San Juan Suggestions

Since most of the forests in New Mexico are still off-limits due to the fire danger, I'll soon be heading up to the Silverton/Ridgway areas for about 5 days to get some R&R. I plan to poke around Ice Lakes Basin and Clear Lake and also the Blue Lakes. Can anyone recommend other locations to photograph in that general area?

Also, can anyone recommend areas for free camping near Silverton? I'll be towing a 15' pop-up with very high ground clearance and a universal-joint hitch so I can get in to places others with trailers can't go (USFS roads, etc.). Plan to camp at the Blue Lakes trail head up County Rd 7 but I'm not as familiar with the Silverton area. Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks!!

Phil,
The Mineral Creek road into Clear Lake/Ice Lake Basin has camping areas. If you were to pull the trailer up to clear lake, you can camp up there. The is one or two spots you could put a small trailer. I've also found spots around Molas Pass.

Have fun!

I'll second Kalin's suggestion. Best to arrive by mid-morning to early afternoon to score the better ones.

Tow a trailer up to Clear Lake??!!?? I think I'll pass on that one!!

I know there's a NFS campground at the end of the Mineral Creek road by the Ice Lakes trail head. Is there other (free) camping along the Mineral Creek road?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Phil, when I was at Clear Lake last July, a family in a Jeep Cherokee towed a 5x8 U-Haul cargo trailer for their gear and dog kennel up to the lake.

when I was at Clear Lake last July, a family in a Jeep Cherokee towed a 5x8 U-Haul cargo trailer for their gear and dog kennel up to the lake.

Wow! Last time I was up there was several years ago and I seem to remember the road being very narrow in a couple places. I get pretty nervous on roads like that. I just can't imagine towing a trailer up there! Perhaps I'll unhook, drive up and check it out and then decide. Or maybe just grow some cahones!

Phil, there are 3 huge parking/camping areas along the Mineral Creek Road. All 3 areas reside within 1-2 miles from the 550 turnoff. If you don't mind a massive flat, dirt area with hords of other trailers then this is the place for you. I have no idea if you have to pay for the lot, however expect to pay. It's a certainly a "known" place but all in all the Mineral Creek area is the perfect central location for a long stay.

BTW, do a little research and discover the high trailhead to Ice Lakes Basin. It's a major switchback/along the Clear Lake Road. Everyone knows about it already, and it has enough spots for about 6-8 cars/trucks.... MAX. The vertical gain it saves you from the lowe TH to Ice Lakes is substantial. I have to admit that I've had many smirks of happiness seeing the sweaty, already tired visitors meeting me at the upper TH because they had to start their day at the lower TH.. Get there EARLY. Remember many already park here for overnight camping up in Ice Lakes so you're looking at maybe 3-4 car spots from 3:00am to 4:30 am. After that it will be tight. I think it saves you close to 700-ft of vertical gain. For most people that's about an hour of hiking.

Good Luck and can't wait to see your shots!!!

Phil, as i recall, there was only one rocky spot close to the lake that one needed to go slow.
There was also a couple that drove their BMW to the falls, which was more surprising. They did not drive any further up than the falls though.

there's a diffrence between tow and drag

BTW, do a little research and discover the high trailhead to Ice Lakes Basin

This TH does save a bit of sweat. However, be aware that it requires crossing a creek at a waterfall. During high spring runoff or thunderstorms, this can be dicey. I've hiked up in the morning, only to find flash flood conditions on my return, after a particularly nasty gully washer.

Note a few years ago a teen was washed over the falls and killed during a summer hike with his family.

Fortunately, the creek/falls crossing is just a short distance from the road, so if the water is high, you haven't lost much time.

there's a diffrence between tow and drag

Little Molas Lake has free camping...up to 14 days. I saw some RV's in there a couple days ago. Yankee Boy Basin is about to come alive in the next few days...good luck!

Yankee Boy Basin is about to come alive in the next few days...good luck!

Awesome! I'll be there in a few! Aren't there a couple campgrounds down low on the YBB road??

I've seen a couple campers down lower on YBB but I've never checked them out. There is a sign on YBB road thay says no camping beyond this point...somewhere around 3-4 miles in.