Fall Colors in the San Juan Mountains

[IntrepidXJ]

Amanda and I headed down for what most likely is out last San Juan trip this year to check out the fall colors. While there were definitely some nice colors out in the mountains, it seems as though the peak of the season is still another weekend away. Since I will be in Moab next weekend with NAXJA, this was our only chance.

On Saturday morning, our goal was to check out some of the trails just west of Ridgway, then make our way to Telluride via Last Dollar Road, and then hit up a few short trails on our way over to Silverton where we setup camp along South Mineral Creek. The skies did not cooperate with us very well this day, as there were numerous scattered storms in the area, so I did the best I could taking pictures with my P&S.

We started out along Dallas Creek

Mount Sneffels

Then we headed up to Box Factory Park

Passing through the Double RL Ranch

Box Factory Park

Last Dollar Road

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Cabins at the Alta townsite

Alta Lakes

Headed up into Gold King Basin

Small lake in Gold King Basin

JUst before the dead end on the way up to Gold King mine

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Headed over Ophir Pass

Dome Mountain from the beginning of Eureka Gulch

My Jeep and Emery Peak with what's left of Lake Emma (drained) below

Aspens in Eureka Gulch

Animas River near Arrastra Gulch with a tram above

 

[IntrepidXJ]

On Sunday morning we got up early and headed back through Silverton and up Cement Creek Road to Gladstone. From there, we headed up into Prospect Gulch.

Headed up Red Mountain #3 from Prospect Gulch

View down into Prospect Gulch

Red Mountain #3

Next we headed back to Gladstone and took a trail that looped around Cement Creek Gulch and met back up with Hurricane Pass.

Hurricane Pass on Brown Mountain

Lake Como and Poughkeepsie Gulch

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Once we reached Lake Como, we headed over California Pass and made our way to Animas Forks

Fresh snow on Hurricane Peak

California Gulch

Building at the Frisco Mine

Duncan residence in Animas Forks

Animas Forks

 

[IntrepidXJ]

From Animas Forks we headed up the North Fork Cutoff to Mineral Creek and took that to US 550, where we turned right and headed back home

View down onto Mineral Point

Aspens chaning along Mineral Creek

It was a great weekend....now to prepare myself for nine days in Moab starting next weekend

 

[ExploringNH]

It seems like fall sure is coming early this year. Great shots, looks like a gorgeous place to live.

 

[ttora4runner]

Why do you guys keep torturing me with these photo's. Great photo's, sure beats the sand down here.

 

[Willman]

Great tour as always!!

Thanks for posting this up!

:bowdown:

 

[Funrover]

Great pics, this was a great weekend here in CO for that!

 

[Atticus_1354]

I love your trip reports. Some day I am going to have to get our xjs together and you can show me some of these great spots. Are there any good places like this that stay free from snow in December. I may be able to take the month of December off and travel, but this Texas boy prefers to avoid driving in unfamiliar snow.

 

[durango_60]

Great report, it looks like you really lucked out with the weather. I was up there yesterday getting snowed on...

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Great report, it looks like you really lucked out with the weather. I was up there yesterday getting snowed on...

we got rained and snowed on Saturday when we were near Ophir

 

[SunMan]

Stunning pics. Colorado is one beautiful place!

 

[DarinM]

Nice...

I'd hoped to make it out that way this year - didn't happen.
Beautiful pictures and I'll just have to try harder to make it out there next year.
Thanks for sharing.