Great Fall Hikes in San Juans?

Due to some unexpected time off from work I'll be in the San Juans for 3 days this weekend. Anyone have good suggestions for nice fall hikes?

Oh come on, somebody must have some suggestions. Anyone?

Well this is surprising - everyone is already out for the weekend? I wish I could help, but I've never hiked much down there; only driven. Maybe you can email Jack?

Sorry, Bret I thought Jack would chime in :-). Anything off Stony Pass would be awesome, and of course getting off the train for the basin that is one stop north of Chicago Basin opens up a number of great hikes, including ones to Vestal and Arrow. I've done a backpack (awhile ago) starting on the Eastern side and going to the Divide and then coming back down, but I can't recall any names (my pics are all in a slide box somewhere downstairs ). The Wolf Creek area is lower, but I understand there is some damn remote places south of the Pass.

Let us know what you decide!

Another idea, a book I have used a TON and is really good for suggestions: Pearson and Fielder's "Complete Guide to Colorado Wilderness Areas". If you can't get a copy, let me know and tonight I'll pull out the suggestions for the San Juan area.

Thanks for the ideas, Paul. I actually own that book and will have bring it with us. If anyone else has ideas I'd love to hear them!

Blue Lakes basin is a neat area on the N side of Sneffels, but you are up in the spruce and won't see many aspens.

John

Thanks, John. I guess when I said "Fall hikes" what I should have said was, "Aspens or colorful tundra". I'm still open for suggestions, folks.

Not to sure about aspen hikes down there, but there are colorful tundra hikes GALORE (Uncompahgre and Weminuche!). Try hiking towards Highland Mary from Stony Pass (or even the Highland Mary trail). Or Wetterhorn Basin. Or the Matterhorn cutoff trail (aspens at the beginning) - from Engineer Pass Rd. Or find a trail in the Red Mountain area - lotsa gold their now it seems.

Hello. I have never posted, but couldn't resist adding a suggestion. The Alpine Trail that loops around Lake City, CO is really spectacular. Hardly any aspen trees, but plenty of tundra and high mtn. lakes. I'd post a pic, but I haven't gone digital yet.

Bet the best colors right now are in the tighter valleys. Anything off 550 between Ouray and Red Mountain over to Silverton is great now.

Brett, I don't know about colors there yet but the hike to Spud Lake off of Lime Creek road is a nice short hike (about a mile) with some good possibilities if the leaves have turned. The trailhead is at the beaver pond on the south end of Lime Creek Road.