So a friend and I booked a trip to the San Juans awhile back. We are arriving in Durango on July 1st and are heading out July 7th. We are training for the Tahoe 200 race in September and our plan was to fastpack the Hardrock 100 course over 3 days as training. Due to snow, debris, etc. this does not seem very doable.
We are trying to re-plan our trip and would really appreciate some advice and or direction.
As of right now, we are planning on doing Handies one day and then Sunshine/Redcloud the next but this is all we really have "set" (We are also considering driving to San Luis and giving that a shot at some point).
We were also hoping to do some longer hikes during the trip and aren't opposed to doing a 2 day (40-60) mile route and just crashing on the trail. Are there any longer hikes/loops/areas that you would all recommend, or do you think we will need to stick to shorter routes due to the flooding, debris etc?
Any shorter hikes around Handies for when we finish the climb?
Also, aside from hiking, we are looking to have some fun too, any places you would recommend in any of the towns?
I know this is pretty general but we would really appreciate your help. In advance, thanks...
Assistance re-planning trip
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puzzleman_1
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nunns
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
It is my understanding that the road is open to the trailheads for Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn. Climbing both in one day is a good training day. Climbing both in one day from West Cimarron or Nellie Creek would be a VERY good training day. Wetterhorn is strong class 3 so that may or may not fit your wheelhouse.
Sean Nunn
Sean Nunn
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
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gorshkov
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
You could tack on the two unnamed centennials next to Sunshine and Redcloud; doing all four peaks in one day is a total of about 17 miles and ~6.5k vertical. Route description here: https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=2 ... type=13ers. You're off-trail once you leave the saddle between Redcloud and UN13561, and I don't know how it is when there's snow, but it's pretty straightforward class 1/2 when dry. If you wanted a really long day and the weather holds, you could add Handies from Grizzly gulch.
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TravelingMatt
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
viewtopic.php?t=56065&p=687048#p686921nunns wrote: ↑Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:22 am It is my understanding that the road is open to the trailheads for Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn. Climbing both in one day is a good training day. Climbing both in one day from West Cimarron or Nellie Creek would be a VERY good training day. Wetterhorn is strong class 3 so that may or may not fit your wheelhouse.
You can reach the turnoff from the Engineer Pass Road to the road that eventually reaches Matterhorn Creek, but you cannot yet drive up North Henson Creek, much less Matterhorn Creek.
For the OP, I'd look into doing part of the CDT with a car shuttle.
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
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wyyld
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
I 2nd Uncompahgre. If you started from the 2wd TH it’s a pretty long hike that’s perfect to get the blood flowing.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." - John Muir
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nunns
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
Sorry, Matt is right. I misread San Juan Ron's last update and missed the part about N. Henson Creek Road still being closed.TravelingMatt wrote: ↑Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:43 pmviewtopic.php?t=56065&p=687048#p686921nunns wrote: ↑Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:22 am It is my understanding that the road is open to the trailheads for Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn. Climbing both in one day is a good training day. Climbing both in one day from West Cimarron or Nellie Creek would be a VERY good training day. Wetterhorn is strong class 3 so that may or may not fit your wheelhouse.
You can reach the turnoff from the Engineer Pass Road to the road that eventually reaches Matterhorn Creek, but you cannot yet drive up North Henson Creek, much less Matterhorn Creek.
Sean Nunn
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
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Bethie
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
You could do a long 2 dayer on the Pine River Trail by Vallecito Reservoir outside of Durango. Trailhead is accessible and trail should be ok.
Beth
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
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randalmartin
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
You could head down into New Mexico. Lot's of big loops you could make in the Pecos Wilderness including this Gem
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new- ... cking-trip
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new- ... cking-trip
Re: Assistance re-planning trip
or for slightly easier, add Sundog to Sunshine and Redcloud.gorshkov wrote: ↑Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:42 am You could tack on the two unnamed centennials next to Sunshine and Redcloud; doing all four peaks in one day is a total of about 17 miles and ~6.5k vertical. Route description here: https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=2 ... type=13ers. You're off-trail once you leave the saddle between Redcloud and UN13561, and I don't know how it is when there's snow, but it's pretty straightforward class 1/2 when dry. If you wanted a really long day and the weather holds, you could add Handies from Grizzly gulch.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
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puzzleman_1
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
Thank you all for the input!
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puzzleman_1
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Re: Assistance re-planning trip
Again, thank you all for the input!
First trip to Co is done and was mostly a success. Here is what we ended up doing in lieu of the "hardrock Loop":
Landed in Durango Monday, trail ran/ hiked the Elbert Creek trail up to Castle Rock, drove up near Silverton, set up camp about a half mile down from the ice lakes trailhead. Did another 5 mile hike or so up towards clear lake.
Tuesday: Hiked up to ice lake and then Island lake. Lots of snow, especially from Ice lakes to Island lakes. Drove up to bear creek trail, after about 3 miles there was a spot that was really washed away with little room for error so ended up turning around from there. Bear creek trail was pretty awesome overall. Camped outside of Ouray.
Wednesday: Trail ran Ouray Perimter trail and then took the "Old twin peaks" trail up to the top. Thought this was the toughest climb out of anything we did. Drove to Grizzly Gultch, set up camp
Thursday: Climbed Handies, ran down Did a 5 mile run on the alpine loop.
Friday: Climbed Redcloud plus Sunshine Plus Redcloud again and ran the descent. Def my favorite climb. Drove back towards Durango and did an overnighter on the Pine River trail.
Sat: Finished hiking drove to Durango and hit then town for the night.
First time for me ever being above 10k feet (climbed Tallac in Tahoe once) and was really surprised how the altitude messed with me on the first day and a half or so. During the Elbert Creek trail head was killing me and i was completed winded the whole time at what I would generally consider a not so hard effort. The driving around was a little much as well but overall it was a blast and I could see how climbing 14ers could be very addicting!
First trip to Co is done and was mostly a success. Here is what we ended up doing in lieu of the "hardrock Loop":
Landed in Durango Monday, trail ran/ hiked the Elbert Creek trail up to Castle Rock, drove up near Silverton, set up camp about a half mile down from the ice lakes trailhead. Did another 5 mile hike or so up towards clear lake.
Tuesday: Hiked up to ice lake and then Island lake. Lots of snow, especially from Ice lakes to Island lakes. Drove up to bear creek trail, after about 3 miles there was a spot that was really washed away with little room for error so ended up turning around from there. Bear creek trail was pretty awesome overall. Camped outside of Ouray.
Wednesday: Trail ran Ouray Perimter trail and then took the "Old twin peaks" trail up to the top. Thought this was the toughest climb out of anything we did. Drove to Grizzly Gultch, set up camp
Thursday: Climbed Handies, ran down Did a 5 mile run on the alpine loop.
Friday: Climbed Redcloud plus Sunshine Plus Redcloud again and ran the descent. Def my favorite climb. Drove back towards Durango and did an overnighter on the Pine River trail.
Sat: Finished hiking drove to Durango and hit then town for the night.
First time for me ever being above 10k feet (climbed Tallac in Tahoe once) and was really surprised how the altitude messed with me on the first day and a half or so. During the Elbert Creek trail head was killing me and i was completed winded the whole time at what I would generally consider a not so hard effort. The driving around was a little much as well but overall it was a blast and I could see how climbing 14ers could be very addicting!
