Winfield: Hiking and Camping for Boy Scouts?

[rockchalker]

Thinking of taking a group of boy scouts and adults, maybe 15 of us, to Winfield for 4 days or so of camping and hiking. Any feedback on good camping spots and trails in that area? I know Huron is close by so we could take those who are ready up Huron. LaPlata from the SW side would be a bit to much for some of them. That said, it would be a great hike up to the SW Ridge trail head and into the valley below the peaks. I think there are also some neat alpine lakes would could hike to.
We've also considered a section or two of the CO Trail in that area but the logistics of staying in one place would be a lot easier.

Appreciate any help and suggestions.

[huffy13]

Winfield itself is a great camping area. The campground is just across an earth bridge on the south side of Clear Creek, which is a reliable water source year round. There are vault toilets and the area for camping is nice and open. I have camped there on more than one occasion and I have never seen it crowded, it's always pretty quiet and it's not unusual to see plenty of wildlife. Huron would be a good hike for the kids too. There is an old cemetery just up the road from Winfield if you hike towards LaPlata's alternate route and there is even a self-guided mining "museum" in Vicksburg just a few miles back to the east on the road to Winfield. Very pretty area and the hikes in that area don't necessarily have to be summit related to be enjoyable. Winfield is one of my favorite places to camp, as well as one of my kids' favorite places also.

[Mtnman200]

From the trailhead for Huron, you can take the Lake Ann trail to a beautiful alpine lake at 11,509'. There are great views of the Three Apostles along the way. You could hike to Lake Ann, eat lunch there and let the scouts recharge for a bit, and then hike back to camp.

[peter303]

The two days you may want to avoid are August 12, the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race, and August 18, the Leadville 100 running race. The bike race goes near the Winfield access road. The running race turnaround medical station is in Winfield. There could be a lot of support cars un the area on those dates.

http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com

[rockchalker]

Our plans would be to go right after July Fourth so we would miss the race. That said, it would be great to be there at that time and have the scouts help at the aid station turn around. Maybe we could do a hike up and back to Hope Pass so they could get a sense of what the runners have to go through. A day trip into Leadville would also be a great experience for them.

[rockchalker]

Looks look like another good option for a hike would be Hope Pass starting at Sheep Gulch.

[Mtnman200]

Looks look like another good option for a hike would be Hope Pass starting at Sheep Gulch.

Yes, and from the pass turn left and it's 0.9 mile and 1400' vertically to Mount Hope (13,933'). If you turn right at the pass, it's 0.6 mile and 920' to Quail Mtn (13,461'). Neither summit is difficult.

[rockchalker]

Thinking of hiking, with backpacks, from Winfield to the Huron trail head, dropping the packs, and then either doing Huron or Lake Ann. Are there good camping spots near the Huron/Lake Ann trail head?