This is my first time posting here and really enjoy the wealth of knowledge the members posses. I would like to call on that knowledge if I may at this point.
I am planning on making my first backpacking trip to the San Juans this month in hopes of capturing some of the wildflowers I have heard about. From what I have read and seen I plan on making a trip into the Needles Range, probably around Wisdom Peak and the Chicago Basin. I also plan on making a trip to Yankee Boy Basin. As far as the backpack trip goes, when would be the best time to visit? I know peak bloom can change from year to year depending on snow pack and current weather conditions, but based what you guys have seen this year, what would be your best guess as to peak bloom time this year? Also, are there any must seen areas in the Needles Range that could be incorporated into the backpacking trip? I plan on making ~40 mile trip.
I just got back from the San Juans. We did numerous long day hikes. The tundra flowers I saw right now are fantastic. The other flowers at slightly lower elevations are pretty good. I would say it will be an early year, like perhaps around or little after the 15th of July. Still not sure it will be a typical year with large consistent blooms. But there already is no excuse to that you can't find any decent flowers in the San Juans if you're willing to work.
Right now is great, and probably will be for the next month. We've been getting lots of rain down here the last five days... I'm sure the flowers are loving it!
Posted by Jason Woerly on July 6, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Andy,
I was in the San Juans this past weekend and Brian has pretty much said what I would have told you regarding the wildflower bloom. Are you planning on hiking along the Animas River to access the Needle Creek Trail into Chicago Basin or taking the train down to Needleton? My new favorite in the Silverton area (particularly for wildflowers) is Ice Lake Basin which is directly west of Silverton. I doubt you could link the two together but might consider it as a side trip.
Also, welcome to the forums (I am relatively new myself). I enjoyed looking at the images on your website. Looks like you have made the most of your time in Utah. Very interesting that you are from Macomb, I actually lived there back when I was in elementary school and still have a lot of family scattered around McDonough County (several WIU grads among them).
Thats good to hear! I am wanting to dedicate about a week to the area, most of that the backpacking trip which is going to limit when I can go. It looks like I can head down around the 24th of July for the extended trip, do you think that may be too late for peak bloom? The other option is leave in the next week or so.
Unfortunately I have to go to Chicago (the town not the basin!) for my cousins wedding the 20-23 of July. Apparently he dosent understand the wildflower situation and planned his wedding badly. He is actually moving to Colorado Springs after the wedding, but its almost a waste because he really dosent get out much and enjoy the outdoors.....
Hopefully the 24th wont be too late? I am looking to do a trip from Elk Park to Chicago Basin...
My speculation is that mid- to late July will all be good unless the dry heat spell returns and burns things out. I'm leaving for the southern mountains the 23rd and am going to guess that will be slightly past peak, but still good.
A few years back I took the train/backpack and went up No Name Creek and over to Ruby Lake. It's pobably the most memorable backpacking trip I've ever taken. The Needles are very specacular.
I'll second everyone's comments that right now there are plenty of wildflowers out and about, and plenty of thunderstorms to go with it. The columbine and paintbrush along the first mile of the Highland Mary trail are pretty impressive. After 11:30 am at Verde Lakes last weekend, it basically followed a cycle of storm for an hour, no storm for an hour or two, storm for an hour, no storm for an hour or two...all the way until late at night. It was somewhat frustrating in that I had hoped for some magic evening hour shots, but the storm clouds prevented much light from getting through from the west. But, then you wake up to sunny, spotless skies in the morning, and the cycle repeats. Nonetheless, we still found our way to several summits in the area for great views of the Grenadier Range. I didn't make it out with any
If you visit Verde Lakes, the unnamed 13002 summit directly to the west has a plethora of alpine sunflower at its summit if you're looking for interesting foreground matter for shots of Arrow and Vestal.
Bring bug spray, because there are quite a few mosquitos in the area right now, with all of the moisture that has been falling lately...while they were nowhere near the bloodthirsty level of what I grew up with in the midwest, they are still very numerous. We used cutter and had no problems with it on. No problem with biting flies though.
I plan on taking the train to the trailhead. I'm not sure yet where I will start yet, but I am leaning towards Elk Park in hopes that it might be a bit less crowded at that end, but that might just be wishful thinking.
Pretty small world that you lived in Macomb. I mention that is where I am from out here and no one has even heard of it, or WIU for that matter. It has been a while since I have been back home, and will be a while longer since I start a new job in Houston this December. Moving to Texas is some of the best motivation to get out and see as much as you can in the intermountain region before you move!
Discussion
8 repliesThis is my first time posting here and really enjoy the wealth of knowledge the members posses. I would like to call on that knowledge if I may at this point.
I am planning on making my first backpacking trip to the San Juans this month in hopes of capturing some of the wildflowers I have heard about. From what I have read and seen I plan on making a trip into the Needles Range, probably around Wisdom Peak and the Chicago Basin. I also plan on making a trip to Yankee Boy Basin. As far as the backpack trip goes, when would be the best time to visit? I know peak bloom can change from year to year depending on snow pack and current weather conditions, but based what you guys have seen this year, what would be your best guess as to peak bloom time this year? Also, are there any must seen areas in the Needles Range that could be incorporated into the backpacking trip? I plan on making ~40 mile trip.
Thanks!
Andy
I was in the San Juans this past weekend and Brian has pretty much said what I would have told you regarding the wildflower bloom. Are you planning on hiking along the Animas River to access the Needle Creek Trail into Chicago Basin or taking the train down to Needleton? My new favorite in the Silverton area (particularly for wildflowers) is Ice Lake Basin which is directly west of Silverton. I doubt you could link the two together but might consider it as a side trip.
Also, welcome to the forums (I am relatively new myself). I enjoyed looking at the images on your website. Looks like you have made the most of your time in Utah. Very interesting that you are from Macomb, I actually lived there back when I was in elementary school and still have a lot of family scattered around McDonough County (several WIU grads among them).
Unfortunately I have to go to Chicago (the town not the basin!) for my cousins wedding the 20-23 of July. Apparently he dosent understand the wildflower situation and planned his wedding badly. He is actually moving to Colorado Springs after the wedding, but its almost a waste because he really dosent get out much and enjoy the outdoors.....
Hopefully the 24th wont be too late? I am looking to do a trip from Elk Park to Chicago Basin...
Thanks
Andy
A few years back I took the train/backpack and went up No Name Creek and over to Ruby Lake. It's pobably the most memorable backpacking trip I've ever taken. The Needles are very specacular.
If you visit Verde Lakes, the unnamed 13002 summit directly to the west has a plethora of alpine sunflower at its summit if you're looking for interesting foreground matter for shots of Arrow and Vestal.
Bring bug spray, because there are quite a few mosquitos in the area right now, with all of the moisture that has been falling lately...while they were nowhere near the bloodthirsty level of what I grew up with in the midwest, they are still very numerous. We used cutter and had no problems with it on. No problem with biting flies though.
I plan on taking the train to the trailhead. I'm not sure yet where I will start yet, but I am leaning towards Elk Park in hopes that it might be a bit less crowded at that end, but that might just be wishful thinking.
Pretty small world that you lived in Macomb. I mention that is where I am from out here and no one has even heard of it, or WIU for that matter. It has been a while since I have been back home, and will be a while longer since I start a new job in Houston this December. Moving to Texas is some of the best motivation to get out and see as much as you can in the intermountain region before you move!
Thanks all for your input!
Andy