Independence Weekend in the San Juan Mountains

[IntrepidXJ]

We just got home a little while ago from spending our holiday weekend in the San Juan Mountains. We left Thursday after work and made our camp along Mineral Creek a few miles north of Silverton.

After getting a good nights sleep, we got an early start on Independence Day and made our way over to the Alpine Loop, starting with Engineer Pass.

Following the shelf road on Engineer Pass

This last winter wasn't good to the Mickey Breene Mine

Here's a picture of the same building from last July

At the top of the pass

Plenty of snow on the other side of the pass

What's left of the Bonanza Empire Chief

Stopped and took the short hike to Whitmore Falls

Capitol City

When we reached Lake City, we ended up stopping and grabbing some lunch. The town was packed for the holiday, so we waiting a bit longer for food that we had planned. After we did finally get our food and ate, it was time to jump on Cinnamon Pass and head back to Silverton.

Headed up to the pass

Looking down past Cinnamon Pass. When we were here a month ago, this area was completely full of snow. Lots of melting going on.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

We finally made it back to Silverton. We were planning on watching the fireworks here, but still had plenty of time before they started, so we decided to check out Clear Lake Trail not too far from our campsite.

Headed up to Clear Lake

Waterfall closer to the top of the mountain

The trail up to Clear Lake is a just a number of switchbacks up the mountains.

Up near the top, there were a few snow drifts that made the trail a bit narrow, but still manageable. The last 100 yards or so of the trail were blocked by a large drift still, so we had to make the short hike to Clear Lake. The lake was still a bit icy.

After checking out Clear Lake, we headed back down the mountain and made our way back to Silverton to watch the fireworks display. We found some prime seats

It was a very good show.

After the show and getting stuck in some pretty bad traffic, we made our way back to the campsite for the night.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Saturday was another early day for us. Our destination was Telluride for some breakfast. We hopped onto Ophir Pass and made our way there.

On our way to Ophir Pass

View from Ophir Pass

Road down the other side into Ophir

After some breakfast burritos in Telluride, we headed up the lower switchbacks of Black Bear Pass to checkout Bridal Falls

When we are back in the area at the end of July, we hope Black Bear will be open so we can run the whole trail.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

We then made our sway back down to town so that we could head up and over Imogene Pass, which had just opened two days before. (just ignore the sign)

Unfortunately, we ran into a lot of traffic on this trail in both directions

Another tour truck coming through the Social Tunnel

Old structure at the Tomboy ghost town site

Almost at the pass, looking back down

The top of Imogene Pass...just as a thunderstorm came rolling in and it started to rain/sleet

View up Imogene Creek

Once back at Camp Bird Road, it was time to find Alex. He said he was going to spend the day in Yankee Boy Basin, so we took a quick drive up there looking for him.

Twin Falls....a lot less snow than a month ago

Not only did we not find Alex there, but the trail wasn't open all the way to the Blue Lakes trailhead yet, so we turned around and headed back down to Ouray

 

[IntrepidXJ]

We stopped for dinner in Ouray at Maggie's Kitchen where they claimed to have the best burger in town. They had good burgers, and it is a small town...but it certainly wasn't the best burger I have ever had.

Before calling it a day, we made a short drive up to the Bandora Mine near our campsite.

Trail to Bandora Mine

The Bandora Mine

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Sunday morning I finally met up with Alex and our goal was to check out the Red Mountain Mining District before heading home.

One of our first stops was the Yankee Girl

Another mine shaft we passed

Nice reflection in this pond

Longfellow Mine

Alex checking out the mine

We completed the north section of the Red Mountain Mining District and started on the south section, however we were quickly stopped by some snow drifts and decided to turn around and head for home....after some winching, cutting, and shoveling.

US Basin

Where we turned around

It was a good weekend, and we are both looking forward to heading back out there in a few weeks

 

[Streakerfreak]

Wow! That looks like a great trip. Looks like a fascinating area.

 

[Tanto]

Nice trip Randy, good to see you are enjoying the sights in CO. Thanks for staying in touch & remembering us back in IL.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Wow, what a great way to spend the holiday. Thanks for sharing Randy.

 

[kcowyo]

Six July 4th's I spent slaving away in Lake City.... The biggest money day of the year for local business owners.

Nice to see they're having such good weather this summer. The San Juans rule the Rocky Mountain roost. :chowtime:

 

[ttora4runner]

Labor day can't come soon enough. Great photos.

 

[grahamfitter]

Looks wonderful! Best of all, it looks like I'll be passing through there in a couple of weeks time. What's a good way to find out about these trails?

Cheers,
Graham

 

[Ursidae69]

I almost ended up in the San Juans for the 4th, looks like I missed out. Awesome photos, thanks for sharing.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Looks wonderful! Best of all, it looks like I'll be passing through there in a couple of weeks time. What's a good way to find out about these trails?

Cheers,
Graham

Here's a start:

http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html

then:

http://www.adlerpublishing.com/detail.aspx?prodID=129

http://funtreks.com/index.php?page=book_1

 

[Willman]

Thanks for the shots!!!

CO = game on!!!!!