This photo won't win any beauty contests, but perhaps it will appeal to the geology buffs. This is looking back down Cow Creek from above where it dead-ends. The mountainsides across the valley are filled with intricate enormous spires of eroded volcanic sediment. These slopes form the western lower slopes of the Wetterhorn massif - in fact Wetterhorn Creek drains into Cow Creek on the other side of that ridge.
If you consider the Wetterhorn massif as a whole, with these being the lower impenetrable walls, the sheer enormity of that peak becomes apparent.
Here's a BIGGER VERSION to appreciate the details a little more.
Jack, even laid up on the couch, your trip doesn't sound that fun. At least you didn't become the CO version of into the wild! Maybe the life lessons come later. Congrats for the effort and getting out in one piece ~ and thanks for giving us a 1st look at dead end waterfall.
I'm just glad I can't tell you I feel your pain and actually mean it. I wouldn't have even TRIED to do this! That valley looks so impressive on a map, but even more so in your pics, as it looks like the makings of a Colorado version of Bryce Canyon. That Dead End Falls is incredible!
I dunno, sounds kinda fun to me! I love those falls, very cool.
That plant is stinging nettles, i have much painful experience with it from doing the 46ers in the Adirondacks--truly nasty stuff. Don't know if it grows here, but in the 'dacks there was a certain plant that grows right alongside the nettles, with a broad leaf. It happens to be an anecdote--if you rub it on your skin the burning disspears quickly.
Wow Jack, what a miserable sounding trip. I can only imagine trying to climb up that loose scree with your pack on. Yuck. Your trip report was fun to read though. That Dead End Falls is amazing. Looks like you would have gotten soaked if you'd have been closer. Glad you made it back safe.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on July 13, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Jack, What a great report. That's to bad it wasn't such a great experience. But I guess if you don't check it out you'd never know what you missed. Thanks for the picture of the evil plant, I'll be sure to be on the lookout for it. That is some beautiful waterfall!
Dude, you're an animal! Dead End Falls is gorgeous and I'd love to photography it but frankly, I highly doubt I'll ever find the motivation to wander up that canyon.
I just happened to get my "Waterfalls of Colorado" last night, looked up Cow Creek, and I believe the authors called the falls"Cow Creek Falls". I like Jack's name better . The also talked about another entrance that seemed easier in terms of bushwack'ability, but may have been more vertically-challenging.
Discussion
14 repliesCheck out my brief trip report with photos here.
This photo won't win any beauty contests, but perhaps it will appeal to the geology buffs. This is looking back down Cow Creek from above where it dead-ends. The mountainsides across the valley are filled with intricate enormous spires of eroded volcanic sediment. These slopes form the western lower slopes of the Wetterhorn massif - in fact Wetterhorn Creek drains into Cow Creek on the other side of that ridge.
If you consider the Wetterhorn massif as a whole, with these being the lower impenetrable walls, the sheer enormity of that peak becomes apparent.
Here's a BIGGER VERSION to appreciate the details a little more.
I'll cross this hike off my to-do list. Thanks for the trip report.
I'm glad you finally decided to turn around. We'd really miss your photography.
When I was a kid, we had that weed you mentioned... Not pleasant stuff! We called it fireweed,
though I'm not sure of the true name.
Good job Jack, and a nice set of falls.
Mel - If I could turn back the clock, I would have gladly taken three days in my office instead. So it goes... sometimes backpacking backfires.
That plant is stinging nettles, i have much painful experience with it from doing the 46ers in the Adirondacks--truly nasty stuff. Don't know if it grows here, but in the 'dacks there was a certain plant that grows right alongside the nettles, with a broad leaf. It happens to be an anecdote--if you rub it on your skin the burning disspears quickly.