Days 23-27: August 11-14
Drive
to Oury/Bear Creek and Horsethief Trails (Uncompahgre Wilderness)
Distance:
~20 miles Overall Total
Distance: 453 miles
Highlights:
Mayflower Mill near Silverton, beautiful scenery on Highway 550, Pizza in
Ouray, Comfort Inn’s comfort and breakfast, Bear Creek National Recreation
Trail, cliffs above Bear Creek, Grizzly Bear and
Yellow Jacket mines, Uncompahgre Wilderness, Horsethief Trail, Wildhorse Peak,
sheep, beautiful scenery above treeline, climbs to high alpine passes, Bridge
of Heaven, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Campsites:
23.
Comfort Inn (Ouray)
24.
Yellow Jacket Mine
25.
near Dexter Creek
26.
Comfort Inn (Ouray)
27.
Grand Junction
Comments:
As mentioned earlier the Mayflower Mill was very interesting. Here’s some additional information about it: http://touramericastreasures.blogspot.com/2012/05/mayflower-gold-mill.html
As mentioned earlier the Mayflower Mill was very interesting. Here’s some additional information about it: http://touramericastreasures.blogspot.com/2012/05/mayflower-gold-mill.html
Mayflower Mill
Arrastra Basin
Ouray is known as the Switzerland of America. We found some good pizza to eat. The breakfast at the Comfort Inn was exceptional with lots of options.
My dad and I had originally planned to hike the 4 pass loop near Aspen around the Maroon Bells. After he discovered it had over 10,000 feet of elevation gain, he reconsidered and decided that this near loop near Ouray would still be spectacular but somewhat easier.
This is where I think my dad got the idea for the route: http://www.mountainphotography.com/gallery/ouray-uncompahgre-loop/
While probably easier than the 4 Pass Loop, this was still quite the climb. Right away the trail climbs some 2000 feet up to the mines in four miles. While on the way, I believe a random coincidence. I think I saw Onion, the guy who gave me a ride from Lake City to Spring Creek Pass, out running with his dog. He looked like he was having an intense run so I didn’t want to interrupt him, but if so, I wish I would have said thanks again for the ride!
The Bear Creek Trail was unlike anything I saw on the Colorado Trail. The trail was simply blown out of a cliff with dynamite back in the day for the miners.
Bear Creek
At the Grizzly Bear Mine there was very deep mine shaft that was all locked up.
Grizzly Bear Mine
We arrived early, a little after noon, at the perfect campsite near Yellow Jacket mine. I soon fell asleep until 6. My dad took some pictures of a marmot in its hole. There was a bunkhouse still standing at the mine.
Yellow Jacket Mine
The next day we continued to climb up to the
Uncompahgre Wilderness. I’m so glad I had
the opportunity to visit this area.
Colorado just has so much to offer!
Uncompahgre Wilderness
Wildhorse Peak
After climbing another pass, we set up camp
near Dexter Creek. It was a beautiful
campsite and I took the time to climb up to higher peak to get an even bigger
view.
One of My Favorite Meals!
My dad wasn’t feeling all that well (maybe altitude
sickness and/or overexertion) so the next
day I did all I could to help him
lighten his pack.
We still had two big climbs, one to the
Bridge of Heaven which probably had the best
view on this entire loop.
Bridge of Heaven
After a 2000 foot descent we were soon met up
with my mom who was waiting on CR
14. My
backpacking adventure in Colorado was complete.
The next day we stopped in Montrose, CO
and I had the opportunity to visit a
national park I had never heard of, Black
Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. While
I
have never been to the Grand Canyon, this canyon certainly compares. It
just comes
steeply out of nowhere! We
visited the visitor center which had a very informative movie
and took in the
many lookouts from the road on the rim of the canyon.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Nice trip report! When you say you camped at Dexter Creek, did you mean Difficulty Creek? If so, do you think it would be hard to find good campsite options below treeline in that area? (it looks like you camped above treeline there)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think it must have been Difficulty Creek. It's been awhile, but I think you should probably be able to find camping options below treeline. Just make sure the trees don't fall on you!
DeleteThanks! Sounds like we'll plan on 2 nights and camp in the same approximate locations that you did. One more question---Did you just leave your vehicle at the Bear Creek parking lot? (i.e., do you have to do anything special for overnight parking there?)
DeleteBy they way, I like the Garibaldi lake photo at the top of your page... I need to go back there some day
My mom dropped my dad and me off and picked us up at the end so we didn't do a full loop. Yes, Panorama Ridge is one of my all-time favorites! As for the streams, I wouldn't expect you to have any issues, but I haven't been in the area again since I completed the hike.
DeleteOne more question: I'm assuming the streams marked on caltopo as solid blue lines---specifically, the upper branches of Difficulty Creek and Cascade Creek---will have water? In an average year I wouldn't worry so much, but it's been dry down there so we're probably several weeks ahead of schedule for snow melt compared to most years. You went in mid-August, so if your year was a typical year, I'm guessing I can assume similar (or slightly better) conditions for us next week.
ReplyDelete