Photos; Directions; Print/PDF Map; Share; More; Green Lake to Blue Lake Loop off 250 is a 35.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Capulin, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Blue Lake Loop - South San Juan Wilderness. … Trek into the South San Juan Wilderness, and you’ll find what just might be the wildest place in Colorado. The last known grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in the wilderness in 1979. There are countless multi-day tours to choose from in the Weminuche that range from very popular, to areas that see very little human traffic. The last known grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in the wilderness in 1979. You've chosen well! BLM Maps: 12 Colorado Southwest regions $ 8.00. Blue Lake Trail is a 10.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. A short-cut, thought to be simpler, was chosen with a rendezvous at Forty-Mile Spring, south of the town of Escalante. Gallery. The doubletrack ends at this open hilltop, a perfect resting spot. Situated in the south east corner of the wilderness, this 22.2 mile hike in the Conejos Peak (pronounced coe-NAY-hoes) area offers a mix of wooded valleys, alpine meadows and huge herd of elk. There are 9 moderate trails in South San Juan Wilderness ranging from 3.8 to 10.2 miles and from 7,936 to 12,165 feet above sea level. The lake lives up to its name - it supports a healthy cutthroat trout population thanks to its depth, adequate drainage area, and remoteness. A 4 day backpacking adventure into Colorado's South San Juan Wilderness. From the Hunchback Pass TH,  follow the Continental Divide Trail south (813) up and over Hunchback Pass, to Nebo Creek. National Geographic Map: Durango … Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. Old Spanish National Historic Trail through southwestern Colorado There are countless multi-day tours to choose from in the Weminuche that range from very popular, to areas that see very little human traffic. I left from the Beartown trailhead, hiked south along the Continental Divide Trail for a couple days until reaching the area of Flint Lakes and Rock Lake. SOUTH SAN JUANS. Fine views of Strom King peak from the CDT. Upon reaching the lakes, the route departs from the CDT (813). Courthouse Mountain is an exceptionally striking peak south of Owl Creek Pass in the Cimarron Mountains sub-range of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. However, for more casual travelers, one can enjoy the wonderful forests that are almost park-like in their leisurely beauty. Wilderness Areas: San Juan National Forest encompasses 4 Wilderness areas which make the perfect backpacking experience. Backpack - Red Lake in the South San Juan Wilderness - June 2013 Colorado Backpackers and the New Mexico Backpackers As such, this consistently remains the most current and accurate wilderness dataset available online. Make sure to follow the CDT (813) east, up the Nebo Creek drainage. Take the threat of lighting into careful consideration. South San Juan. Updates. Situated south of Platoro Reservoir, this 17.7 mile hike offers a mix of wooded valleys, alpine meadows and a an exhilerating stretch of the Continental Divide Trail. Red Lake Trail is a 6.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Chromo, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. More. Ruybalid Trail is a 9.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Antonito, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. From here, head downhill off-trail to the right (west). The two National Historic Sites within the state of Colorado are: . 3.1 miles to where the trail intersects the CDT (655) at Nebo Creek, closing the loop. You can find the trails along USFS Road 250. Be sure to pick up the Rock Creek Trail (655) continuing south towards Rock Lake. View of valley from Wolf Creek Pass in the San Juan Mountains of south central Colorado USA. Home. Courtesy of Jack Brauer. Turkey Lake (Weminuche Wilderness) Rating: Difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and horses and is best used from April until October. Explore. If the expedition chose either route used by the scouts, it would mean a trip of nearly 500 miles (800 km). Trailhead: 9200 feet. The tour detailed below is a true San Juan wilderness experience. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta; Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Chivington; National Historic Trails. Reflection of Peters Peak (13,122') in Rock Lake. The San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is in the San Juan Islands of the Salish Sea, north of Puget Sound, in the State of Washington. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta; Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Chivington; National Historic Trails. Turkey Lake (Weminuche Wilderness) Rating: Difficult. This is a list of the largest wilderness areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States. The trailhead for Crater Lake is a fair distance off any major highway - roughly 18 miles off of US Highway 160 - in close proximity to relatively unknown Elwood Pass (Forest Road 380). › South San Juan Wilderness › Green Lake to Blue Lake Loop off 250. More frequent updates occur as needed to add newly designated or expanded areas. Highland Mary Lakes. South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado Maybe not as famous as the larger Weminuche Wilderness, the 158,790 acre South San Juan Wilderness of the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests offers of 180 miles of trails, including 42 miles along the Continental Divide. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Our StoryTeamBlogPartnersCommunity SupportEventsContactLocationHours, ApparelShoesCampingBackpackingClimbingSkiingSki BootsSki RentalsBoot-FittingOn SaleShop, CAICDurango NordicFriends of the San JuansGreat Old BroadsKnow the Snow FundMountain Studies InstituteSan Juan Citizens AllianceTrails 2000Vallecito Nordic Club, Pine Needle Mountaineering, 835 Main Avenue, Durango, CO, 81301, United States, Backpacking: Rock Lake Loop | by Stephen Eginoire. This page offers a map and GPS tracks of the entire wilderness. No need to register, buy now! Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. If the expedition chose either route used by the scouts, it would mean a trip of nearly 500 miles (800 km). SOUTH SAN JUANS. Within 200 yards you'll hit the boundary fence for the South San Juan Wilderness Area which you'll follow north to re-connect with the main trail. You've chosen well! July 2010 | San Juan Mountains, Colorado After another fun 4th of July in Ouray, I went on a 5-day backpacking loop in the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Gain: 3,380 ft (1 way), 4,860 ft (round trip) Lake: 11,150 feet. Blog. Trailhead: 9200 feet. The large islands of San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, and Shaw make up more than 80 percent of the landmass. The four National Historic Trails that pass through the state of Colorado are: . The divide crosses the heart of the South San Juan Wilderness for 42 miles. Few can compare to its historical and cultural importance going back 250 years - from the lives of the indigenous peoples to the very first wine-making in California. Blue Lake Trail is a 10.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. From here, head downhill off-trail to the right (west). Bear north on the Vallecito trail (529) for appx. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service. More. The two National Historic Sites within the state of Colorado are: . The South San Juan Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the San Juan National Forest, east of Pagosa Springs, in southern Colorado. Statistics are as retrieved in September 2009 from Wilderness.net. The forest covers most of the southern portion of the San Juan Mountains west of the Continental Divide. Many call the South San Juan Wilderness Colorado's wildest corner. It is something you do and the inevitability of it sweeps you along. As such, this consistently remains the most current and accurate wilderness dataset available online. A view of Twin Lakes. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from April until October. TBL005 Blue Lake Loop, South San Juan Wilderness, CO. Distance: 16.8 miles (out and back) Elevation. Some believe that it is still home to a few grizzlies, but there is no sufficient evidence yet to prove this. Distance: 16.8 miles (out and back) Elevation. TBL005 › South San Juan Wilderness › Green Lake to Blue Lake Loop off 250. South San Juan. Walking distance from the car park is the Hunchback Pass trailhead. Wilderness Connect maintains and updates wilderness boundary data annually using official national agency wilderness GIS sources and acreage data from agency Realty Offices. A site at the mouth of Montezuma Creek on the San Juan River was selected, but a viable route was still uncertain. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Uniquely shaped and with over 1,000 feet of vertical prominence, Courthouse Mountain strikes quite the figure across the skyline and is easy to distinguish from its neighbors. Explore. Situated in the south east corner of the wilderness, this 22.2 mile hike in the Conejos Peak (pronounced coe-NAY-hoes) area offers a mix of wooded valleys, alpine meadows and huge herd of elk. San Juan Capistrano and it’s famous Mission include some of the most unique and beautiful sites in all of California. Protected Since 1980|160,999 acres| Near Pagosa Springs. The four National Historic Trails that pass through the state of Colorado are: . Dogs are also able to use this trail. National Geographic Map: Weminuche Wilderness Map #140 $ 14.95. The most iconic and spectacular landscapes in the San Juan Mountains deserve protection. July 2010 | San Juan Mountains, Colorado After another fun 4th of July in Ouray, I went on a 5-day backpacking loop in the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The Lake … It begins at the South Fork Trailhead on FR 250, follows the South Fork, Canon Rincon and Roaring Gulch Trails. San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act. Green Lake to Blue Lake Loop off 250. hard (3) South San Juan Wilderness. There is road access there, but to get as close as possible to the headwaters you are looking at some hiking through the South San Juan Wilderness. The South San Juan Wilderness encompasses the southeastern extent of the San Juan Mountain Range, including a segment of the Continental Divide. Find the perfect weminuche wilderness stock photo. The San Juan Mountains are roughly the size of the Swiss Alps, including the spectacular 499,771  acre Weminuche Wilderness- Colorado's largest designated wilderness area. The tarn possesses a unique teal hue and is home to some good-sized native cutthroat, which can be easily seen feeding in the shallow, log-choked outlet. The most iconic and spectacular landscapes in the San Juan Mountains deserve protection. My father-in-law Dave, and I planned to hike this 18.5 mile loop very casually over 3 days from September 9 - 11, 2013. Be ready for a few hours of backcountry driving to access the trailhead. -- Bohannon Lake to Billy Creek * Ouachita Trail Loops-- Billy Creek Trail-- Boardstand Trail-- Holson Valley Loop-- Horse Thief Springs Trail-- Old Military Road Trail-- Talimena-Bohannon Loop Other Ouachita Hikes-- Beech Creek Trails *-- Black Fork Trail *-- Buckeye Trail-- Caney Creek Trail-- Cossatot River Trail *-- Eagle Rock Loop Photos; Directions; Print/PDF Map; Share; More; Green Lake to Blue Lake Loop off 250 is a 35.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Capulin, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This bill would expand wilderness designations and safeguard beloved high country destinations, like Ice Lake Basin, from future mining. Old Spanish National Historic Trail through southwestern Colorado This trail near the town of Silverton is popular, and for good reason. It begins at the South Fork Trailhead on FR 250, follows the South Fork, Canon Rincon and Roaring Gulch Trails. Of the rest of the land, much of it wave-drenched, 83 pieces are included in the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for gulls, cormorants, guillemots, puffins, brants, oystercatchers, auklets, bald eagles, and harbor seals. Drive FS 506 passing the Beartown site (you may encounter a spot or two of 4WD here) eventually arriving at Kite Lake and the road's end. From the top of the pass descend into the Rock Creek drainage, following Rock Creek trial (655) for approximately 5.7 miles until intersecting with Vallecito trail (529) at the bottom of the valley. San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act. The South San Juan Mountains spans 160,000+ acres that include steep slopes, high peaks and cliffs, 32 lakes, and turbulent rivers. Some believe that it is still home to a few grizzlies, but there is … Locate Rock Creek trail (655) bearing south towards a high pass. The San Juan Mountains are roughly the size of the Swiss Alps, including the spectacular 499,771 acre Weminuche Wilderness- Colorado's largest designated wilderness area. Wilderness Areas: San Juan National Forest encompasses 4 Wilderness areas which make the perfect backpacking experience. Tundra and marshlands surrounding West Ute lake. Courtesy of Jack Brauer. Visiting the South San Juan Wilderness *NOTE* The trail from Hunchback Pass TH to Rock Lake is consistently above 11,500 feet. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! The wilderness boundary extends from south of Hwy 160 to just north of Hwy 17. It includes all that are larger than 50,000 acres (200 km²). Planning a backpacking trip to the Durango area this summer? Large portions of these mountains are protected within the Weminuche Wilderness and Uncompaghre Wilderness … The broader San Juan Mountains consist of numerous sub-ranges including the remarkable Sneffels Range, Grenadier Range, Needle Mountains, San Miguel Range, and more. Where instances of multiple states or agencies occur, they are listed in descending order of included acreage. The forest contains two alpine wilderness areas; the Weminuche and South San Juan, as well as the Piedra Area. Max: 11,940 feet. Wilderness Connect maintains and updates wilderness boundary data annually using official national agency wilderness GIS sources and acreage data from agency Realty Offices. More frequent updates occur as needed to add newly designated or expanded areas. There is some road access above the reservoir, but to get to the headwater creeks, you will need to hike into the South San Juan Wilderness. While my mind is strangely unforthcoming with answers as to why I’m doing this three-day backpack into the South San Juan Wilderness, this journey too, has had for me a kind of inevitability. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passes through the National Forest. True, the landscape here, one broken volcanic peaks and cliffs, poses a formidable barrier to travel, but the overriding reason for this reputation resides in the probable presence of one critter - the ("griz"). A site at the mouth of Montezuma Creek on the San Juan River was selected, but a viable route was still uncertain. Statistics are as retrieved in September 2009 from Wilderness.net. Rock Lake is a lake inside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo: Jason Hatfield. Conejos Peak Loop, South San Juan Wilderness, CO. A sobering uneasiness about your place in the local food chain notwithstanding, you can trek an incredible 26-mile circle route by stitching together five trails within this 158,790-acre wilderness. Looking across the Continental Divide in the Weminuche Wilderness. From FS 520, locate FS 506, heading south into Bear Creek. hiking forest views wildlife wild-flowers nature-trips walking lake trail-running dogs-leash river Motor Vehicle Use Map: Pagosa Ranger District $ 0.00. A sobering uneasiness about your place in the local food chain notwithstanding, you can trek an incredible 26-mile circle route by stitching together five trails within this 158,790-acre wilderness. I left from the Beartown trailhead, hiked south along the Continental Divide Trail for a couple days until reaching the area of Flint Lakes and Rock Lake. It begins at the Three Forks Trailhead at the south end of FR 247 and follows the Conejos River, El Rito Azul, Continental Divide and Middle Fork Trails. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from April until October. The section of the CDT brings you to the Colorado/New Mexico border and includes Wolf Creek Pass. [citation needed], A mountain the wilderness area at the confluence of the Conejos and South Fork Conejos rivers, 66 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Yanks Gulch/Upper Greasewood Creek Natural Area, Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_San_Juan_Wilderness&oldid=960191516, Protected areas of Archuleta County, Colorado, Protected areas of Conejos County, Colorado, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 1 June 2020, at 16:16. The divide crosses the heart of the South San Juan Wilderness for 42 miles. South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado Maybe not as famous as the larger Weminuche Wilderness, the 158,790 acre South San Juan Wilderness of the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests offers of 180 miles of trails, including 42 miles along the Continental Divide. Once you exit the Nebo Creek drainage, continue on the CDT (813) for approximately 7 miles to Twin Lakes. Lake Fork is another good spot to try your luck, as it is designated Wild Trout waters from the headwaters all the way to Rock Lake/Big Lake. National Geographic Map: Pagosa Springs Bayfield Map $ 14.95. Note: The CDT (813) branches off to the east at Twin Lakes. Photo: Jason Hatfield. The Lake … We camped at Blue Lake the first night, then wanted to camp in the vicinity of Lake Ann on day two. Looking across the Continental Divide in the Weminuche Wilderness. Protected Since 1980|160,999 acres| Near Pagosa Springs. 4. The San Juan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,878,846 acres (2,935.7 sq mi, or 7,603.42 km²) in western Colorado.The forest occupies land in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties. There is some road access above the reservoir, but to get to the headwater creeks, you will need to hike into the South San Juan Wilderness. San Juan National Forest Colorado’s largest wilderness area is the Weminuche, 500,000 acres, an area so vast you can only nibble at the edges without an … Where instances of multiple states or agencies occur, they are listed in descending order of included acreage. The wilderness area contains: 32 lakes; many peaks above 13,000 feet (4,000 m), the highest of which is Summit Peak at 13,307 feet; and 180 miles (290 km) of hiking trails, that includes 42 miles (68 km) of the Continental Divide Trail. Gain: 3,380 ft (1 way), 4,860 ft (round trip) Lake: 11,150 feet. Lake Fork The Lake Fork of the Conejos is Wild Trout water from its headwaters through and including Big Lake and Rock Lake. But there isn’t any way to second guess giving birth. The South Fork Trail culminates at Blue Lake beneath the Divide, where you can peer west to the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant (site of the '79 grizzly encounter). South San Juan Wilderness, CO 1/11 Tucked deep within a glacial bowl beneath two rugged 13,000-foot peaks, Crater Lake is one of the more accessible subalpine lakes in the Southern San Juans. from Bernard Wolf. The section of the CDT brings you to the Colorado/New Mexico border and includes Wolf Creek Pass. This page offers a map and GPS tracks of the entire wilderness. The doubletrack ends at this open hilltop, a perfect resting spot. Nestled deep in the South San Juan Wilderness near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Fish Lake is a beautiful, deep glacier tarn located just below the Continental Divide in the headwaters of the Blanco River. Within 200 yards you'll hit the boundary fence for the South San Juan Wilderness Area which you'll follow north to re-connect with the main trail. Blog. Home. This bill would expand wilderness designations and safeguard beloved high country destinations, like Ice Lake Basin, from future mining. Continue north on the CDT (655) back over Hunchback Pass for 2.5 miles to the cars. It borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. The United States Congress designated the South San Juan Wilderness (map) in 1980 and it now has a total of 160,998 acres. The South San Juan wilderness is located in southern Colorado near the towns of Pagosa Springs, South Fork, and Antonito. Max: 11,940 feet. Blue Lake. You can drive to 10,856 feet above Wolf Creek Pass and walk a short distance into the wilderness high on the Continental Divide. Hiking Colorado’s Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas: A Guide to the Area’s Greatest Hiking Adventures $ 24.95. Originally designated as wilderness by Congress in 1980, it is a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System and now maintains 158,790 acres. The South San Juan Mountains spans 160,000+ acres that include steep slopes, high peaks and cliffs, 32 lakes, and turbulent rivers. You'll have to find your way to Rio Grande Reservoir Road (FS 520), either by way of Silverton or Creede. The Fossil Ridge Wilderness near Gunnison is so-named because remains of ancient sea creatures have been found in the rock 13,000 above sea level. The South San Juan Wilderness features rough and harsh terrain such as sharp peaks rising up to 13,000 feet and high cliffs that are challenging, if possible, to traverse. 7 years ago . Green Lake to Blue Lake Loop off 250. hard (3) South San Juan Wilderness. The San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is in the San Juan Islands of the Salish Sea, north of Puget Sound, in the State of Washington.Created in 1976, it comprises 83 small, uninhabited islands, scattered throughout the San Juans, with a combined area of approximately 454 acres (1.84 km 2).The Refuge is managed by the U.S. One such hidden gem is (yet another) Crater Lake, tucked away in the South San Juan Wilderness - an area labeled by many as "Colorado's wildest corner". Access to the wilderness is mainly from the north via Hwy 160 or from the east through the town of Antonito. Looking into the headwaters of Rock Creek, above Twin Lakes. Updates. This is a list of the largest wilderness areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States. The South Fork Trail culminates at Blue Lake beneath the Divide, where you can peer west to the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant (site of the '79 grizzly encounter). Click here for up-to-date weather forecast. Camp perched above Rock Creek, and not a soul to be seen. Lake Fork The Lake Fork of the Conejos is Wild Trout water from its headwaters through and including Big Lake and Rock Lake. The South San Juan Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the San Juan National Forest, east of Pagosa Springs, in southern Colorado .[2]. Blue Lake. Conejos Peak Loop, South San Juan Wilderness, CO. Trek into the South San Juan Wilderness, and you’ll find what just might be the wildest place in Colorado. Gallery. A short-cut, thought to be simpler, was chosen with a rendezvous at Forty-Mile Spring, south of the town of Escalante. Created in 1976, it comprises 83 small, uninhabited islands, scattered throughout the San Juans, with a combined area of approximately 454 acres (1.84 km 2). It includes all that are larger than 50,000 acres (200 km²). , continue on the trail intersects the CDT ( 813 ) branches off to the Durango area this?. 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