Fall Colors in the San Juan Mountains

[IntrepidXJ]

Amanda and I headed down for what most likely is out last San Juan trip this year to check out the fall colors. While there were definitely some nice colors out in the mountains, it seems as though the peak of the season is still another weekend away. Since I will be in Moab next weekend with , this was our only chance.

On Saturday morning, our goal was to check out some of the trails just west of Ridgway, then make our way to Telluride via Last Dollar Road, and then hit up a few short trails on our way over to Silverton where we setup camp along South Mineral Creek. The skies did not cooperate with us very well this day, as there were numerous scattered storms in the area, so I did the best I could taking pictures with my P&S.

We started out along Dallas Creek

Mount Sneffels

Then we headed up to Box Factory Park

Passing through the Double RL Ranch

Box Factory Park

Last Dollar Road

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Cabins at the Alta townsite

Alta Lakes

Headed up into Gold King Basin

Small lake in Gold King Basin

JUst before the dead end on the way up to Gold King mine

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Headed over Ophir Pass

Dome Mountain from the beginning of Eureka Gulch

My Jeep and Emery Peak with what's left of Lake Emma (drained) below

Aspens in Eureka Gulch

Animas River near Arrastra Gulch with a tram above

 

[IntrepidXJ]

On Sunday morning we got up early and headed back through Silverton and up Cement Creek Road to Gladstone. From there, we headed up into Prospect Gulch.

Headed up Red Mountain #3 from Prospect Gulch

View down into Prospect Gulch

Red Mountain #3

Next we headed back to Gladstone and took a trail that looped around Cement Creek Gulch and met back up with Hurricane Pass.

Hurricane Pass on Brown Mountain

Lake Como and Poughkeepsie Gulch

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Once we reached Lake Como, we headed over California Pass and made our way to Animas Forks

Fresh snow on Hurricane Peak

California Gulch

Building at the Frisco Mine

Duncan residence in Animas Forks

Animas Forks

 

[IntrepidXJ]

From Animas Forks we headed up the North Fork Cutoff to Mineral Creek and took that to US 550, where we turned right and headed back home

View down onto Mineral Point

Aspens chaning along Mineral Creek

It was a great weekend....now to prepare myself for nine days in Moab starting next weekend

 

[Hammered]

I envy you so bad. "One day" aka years from now, i'm gonna elect (pay?) you to take me and the wife on a trail ride... if I can ever afford to get out there.

 

[Crabapple]

Wow great pictures.
In November I'm going up to Tellico and the Great Smokeys and plan on getting some great pictures of the colors!

 

[DrMoab]

I envy you so bad. "One day" aka years from now, i'm gonna elect (pay?) you to take me and the wife on a trail ride... if I can ever afford to get out there.

As far as you are away I would suggest flying out and renting a Jeep. There isn't a trail in that area that a rental JK wouldn't handle. I would bet it's cheaper then driving all that way.

 

[Mtb Jak]

love the pics... one day im going to drop everything when im outta college and just get in the jeep or w/e and drive to these places...

always a pleasure looking at your threads man

 

[whatevah]

I... hate... you. Man, am I jealous! Beautiful pics as always, thanks!

 

[Char-Broil]

see, this is what i wanted to take my wife to see on our honeymoon! if it hadn't been our honeymoon i would have tried to meet up with a naxja'r to show me around. i am so jealous of you westerners. you've just re-ignited my desire to move west. i'm sick of the east coast and all it's posted signs.

 

[blue95xj]

As far as you are away I would suggest flying out and renting a Jeep. There isn't a trail in that area that a rental JK wouldn't handle. I would bet it's cheaper then driving all that way.

It just wouldn't be the same in a JK, especially not your own.