Colorado Assistance - June 2007

[mightymike]

We are going to Colorado in June and plan to hike in the San Juan Mts. area. I've read a bit about the Colorado Trail and thought that might be a possibility. What we are looking for is a campround to "car-camp" our first night in state and then do 4 days and nights on the trail. In the past we looked at the number of miles hiked as some sort of badge of honor, but now we just want to do 8-10 miles a day and enjoy ourselves. We'd like to day-hike a 14k peak and do a little fishing while along the trail. A few sections of the Colorado Trail seem to fit the bill, but are not a circle route so we'll have to hitchhike back to the car or hire a shuttle.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks in advance for assistance.

 

[Pskhaat]

There's a good spot to start just on the North side of Purgatory (Durango Mtn. Resort, 'bout 45 minutes north of Durango proper) and back West in a mile or so, right adjacent to the colorado trail and vehicle accessible.

Durango_60 in namesake fashion may also have some more excellent suggestions.

 

[durango_60]

I'll need to check the mileage, but there are many good places to start/stop between DRO and Silverton. I would go ahead and start at the beginning of the trail, which is pretty much in town. If you need some shuttle help drop me a pm and I'd be glad to help.

 

[goodtimes]

A few years back, my little sister and I planned a 4 day trip in the S San Juan Wilderness area.

Starting at the west end of FR247 (west end of Platoro res),
we headed west on TR712 (following Canejos River)

Staying west, headed up middle fork (still TR712--but there is an intersection there--well marked in 2001) and up to Lake Ann (spitting distance to the continental divide).

Then south along TR813 which took us up to the divide and stayed there until we got to Blue Lake.

Then south on TR718 to Green Lake

North/east on TR725 (Canon Verde)

N/W on TR724 (south fork of Canejos River)

North on TR722 (canon Rincon) to Glacier Lake

TR 723 takes you back west to Blue Lake

From there, head north on TR718 which will bring you back to TR712 (where you made the turn up middle fork on the first day), and back to the trailhead.

It was supposed to take us 4 days, but we were forced out due to injury and weather on the morning of day #2 (we camped at Blue Lake--but I suggest Lake Ann, otherwise it is a long day). Overall, I think the planned route was just shy of 40 miles...

All of the above trail numbers are as listed in the Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer. We did see a couple of people when we were out there, but not many. Some were fishing...but didn't have any luck at the point where we crossed paths (2 guys fishing @ Lake Ann, and one guy fishing about 1/2 in from the trailhead). Trails were in good shape, and easy to follow...with the one exception of Middle Fork--as it approached the divide, the trail faded to nothing, but we could see TR 718 in the distance, so there were no navigational problems. Not sure what the trails are like south of Blue lake--as I said, we skipped 1/2 of the trip due to minor injury complicated by lots of rain. Oh, we did have to hike across snow drifts--in August....and we had one bear come through camp....but no major logistical problems.

 

[mightymike]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I've been pouring over the Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer trying to firm up some ideas. I'm going to meet with my traveling companions later this month so we can start drawing up an itinerary. We have been talking about the Uncompahgre National Forest area as well.

From what I've read we'll need to pack for temperatures down in the 20's and be preapared for snow, rain, lightning, bears.....I can't wait!

We are flying into Denver and I am pretty sure that we cannot pack a used cook stove in our luggage. My wife suggested mailing it to ourselves "General Delivery" at a post office at our destination. Has anyone else done this before?

Durango 66-If we decide to head to Durango I'll pm you for some shuttle ideas and the location of a good watering hole for our last night in town. Thanks very much for offering.

 

[goodtimes]

I have relatives in Denver, if you want to mail stuff to them so you can pick it up when you arrive, I can get you in touch with them.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Just a caution - you said your trip would be in June, many of the higher roads and passes are still covered with snow and either impassable or very difficult at this time of year. Even if they are not covered in snow, they can be muddy because of recent snowmelt. If I were you I'd try to come as late in the month as possible to get the best weather. We've gotten a lot of snow this year, at least here in Denver (not sure about the Southwestern part of the state) so take that into consideration.

 

[durango_60]

Just a caution - you said your trip would be in June, many of the higher roads and passes are still covered with snow and either impassable or very difficult at this time of year. Even if they are not covered in snow, they can be muddy because of recent snowmelt. If I were you I'd try to come as late in the month as possible to get the best weather. We've gotten a lot of snow this year, at least here in Denver (not sure about the Southwestern part of the state) so take that into consideration.

We have only had a mediocre year for snow and it is really warm right now so I'd bet things will be clear by June. But of course we could get blasted any time in the next 30-45 days...

 

[mightymike]

We've firmed things up for our trip: We are going to camp and backpack in Umcompaghre National Forest. We'll car-camp the first night near Silver Jack Reservoir (fish here?) and then backpack in on the East Fork Trail. Our goal is to spend a few nights in the backcountry and hike to the top of Umcompaghre Peak and maybe Wetterhorn as well.

Does anyone have any idea what the snow pack is like in that area? We will have a few alternate hikes in the area in case it is still too deep in the passes. What about the town of Lake City? Big enough for a hotel/watering hole when we head back to Denver? If it is not, any suggestions? I'd like to drive to Durango but it is in the wrong direction.

Headed that way on June 19th and I can't wait!

 

[kcowyo]

What about the town of Lake City? Big enough for a hotel/watering hole when we head back to Denver?

Three motels in town - The Matterhorn, the Silver Spur and Quiet Moose Lodge. The Town Square cabins are also centrally located in downtown.

There are several USFS campgrounds around Lake San Cristobal, right on the water. A more formal campground (showers, laundry, gift shop, etc.), the Highlander, is located near the lake as well.

Best eats - Poker Alice, Lake City Bakery, Tic Toc Diner and Mammy's Kitchen & Whiskey Bar. The Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant used to be really, really good but that was under previous ownership (mine).

Lake City truly is the last best place on Earth, you shouldn't miss it. The trail head from Uncompagrhe is only 3 or 4 miles from town. And a tip from a former local, get an early start when climbing any 14er. Storms at 2pm are very common and ruined many of my attempted summits.

 

[mightymike]

KCOWYO-You rock!

Three motels in town - The Matterhorn, the Silver Spur and Quiet Moose Lodge. The Town Square cabins are also centrally located in downtown.

There are several USFS campgrounds around Lake San Cristobal, right on the water. A more formal campground (showers, laundry, gift shop, etc.), the Highlander, is located near the lake as well.

Best eats - Poker Alice, Lake City Bakery, Tic Toc Diner and Mammy's Kitchen & Whiskey Bar. The Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant used to be really, really good but that was under previous ownership (mine).

Lake City truly is the last best place on Earth, you shouldn't miss it. The trail head from Uncompagrhe is only 3 or 4 miles from town. And a tip from a former local, get an early start when climbing any 14er. Storms at 2pm are very common and ruined many of my attempted summits.

Lake City it will be for our "wind down" after backpacking. We are going to kind of "base camp" near the foot of Umcompaghre Peak so we can get an early morning start due to the storms you mentioned and the fact that I am officially middle-aged. I'll let you know how the new owners of Blue Iguana are doing.

This is just the kind of first-hand info I was looking for. Thanks for everyone's input.