Posted by Phillip Noll on August 1, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Hello All,
I've decided that I, in order to maintain my sanity, absolutely must take a vacation (haven't had a real vacation in two years). So, I am planning for 7 days in the San Juans of southern Colorado. Car camping, general hiking (not mountain climbing), and, of course, photography.
Can you guys/gals give me some recommendations of things to see, places to go, etc. in the San Juans? We will be driving an XTerra, and we are interested in waterfalls, wildflowers, alpine lakes and tarns, and your everyday extraordinary scenery! Good sunset/sunrise locations would be nice too. Third week of August is what we are shooting for.
I've driven over Cinnamon Pass and didn't think it was too scary but I wouldn't want to try anything that is much "worse" than that. A little scarier--maybe, but not a lot (yeah I'm a wimp). Black Bear is out of the question! I'm not in to technical 4x4 driving but I do like to get off the beaten track.
All recommendations appreciated! If you happen to be out in the San Juans during that time and see a red XTerra with NM plates--stop and say hello! Thanks much.
Not sure how much luck you'll have with wildflowers at that time, but hopefully someone else will have better info.
One place that I really want to get back into in the summer time is Gray Copper Gulch. Darren took me up there last fall, and it was spectacular, even in the rain, fog, and with all the grass brown! With the greens of summer it must be incredible! And if I could do it in the heavy rain, in a stock 4Runner, you will have no problem! There are some awesome camp spots up there too, and plenty of other roads to check out close by, like Hurricane Pass.
I need to get back to work. Looking forward to hearing what others have to suggest!
Good luck, and have a great trip!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 1, 2007 at 3:29 PM
Phil,
Check some of the previous threads. There has been a lot of discussion about locations and conditions by those of us who recently completed trips to the San Juans.
My personal recommendations:
Clear Lake, Ice Lake Basin, Stony Pass, American Basin - these are all in the Silverton area.
Yankee Boy Basin in the Ouray area is worth the trip too.
Phill, I'm still working at LANL. I just got back from a trip to Red Mountain Pass area and can give you lots of tips. I'll try to call you tomorrow before I head back home.
I along trip to the San Juans must include American Basin and a hike to Sloan Lake imho.
Posted by Phillip Noll on August 2, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions and well-wishes!! Gray Copper Gulch looks like a definite must-see! Blue Lakes Pass also looks mighty nice! What roads lead to Clear Lake and Ice Lakes Basin? I've been though all of Darren's pages and will need to go back again and study up! What a great resource Darren! I'll get my maps out this weekend and try to plan a trip and then solicit your input on my proposed route and camping locations.
Thanks again!
Posted by Scott Bacon on August 2, 2007 at 3:25 PM
Welcome back, Phil!!
Lots of great suggestions, so far. The only place I haven't seen mentioned is Porphyry Basin. I just went there for the first time last week and found lots of stuff to shoot - sunrise thru mid-morning. I was a little nervous with all the talk about "pucker point" along the road heading into the basin. But I guess I built it up even more in my own mind, because it was not really a big deal in my Xterra (now a full size truck would be a different story... ).
Enjoy! Good to have you back!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on August 2, 2007 at 4:51 PM
Blue Lakes Pass from Yankee Boy Basin is very good, and it is the shortest hike to the pass. But, I also really like the trail to Lower & Upper Blue Lakes from the Ridgway side. Great, free campsites at the trailhead at the end of the East Dallas Creek Road. It's a 6.6 mile roundtrip hike to Lower Blue Lake.
Posted by Phillip Noll on August 3, 2007 at 6:34 PM
San Juan Experts,
Took me the longest time to realize that the "Engineer Mountain reflection" Darren mentions above is not the Engineer Mountain near Silverton but the one near Purgatory. Right?
Also, is there a road/4WD trail up Gray Copper Gulch itself? Are there places to camp in there? My Forest Service map shows a road in Corkscrew but not in GCG.
My handy (if cryptic) FS map also does not show Oh! Point. Is it near Mineral Point or closer to Engineer Pass?
Finally, can I drive from Ironton/Corkscrew to Animas Forks via Hurricane and California passes?
Thanks for your help. My maps suck!
Posted by Phillip Noll on August 3, 2007 at 9:21 PM
I was on Grey Copper a week ago on my Bombardier. The forest service had a guy run his dozer up there and do something(???) to the road. It was a muddy mess. There were a couple of places that a 4X4 would chance gettin stuck as it is really steep and muddy.
Discussion
12 repliesI've decided that I, in order to maintain my sanity, absolutely must take a vacation (haven't had a real vacation in two years
Can you guys/gals give me some recommendations of things to see, places to go, etc. in the San Juans? We will be driving an XTerra, and we are interested in waterfalls, wildflowers, alpine lakes and tarns, and your everyday extraordinary scenery!
I've driven over Cinnamon Pass and didn't think it was too scary but I wouldn't want to try anything that is much "worse" than that. A little scarier--maybe, but not a lot
All recommendations appreciated! If you happen to be out in the San Juans during that time and see a red XTerra with NM plates--stop and say hello! Thanks much.
Phil
First, if you haven't already, be sure to check out Darren's San Juans info:
http://www.mycolorado.org/san_juans.html
http://www.mycolorado.org/trails.html
Good stuff.
Not sure how much luck you'll have with wildflowers at that time, but hopefully someone else will have better info.
One place that I really want to get back into in the summer time is Gray Copper Gulch. Darren took me up there last fall, and it was spectacular, even in the rain, fog, and with all the grass brown! With the greens of summer it must be incredible! And if I could do it in the heavy rain, in a stock 4Runner, you will have no problem! There are some awesome camp spots up there too, and plenty of other roads to check out close by, like Hurricane Pass.
I need to get back to work. Looking forward to hearing what others have to suggest!
Good luck, and have a great trip!
Check some of the previous threads. There has been a lot of discussion about locations and conditions by those of us who recently completed trips to the San Juans.
My personal recommendations:
Clear Lake, Ice Lake Basin, Stony Pass, American Basin - these are all in the Silverton area.
Yankee Boy Basin in the Ouray area is worth the trip too.
Have fun!
Ken
Shoot me an email at your current email address, and I'd be happy to give you a list of "musts" in the San Juans that match your criteria.
Thanks again!
Lots of great suggestions, so far. The only place I haven't seen mentioned is Porphyry Basin. I just went there for the first time last week and found lots of stuff to shoot - sunrise thru mid-morning. I was a little nervous with all the talk about "pucker point" along the road heading into the basin. But I guess I built it up even more in my own mind, because it was not really a big deal in my Xterra (now a full size truck would be a different story...
Enjoy! Good to have you back!
for maps and photos see trip #201 on the Ouray trails site:
http://www.ouraytrails.org/trails02.html
Took me the longest time to realize that the "Engineer Mountain reflection" Darren mentions above is not the Engineer Mountain near Silverton but the one near Purgatory. Right?
Also, is there a road/4WD trail up Gray Copper Gulch itself?
My handy (if cryptic) FS map also does not show Oh! Point.
Finally, can I drive from Ironton/Corkscrew to Animas Forks via Hurricane and California passes?
Thanks for your help.
I was on Grey Copper a week ago on my Bombardier. The forest service had a guy run his dozer up there and do something(???) to the road. It was a muddy mess. There were a couple of places that a 4X4 would chance gettin stuck as it is really steep and muddy.
Ken