You can drive up to the old mining camp/ghost town of Summitville about 20 miles or so south of South Fork. It's a beautiful drive up there and there should be plenty of wildflowers this time of year.
The South Fork Logger Days Festival will be happening in about a week.
If you get a chance, drive on up to Creede and have a look around. I really enjoy that that area.
Good suggestions from John. If you go to Summitville, take a bit of time to head up to the Schinzel Flats and Elwood Pass area, only a few miles away. Awesome area. If you are looking for a great hike, Crater Lake is fun, up and over the Continental Divide (see that last link).
Creede is a must, great little town, lots of history, arts, shops etc. The Bachelor Loop is a fun and old mine filled drive. If you head to Creede, you must drive west on 149 about half hour, and stop by North Clear Creek Falls. Easy access, incredible scene.
If you are looking for a 4wd adventure ending in great scenery, think about heading to Wheeler Geologic Area. Amazing place, most unique thing you would see on the trip! Do some web searching about the road conditions first though, and don't attempt if there has been any recent heavy rains! Here is one pretty good description of the route, even if there drive times seem quite exaggerated to me. Maybe others can chime in on that subject.
Have fun. Its a great area to explore!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 13, 2011 at 1:32 AM
Great suggestions so far. Taking up on Brent's route, if you're in the mood for a nice day trip, keep heading north on 149 over Slumgullion pass and down into Lake City. Another great mining town - the eastern gateway to the alpine loop. I saw some areas on both sides of Slumgullion on a recent motorcycle trip that looked like great candidates for fall color as well as wildflowers, although I've never been up there during wildflower season.
Of course Wolf Creek pass has some great trailheads and roads to explore.
Have fun!
Discussion
4 repliesThe South Fork Logger Days Festival will be happening in about a week.
If you get a chance, drive on up to Creede and have a look around. I really enjoy that that area.
Creede is a must, great little town, lots of history, arts, shops etc. The Bachelor Loop is a fun and old mine filled drive. If you head to Creede, you must drive west on 149 about half hour, and stop by North Clear Creek Falls. Easy access, incredible scene.
If you are looking for a 4wd adventure ending in great scenery, think about heading to Wheeler Geologic Area. Amazing place, most unique thing you would see on the trip! Do some web searching about the road conditions first though, and don't attempt if there has been any recent heavy rains! Here is one pretty good description of the route, even if there drive times seem quite exaggerated to me. Maybe others can chime in on that subject.
Have fun. Its a great area to explore!
Of course Wolf Creek pass has some great trailheads and roads to explore.
Have fun!