San Juan Triangle Tour 2009

[IntrepidXJ]

The original plan for this weekend was for me to meetup with Jan and do some exploring around the Canyon of the Ancients area. However, because a few people bailed on him and he was unable to check out the San Juans with them, I offered to show him around there instead. We'll check out Canyon of the Ancients on another trip. Jan was looking for a good overview of the area, so we ended up running a number of the more popular trails in the area. I left work early on Friday and met Jan in Ouray. Our first destination was Governor Basin. This is a trail that I had not done yet, and was looking forward to it. I'll definitely be headed back this way in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming.

View towards Yankeey Boy Basin

Headed up into Governor Basin

Jan stopped at an overlook along the way

Saint Sophia Ridge

Mountain Top Mine

 

[IntrepidXJ]

When we reached the Mountain Top Mine we met up with Terry (Remote) and Joan from Grand Junction. They had mentioned that they might meet us on the trail, and they followed through.

On our way back down from Governor Basin, we decided to take the short loop over into Sidney Basin. It was a cool area, but would certainly be better in the spring with the wildflowers.

The narrow off-camber exit from Sidney Basin that I did not like very much....I would have preferred to go up this way instead of down.

When we reached Camp Bird Road again, we said goodbye to Terry and Joan and headed up into Silver Basin to find our campsite for the night.

Saturday and Sunday still to come.....

 

[mrbishi]

Those are absolutely spectacular photos - well done!

I really enjoy reading reports like this and drooling over the country you get to explore. It's pretty flat round these parts (Perth, Western Australia)

 

[Overland Hadley]

Very nice! Such amazing country up there.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[sinuhexavier]

As always, nice job.

 

[Funrover]

Great pics, I love that area... that off-camber section looks to be a bit scary to say the least.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

It seems that both Jan and I are early risers when we are out exploring, so we got our camp packed up and finished the drive up into Silver Basin on Saturday morning.

View as the sun came up in Silver Basin

This pond was all reflection this early in the morning

Two-track in Silver Basin

A recent structure that was sitting at the end of the road??

Jan heading up

View from the end of the trail

After heading back down to Camp Bird Road again, we made our way to the highway and started up Mineral Creek to get to Engineer Pass.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Jan at Oh! Point

Engineer Pass.

Instead of going all the way to Lake City, we decided to head back down and take the North Fork of the Animas River to Animas Forks

 

[Funrover]

Beautiful reflection shot

 

[IntrepidXJ]

After checking out Animas Forks, we headed up California Gulch. I stopped to photograph this boiler.

Jan continued up to the pass

We stopped at Lake Como on the other side for some lunch

Click here for larger image.

After lunch we made our way over Hurricane Pass

Lake Como in the background

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I wanted to fill up my gas tank at this point, so we took Cement Creek Road into Silverton. After I filled up and we toured the town, we made our way back up to Corkscrew Pass.

When we reached the highway we headed towards Red Mountain Pass and took the quick trip through the Red Mountain Mining District.

Yankee Girl

We found our campsite on the road to US Basin

 

[IntrepidXJ]

When it got dark out, I decided to have a little fun with my camera, long exposures and a flashlight...

Sunday still to come...

 

[kai38]

I'm meeting Jan for his NM part of his trip. Looks like the first part of the trip has better views. Great pictures.

 

[SWbySWesty]

great photos and trip report!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Sunday was another early morning for us. After breaking down camp we were quickly on our way to Black Bear Pass.

Jan taking a photo of a marmot on the rock

Heading down towards Telluride

Telluride down below.

Just past 'the Steps' and on our way down the switchbacks