Mineral Creek/ Poukeepsie Gulch/ Hurricane Pass, Kendal Gulch San Juan day trip

[roverrocks]

On July 25, 2011 I explored old mine 4w trails, long gone mines, endless fields of wildflowers, and viewed incredible vistas in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado near Ouray and Silverton. The wildflowers especially were at their alpine peak of brilliance. Too beautiful to really capture in my measly photographs and do them justice. The San Juans are a massive expanse of alpine peaks and valleys in all directions that really are the "Switzerland of America". Wheeled Mineral Creek, Poukeepsie Gulch, Hurricane Pass and nearby side trails, and Kendal Gulch up to high areas below Kendal Peak and Kendal Mountain. Had fun as always climbing the Poukeepsie "Wall", getting stuck in a snow bank blocking a remote mine trail near Hurricane Pass, eating lunch in an alpine hail storm, and watching the Durango/Silverton train pull into Silverton. It is very "depressing" to live near the San Juan Mountains as I do but I suck it up big time and endure the lack of views and places to explore every summer.

 

[roverrocks]

More Pictures.

 

[roverrocks]

A few more pictures.

 

[stevec]

How bad was Poughkeepsie Gulch? We were there last week, and were told that there were some pretty big washouts, and that it was pretty much impassable except in a rock buggy. In fact one person in our group was simply told it was closed. Given the vast number of wonderful drives in the area, and the fact we were only there for five days, we skipped it.

 

[ttora4runner]

Nice, photos. Looking forward to heading there in September.

 

[roverrocks]

How bad was Poughkeepsie Gulch? We were there last week, and were told that there were some pretty big washouts, and that it was pretty much impassable except in a rock buggy. In fact one person in our group was simply told it was closed. Given the vast number of wonderful drives in the area, and the fact we were only there for five days, we skipped it.

Poukeepsie Gulch is open. You don't need a buggy but having F & R lockers will be needed at the "Wall" which seemed tougher then in previous years to me. It took me 3 attempts to get up on the right hand side. I tried once on the left and did not make it. It was a bit muddy which makes the "wall" much harder than if it is bone dry at the base. The "Wall" is the only real tough place though about 100 yards below the "Wall" it was pretty badly washed out compared to last year. If one doesn't want to climb the "Wall" then one can drive up from below to it on what is a tremendously scenic trail and go back down to Mineral Creek and go up that trail. One can also drive down to the "Wall' from Lake Como above and check it out. Going down the "Wall" is a bit heart gripping too but you at least don't need lockers though to go down it just really good brakes and do it very slowly. Poukeepsie Gulch either up or down has a lot of sharp rocks so be sure you have good off road tires. As I said it is open but be sure you have a good truck with good aired down tires and lockers at the "Wall". The first picture I put on the other day shows the "Wall" area from high above at an old mine site. There are winch points at the "Wall".

 

[Adventure Jeep]

Great pictures... I was up their for a month ending July 18th and Poukeepsie Gulch, Black Bear and other smaller traielrs were still closed..... I always enjoy Poukeepsie Gulch, maybe next year.
Thx for the update.