkI/AAAAAAAAJC4/ESD3bXPmNDY/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OV5haZ10nDM/TidLvUW4LkI/AAAAAAAAJC4/ESD3bXPmNDY/s400/IMG_3779.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
There are a few signs of mining activity along here. The ore in this area was about 5% valuable metals and the left over tailings piles are common.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV0bxewdSKk/TidMRGzrTCI/AAAAAAAAJC8/vVWWxmhtd_M/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV0bxewdSKk/TidMRGzrTCI/AAAAAAAAJC8/vVWWxmhtd_M/s400/IMG_3786.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
After about 1:10 hours of hiking there is a small mountain lake. There is a small old structure near the lake.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeOAlMvDKsg/TidOAfnExKI/AAAAAAAAJDI/iogrQKfJblE/s1600/IMG_3791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeOAlMvDKsg/TidOAfnExKI/AAAAAAAAJDI/iogrQKfJblE/s400/IMG_3791.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
I turned around after 1:20 hours and about 2.8 miles at the junction where the Engineer Pass Road gets steeper and narrower. The road to the left leads toward Ouray. The elevation at the junction is about 12,080 feet, a climb of about 800 feet from Animas Forks. The Engineer Pass is the highest point on the Alpine Loop with an elevation of 12,800 feet. From the junction, it is about 2 more miles and 700 feet higher to get to the pass.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYkxGXh4wHc/TidOgQ8WeXI/AAAAAAAAJDM/AXFdAqb0NlA/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYkxGXh4wHc/TidOgQ8WeXI/AAAAAAAAJDM/AXFdAqb0NlA/s400/IMG_3799.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
My return hike took 1:10 hours for a total hike of 2:30 hours for about 5.8 miles. There were many vehicles using the trail, but I didn’t see any other hikers, mountain bikers, or horse riders. It was a 65 F degree day with some clouds but no rain. I carried and drank 2 liters of water.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1566953405&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001N7V1QG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0000A0AET&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-60107962260721509592011-07-20T05:18:00.000-07:002012-07-13T05:27:57.541-07:00Silverton to Animas Forks-Alpine Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <strong>Alpine Loop</strong> is 65 miles of scenic and historic old mining routes in the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. One of the access points is to follow County Road 2 north out of Silverton, CO. Two wheel drive vehicles can make it about 12 miles to the Animas Forks Ghost Town, but beyond 4WD is necessary.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz-AEuG8ZdQ/TibCsQfyUeI/AAAAAAAAJCA/I2dxAWzv7TA/s1600/IMG_3720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz-AEuG8ZdQ/TibCsQfyUeI/AAAAAAAAJCA/I2dxAWzv7TA/s400/IMG_3720.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
There are several points of interest along the way. Not very far out of Silverton are the <strong>Mayflower Mill</strong> and <strong>Arrastra Gulch</strong>. Mining activity began here in 1870 with the discovery of gold and the formation of the Little Giant Mining Company. Activity continued here until 1991. <br />
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Many mining innovations occurred in this area, including the use of metal towers for trams like those visible here. These trams allowed work to continue year round. This was also the area that developed the concept and use of tailing ponds rather than dumping the waste material into the rivers.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KODkJSCaMY/TibDVrhYWtI/AAAAAAAAJCI/WVSuztNRmkE/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KODkJSCaMY/TibDVrhYWtI/AAAAAAAAJCI/WVSuztNRmkE/s400/IMG_3727.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
<strong>Howardsville</strong> is about 4 miles north along the Alpine Loop. Founded in 1874, Howardsville was the first attempted settlement on the west slope of the Colorado Territory. The arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway in Silverton in 1882 diminished Howardsville importance, but for a while it was the county Seat for all of southwest Colorado.<br />
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About 4 miles further is <strong>Eureka</strong>. There are large concrete remains of the Sunnyside Mill, but I didn’t see any interpretive information on this site. This is a ghost town that has mostly disappeared. At Eureka there is a campground and it is a staging area for ATV riders. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBJLlkFnm3Q/TibEcwM7ABI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/mHftUzxuzcQ/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBJLlkFnm3Q/TibEcwM7ABI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/mHftUzxuzcQ/s400/IMG_3734.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
The road continuing north from Eureka to Animas Forks becomes narrower, steeper, and bumpier but is still drivable for most vehicles. The road follows the railroad grade that reached Animas Forks is 1904 to service the Gold Prince Mill.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jR4xXWvB-Vk/TibFAT1Z_8I/AAAAAAAAJCY/Rn6nK-puF6w/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jR4xXWvB-Vk/TibFAT1Z_8I/AAAAAAAAJCY/Rn6nK-puF6w/s400/IMG_3738.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
There are some remnants of mining activity along the road. There are many side roads and trails in this area besides the main Alpine Loop route. Most of the visitors in this area that I saw are 4WD and ATV riders, but there are many opportunities here for hikers. Up ahead are the Animas Forks Ghost Town and the options for 4WD or hiking continuing on the Engineer Pass Road, the Cinnamon Pass Road or the California Gulch Loop Road. <br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0806120843&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0009KF4GG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-8552488764733148882011-07-19T13:19:00.000-07:002012-04-29T12:29:04.389-07:00Animas Forks Ghost Town-Alpine Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The historic mining town of <strong>Animas Forks</strong> is located about 12 miles north of Silverton, CO at the junction of the North Fork and West Fork of the Animas River. It is one of the attractions on the 65 mile Alpine Loop in the San Juan Mountains.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0MzyIiMn-4/TiXjpdfjKcI/AAAAAAAAJAU/suoZ82qPVfs/s1600/IMG_3766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0MzyIiMn-4/TiXjpdfjKcI/AAAAAAAAJAU/suoZ82qPVfs/s400/IMG_3766.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
There is a 13 stop walking tour brochure for interpretation of the Animas Forks site. I found one at the Silverton visitor center for $1. The brochure might be available at the site, but I think they were all taken when I visited. There was an initial boom here between 1876 and 1884. A fire that started in the Kalamazoo Hotel on October 22, 1891 destroyed the hotel and 13 other buildings.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OSblpX9nQw/TiXkKFIugvI/AAAAAAAAJAs/3ilTUhngMw0/s1600/IMG_3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OSblpX9nQw/TiXkKFIugvI/AAAAAAAAJAs/3ilTUhngMw0/s400/IMG_3750.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
The <strong>Duncan House</strong> is stop No. 1 and one of the most eye catching of the remaining buildings. It was built in 1879 by miner and mail carrier William Duncan for his family.<br />
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The second stop is also a private two room residence for a miner and storekeeper and was constructed around 1898.<br />
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Stops 3 through 7 are close by and are also residence related buildings. Stop 4 is the <strong>Gustavson House</strong> built in 1907. Gustavson was a storekeeper and tram operator in nearby Eureka.<br />
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top 8 is the remains of the <strong>Gold Prince Mill</strong>, built in 1904 at a cost of $500,000. It was the first mill in Colorado with a steel superstructure. It only operated for six years, then was disassembled and rebuilt in nearby Eureka. <br />
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The Silverton Northern Railroad was completed in 1904 next to the mill, Stop 9, and transported the ore to the New York and San Juan Smelters in Durango. There are remains of the aerial tram at Stop 11 that brought the ore 12,600 feet from the Gold Prince Mine that is located somewhere to the west.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsHf6Z4AtNY/TiXoj6mhSPI/AAAAAAAAJB0/k-mVhM_-ccY/s1600/IMG_3751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsHf6Z4AtNY/TiXoj6mhSPI/AAAAAAAAJB0/k-mVhM_-ccY/s400/IMG_3751.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Stop 12 is the <strong>Columbus Mine and Columbus Mill</strong>. In 1882 the mine had a 107 foot tunnel and a 35 foot shaft into Houghton Mountain. This mine produced galena ore which is high in lead. This mine was last worked in 1939.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDHrm8v_viQ/TiXpFJlmH4I/AAAAAAAAJB4/UrzSsTvcYq0/s1600/IMG_3740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDHrm8v_viQ/TiXpFJlmH4I/AAAAAAAAJB4/UrzSsTvcYq0/s400/IMG_3740.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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The <strong>Animas Forks Jail</strong> is stop 10 and is located at the edge of the community overlooking the combined North and WestForks of the Animas River. It was constructed using two by six inch boards assembled sideways for a stronger structure. The door with barred windows is on display at the San Juan County Museum in Silverton.<br />
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From the Animas Forks area there are three immediate choices for hiking in this area. The Engineer Mountain Pass Road continues north. The Cinnamon Pass Road turns east and the California Gulch Road heads west. Stop 13 at the Frisco Mill is about 0.7 miles away along the California Gulch Road.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0896584186&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0806120843&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0870040219&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-88511124181806345802011-07-19T06:17:00.000-07:002012-08-31T18:56:53.049-07:00Animas Forks to Frisco Mill-Alpine Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <strong>Frisco Mill</strong> is one of the many historic mining sites on the 65 mile <strong>Alpine Loop</strong> scenic by-way in southwest Colorado. It is easy walking distance from Animas Forks along the California Gulch 4WD road. Animas Forks is about 12 miles north of Silverton, CO at the headwaters of the Animas River.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7R-Ktsq7JiA/TiWAU_NaOQI/AAAAAAAAI_4/ojLezwiquSM/s1600/IMG_3805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" m="m" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7R-Ktsq7JiA/TiWAU_NaOQI/AAAAAAAAI_4/ojLezwiquSM/s640/IMG_3805.JPG" true="true" width="640" /></a></div>
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The starting elevation at Animas Forks is about 11,300 feet and the trail climbs another 360 feet in about 0.7 miles. Looking back down the trail, the rough roads to Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass are visible, both parts of the Alpine Loop.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kY23UeH6FA0/TiWAvLgC_CI/AAAAAAAAI_8/wyNK4wvgof0/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m="m" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kY23UeH6FA0/TiWAvLgC_CI/AAAAAAAAI_8/wyNK4wvgof0/s400/IMG_3808.JPG" true="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
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The Frisco Mill is point of interest number 13 on the <strong>Animas Forks Walking Tour</strong>, even though it is somewhat distant from Animas Forks and not many actually walk there.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6R3SgN19OHg/TiWBNvR0q8I/AAAAAAAAJAA/Nb5-dH4KRmo/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" m="m" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6R3SgN19OHg/TiWBNvR0q8I/AAAAAAAAJAA/Nb5-dH4KRmo/s640/IMG_3825.JPG" true="true" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Frisco Mill is also the site of a long tunnel where drilling began in 1877 but took many years to reach profitable ore. The project changed hands several times and had several names. The mill was built in 1903 with a design capacity of 150 tons per day and was intended to separate the valuable ore from sand, gravel, and clay.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYIM2KMglWY/TiWBxunVmnI/AAAAAAAAJAI/rTaqG-8KdTw/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m="m" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYIM2KMglWY/TiWBxunVmnI/AAAAAAAAJAI/rTaqG-8KdTw/s400/IMG_3820.JPG" true="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
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On the way up there is a small sign that says this area is an example of <strong>Alpine Tundra</strong>, found only in the arctic and isolated high mountain areas. In mid-July there are lush wildflowers along the way. Some of the information for this area says that there were previously many more trees on the slopes, but they were taken for use as building material and firewood.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVpXuIno9pw/TiWCK5A-Z_I/AAAAAAAAJAM/9_N4Fgif_8M/s1600/IMG_3815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m="m" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVpXuIno9pw/TiWCK5A-Z_I/AAAAAAAAJAM/9_N4Fgif_8M/s400/IMG_3815.JPG" true="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
Looking inside, many of the beams and columns have numbers on them. It was designed and constructed at the San Juan Lumber Company in Durango, CO. Then it was disassembled, shipped to the present site and reassembled according to directions.<br />
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The California Gulch Road is a side loop off of the Alpine Loop and visits other mining sites including the Vermillion, Sound Democrat 1886, Mountain Queen 1882, and Gold Prince 1903. My hike to the Frisco Mill took 0:45 minutes for about 1.4 miles round trip from Animas Forks. All the other visitors that I saw arrived in 4WD or ATV vehicles. <br />
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.359;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=658016156;usg=AFHzDLvdsjHsyKykBuGZYukqMJSwk7TbNw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252F%252Bim_crazy_about_hiking_sweatshirt%252C658016156%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--004--658016156%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D19;pubid=539075;price=%2439.50;title=Im+Crazy+About+Hiking+...;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F658016156_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.361;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=658016153;usg=AFHzDLsrul8ZQ8gItfZ5ag7ospGHRJP7HA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252F%252Bim_crazy_about_hiking_jr_hoodie%252C658016153%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--103--658016153%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D19;pubid=539075;price=%2434.00;title=Im+Crazy+About+Hiking+...;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F658016153_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.362;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=652673181;usg=AFHzDLty-xhhs80TRqlUDmmDiBOfNLxdGA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252F%252Bim_an_expert_about_hikes_sweatshirt%252C652673181%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--004--652673181%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D19;pubid=539075;price=%2439.50;title=Im+An+Expert+About+Hik...;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F652673181_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1934838039&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802323133&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="528669_Russell Womens Fleece Hoodie Banner" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802323133&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-23591070355065693102011-07-15T05:27:00.000-07:002011-07-20T04:50:48.657-07:00Wilson Mesa Trail-Sunshine Trailhead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <strong>Wilson Mesa Trail</strong> runs mostly east and west for about 13 miles on the northern edge of the <strong>Lizard Head</strong> Wilderness near Telluride in southwest Colorado. The east trailhead is at the south end of Sunshine Mesa Road. There are two other access points further west at Silver Pick Road and near Woods Lake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_zZ4E1H89g/TiC4PpYKp1I/AAAAAAAAI_c/-4FTuycWMXw/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_zZ4E1H89g/TiC4PpYKp1I/AAAAAAAAI_c/-4FTuycWMXw/s400/IMG_3657.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sunshine Mesa Road connects to the South Fork of the San Miguel Road and starts out straight, wide and smooth as it climbs. This lower road segment is a part of the Galloping Goose Trail. After the point where the Galloping Goose Trail branches off and becomes a single track trail, the Sunshine Mesa Road becomes narrow, rough and twisty with a few mud holes before arriving at the trail head.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OtVDTeHxik/TiAuINEmzBI/AAAAAAAAI-0/mrCf0D55wTk/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OtVDTeHxik/TiAuINEmzBI/AAAAAAAAI-0/mrCf0D55wTk/s400/IMG_3644.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The signs at the trailhead say Wilson Mesa Trail and 2 miles to the Lizard Head Trail and Bilk Creek. Practically speaking this is the trailhead for the north end of the Lizard Head Trail. The trailhead elevation is about 9760 feet. <br />
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About 0.8 miles along this wide and smooth segment, the Wilson Mesa Trail turns west and the old mining road continues south. The first 2 miles of trail are through thick Spruce, Fir and Aspen forest as the trail switchbacks down about 500 feet toward Bilk Creek and an open meadow and wetlands area. Near the bottom, there are some views of the mountains to the south.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0py9HjJz0c/TiAuwnKwRKI/AAAAAAAAI-4/wNTopLjKCmQ/s1600/IMG_3648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0py9HjJz0c/TiAuwnKwRKI/AAAAAAAAI-4/wNTopLjKCmQ/s400/IMG_3648.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The Bilk Creek crossing had a ramshackle bridge as recently as August 2009 but it appears to be gone in July 2011. The crossing was up to my knees and fairly swift in mid July, but not dangerous.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hd8glDcuozA/TiAvSZdxS9I/AAAAAAAAI_A/DngB3g9B4WY/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hd8glDcuozA/TiAvSZdxS9I/AAAAAAAAI_A/DngB3g9B4WY/s400/IMG_3664.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The segment along Bilk Creek and wetlands is the most scenic of the east end of the Wilson Mesa Trail. Looking upstream, the <strong>Wilson Peak</strong> group of mountains is on the right and the <strong>Sunshine Mountain</strong> group is on the left.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRsb5ed6WCY/TiAv7QLnk0I/AAAAAAAAI_E/JYm9mA0jSxs/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRsb5ed6WCY/TiAv7QLnk0I/AAAAAAAAI_E/JYm9mA0jSxs/s400/IMG_3660.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Looking downstream, the mountains to the north are the group on the north side of Highway 145 west of Telluride.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24-r1di1rDs/TiAyqz-fNBI/AAAAAAAAI_M/86-uEissBhA/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24-r1di1rDs/TiAyqz-fNBI/AAAAAAAAI_M/86-uEissBhA/s400/IMG_3675.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> About 3 miles down the trail there is a junction with the Lizard Head Trail. About 1 mile past this junction, the Wilson Mesa Trail leaves the meadow area along Bilk Creek and starts to climb towards the west. There was a herd of cows grazing comfortably near this point. After about 0.5 miles of climbing there is a large pond. I noticed a valve along the trail that makes this appear to be a constructed water management pond.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-im7D2eVunAg/TiAzEkl3wiI/AAAAAAAAI_U/oAxTuD7aDzY/s1600/IMG_3689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-im7D2eVunAg/TiAzEkl3wiI/AAAAAAAAI_U/oAxTuD7aDzY/s400/IMG_3689.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>After 2:15 hours and about 5 miles, I turned around about 0.5 miles past the pond at a small creek near a fence that also appeared to be engineered for water management. On the return hike I noticed a good view up Bilk Creek that showed the Bilk Creek Falls and the Lizard Head Peak. <br />
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My return hike took 2:05 hours for a total hike of 4:20 hours for about 10 miles. I saw two motorcycle riders during my hike, but no other hikers or horse riders. At my 2:40 PM finish it was starting to cloud up, but I didn’t get caught in afternoon mid-summer rain. I carried and drank 3 liters of water on a 65 F degree day. <br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0019IQ1WS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B004DSXC7I&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-81275578197796883842011-06-28T07:33:00.000-07:002011-06-28T07:45:54.977-07:00Scotch Creek Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <strong>Scotch Creek Trail</strong> is a 5.5 mile 4WD road connecting to the Colorado Trail and following a historic toll road route from the mining era. The trail head is east off of Highway 145 about 3 miles south of Rico in southwest Colorado.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJAJxCRfrsw/TgnictjESBI/AAAAAAAAI2M/WDjj_Q9Ka_o/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJAJxCRfrsw/TgnictjESBI/AAAAAAAAI2M/WDjj_Q9Ka_o/s400/IMG_3373.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>At the trail head there is an interpretive sign explaining the history of the road. The mining riches of Rico needed a transportation connection with the Animas Valley on the east side of the mountains. The trail head elevation is about 8720 feet and the climb is about 1660 feet to 10,380 feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-afRojI878m0/TgnjA6aVzcI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/rWYYEOOAVTs/s1600/IMG_3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-afRojI878m0/TgnjA6aVzcI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/rWYYEOOAVTs/s400/IMG_3382.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div> The first segment of trail follows the Scotch Creek closely and passes through an area with many scree slopes below the eroding formations. The forest is thick with Aspen and Spruce and Fir. I heard the loud squeaks of the rabbit relative pikas in the scree slopes but didn’t see one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiSlicDhuQ4/Tgnj0a5D5VI/AAAAAAAAI2U/aEVgkKXfP24/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiSlicDhuQ4/Tgnj0a5D5VI/AAAAAAAAI2U/aEVgkKXfP24/s400/IMG_3388.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>There are a few sunny and rocky glades along the lower segment with wildflowers. In late June there were a few flowers but not spectacular. The walking surface was reasonably smooth and the grade is gradual and easy in the lower segment. There are two small creek crossings, one might get your feet wet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S1-QP6Lwuw/Tgnkj1eDk4I/AAAAAAAAI2Y/dewCDTqEecs/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S1-QP6Lwuw/Tgnkj1eDk4I/AAAAAAAAI2Y/dewCDTqEecs/s400/IMG_3395.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>After about 3 miles and 1:40 hours of hiking the trail switchbacks away from the Scotch Creek and becomes steeper. As the route climbs, there are glimpses through the thick forest of some of the peaks to the north.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjFFB-QEaz0/TgnlQHraIEI/AAAAAAAAI2c/rkxLuIifHgw/s1600/IMG_3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjFFB-QEaz0/TgnlQHraIEI/AAAAAAAAI2c/rkxLuIifHgw/s400/IMG_3405.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>There is a short segment where the views open up north to what I think are Dolores Mountain, Blackhawk Mountain and Whitecap Mountain, all over 12,000 feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEuBvQtC-bU/Tgnm9llYAGI/AAAAAAAAI2k/wWexeESkh0I/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEuBvQtC-bU/Tgnm9llYAGI/AAAAAAAAI2k/wWexeESkh0I/s400/IMG_3409.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>A little further, some more distant mountain tops come into view. In late June the trail at the top was snow free with a few snow patches in shady spots off the trail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDwGJWi9aQw/TgnnswVDQ2I/AAAAAAAAI2s/iF0dyaNGsRM/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDwGJWi9aQw/TgnnswVDQ2I/AAAAAAAAI2s/iF0dyaNGsRM/s400/IMG_3410.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>It took me 2:45 hours to reach the junction with the Colorado Trail at Forest Roads 550 and 564. Looking at the map it looks like a descent to the east would arrive near the Durango Mountain Ski area.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBb1oR3GRWs/TgnoPnh4qDI/AAAAAAAAI2w/H43mGDGNF8I/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBb1oR3GRWs/TgnoPnh4qDI/AAAAAAAAI2w/H43mGDGNF8I/s400/IMG_3420.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The return hike took 2:30 hours for a total hike of 5:30 hours for 11 miles. It was 47 F degrees at the 8:40 AM start and 80 F degrees at my 2:10 PM finish. This was a 95 F degree day in Cortez, CO about 50 miles south. I carried and drank 3 liters of water. I saw two 4 WD vehicles during my hike but no other hikers or mountain bikers.<br />
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<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1566954630&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930193076&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></span>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-80832422947006202472011-06-04T07:25:00.000-07:002012-06-27T04:34:46.681-07:00Jud Wiebe Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <strong>Jud Wiebe Trail</strong> is a 2.7 mile loop in Telluride town in southwest Colorado. The west trailhead is at the north end of Aspen Street. I parked in the free parking that is on the southwest side of town and it was a 20 minute walk through the scenic town streets to the trailhead. </div>
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The west trailhead is also the beginning of the short trail to <strong>Cornet Falls</strong> and to the east ends of the Deep Creek Trail and Sneffels Highline Trail. At the trailhead there is a bridge across Cornet Creek.<br />
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The first segment climbs steeply to the west through spruce, fir and aspens. There are increasingly higher views to the west down the Telluride Valley and across the town. It took me 0:35 minutes to climb to the trail junctions.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YV45hF-vTZc/Teo7RobXEJI/AAAAAAAAIls/UatymB15Xt8/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YV45hF-vTZc/Teo7RobXEJI/AAAAAAAAIls/UatymB15Xt8/s400/IMG_2620.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
The Jud Wiebe Trail switches back toward the east and continues to climb.
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The views get better as the elevation increases. In early June there was still a lot of snow at the higher elevations.<br />
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At the high point there is a small bench with more spectacular views. It looks like the high point elevation is at about 9680 feet with the trailhead about 8800 feet.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UCPkgN-CB0/Teo9YclXJ_I/AAAAAAAAIl8/xvomc56I4d0/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UCPkgN-CB0/Teo9YclXJ_I/AAAAAAAAIl8/xvomc56I4d0/s400/IMG_2627.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
I thought the bench view point was higher than the top of the Bridal Veil Falls to the east. From the trail junctions it took 0:20 minutes more of climbing to arrive at the bench.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hI_0kHIYxjw/Teo-M0_LyJI/AAAAAAAAImE/7LSjFSOTH6s/s1600/IMG_2639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hI_0kHIYxjw/Teo-M0_LyJI/AAAAAAAAImE/7LSjFSOTH6s/s400/IMG_2639.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
From the bench the trail begins to descend and winds around the Cornet Creek. This segment of trail still had some patches of snow. There is a bridge across the Cornet Creek and a trail junction with the Liberty Bell Trail. <br />
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The switchbacks down the final segment come very close to the area above the Cornet Falls but I didn’t see a good view of the falls from there. The east trailhead connects to Tomboy Road, which leads 5 miles to the Tomboy Mine site. <br />
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The <b>Telluride Historical Museum</b> on Gregory Street is very close to the east trailhead. The museum has interpretive displays on the mining and social history of Telluride and also has the <b>Telluride Blanket</b>, a rare Ancestral Pueblo woven blanket that is more than 700 years old. <br />
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My total hike from the parking area to the Museum took 2:30 hours for the 2.7 mile trail plus about 1 mile of town walking. It was a 58 F degree sunny day. I carried 2 liters of water and drank 1 of them. <br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0943727146&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003ZD5F9U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001G7QW08&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802323133&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="528669_Russell Womens Fleece Hoodie Banner" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802323133&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043247726894287248.post-27281596153554636882011-01-27T17:45:00.000-08:002012-07-20T05:39:39.148-07:00Lizard Head Pass in WinterThe <strong>Galloping Goose Trail</strong> is one of several that begin in the <strong>Lizard Head Pass</strong> area, south of Telluride in southwest Colorado. The 21 mile route mostly follows the old rail bed of the Galloping Goose line that served the mountain area until the early 1950s. <br />
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The 2.5 mile segment from the Lizard Head Pass to the Trout Lake Trestle has been groomed for easy cross country skiing and snow shoe hiking. There is a cleared space to park on the east side of Highway 145 across from the 10,222 feet elevation Lizard Head Pass rest area. At the trail head, there is a sign and map with information on the history of the trail. <br />
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The mountains along this segment of trail are <strong>Vermillion Peak, Yellow Mountain, and Sheep Mountain</strong>. The footing in late January was very firm for easy walking in snow shoes. During my hike I saw 5 cross country skiers using the wide groomed trail.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q3sXLofrksw/TUIgUhlYSkI/AAAAAAAAH5g/AalZj-9dKFg/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q3sXLofrksw/TUIgUhlYSkI/AAAAAAAAH5g/AalZj-9dKFg/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There are many artifacts of the rail era along the Galloping Goose Trail. The only trestle still standing is the <strong>Trout Lake Trestle</strong>, at the end of the groomed segment. It took me 1:00 hour of hiking to arrive at the trestle where I turned around.<br />
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At the end of my hike I looked around the <strong>historic sheep corrals</strong> that are visible in the pass area, the snow nearly covering them. The wide meadow areas in the pass area are also being used by snowmobiles and I could see that the first segment of the Lizard head Trail was getting some use from snow shoe hikers.<br />
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There were also a few vehicles parked near the Cross Mountain trail head where there is a better view of the iconic <strong>Lizard Head formation</strong>. My total hike was 2:10 hours for about 5 miles on a 25 F degree late January day.<br />
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