Looking for new adventures off Independence Pass + dispersed camping nearby?

[jibler]

Will be easy for me to do something new on Ind. Pass - as I've only done La Plata and stuff off the top of the pass.


Looking hard at this Lake Creek Drainage off east side of pass - heading north?


Is there anything super spectacular on west side of pass that I should consider?

Do these trailheads get jammed up with cars?

Also - any thoughts on dispersed camping? As it is - I"m thinking of doubling back by around the Elbert/Massive area into those woods?

[nyker]

Lackawanna was a fun outing and really nice views up high

[Matt]

There a a bunch of unofficial dispersed sites on CO 82 between the La Plata TH and where you'd start for Lackawanna, all on the south side of the road.
I don't think any are marked, but have used 3-4 different spots over the years. One area is at the end of a tiny road, ends by the creek and has numerous places to set up.

If you have not done the Geisslers yet (from Lost Man TH), I highly recommend those two + 13001 as a solid day hike. The summit of 13001 was one of my favorites.
Back on the east side, Champion + 13736 is a good combo if you aren't focused on Centennials.
There are plenty of 13er options off the Lincoln creek road, as well.

[MtnResident]

I camped over Labor Day weekend near Graham Gulch, which is about 2 miles before the trail head for Lackawanna. It's right near the road and stream. It wasn't even full capacity over Labor day. It is a little close to Hwy 82, but with the stream so close, it wasn't too bad. I was hiking all day anyway, so was only at camp to sleep. No one drives Hwy 82 at night, so it was very quiet.

The turn off is kind of hard to find while driving, but there's a tree with a big red square painted on it that indicates the turn.

Here's the waypoint coordinates. N39.08277, W106.53897

I'd recommend the following:
Mt. Champion /UN13786 / Deer Mtn ridge
Casco, Frasco, French from the Lackawanna trailhead. The ascent to the Casco/Frasco saddle isn't all that bad. Just a little loose, but it's pretty short.

[yaktoleft13]

I haven't done the peaks, but from the summit of Lackawanna the ridge between UN 13202 and UN 13300 looks to be a good time. There's a couple trip reports on the site that have linkups of those peaks in conjunction with others in the area. They sit at the end of the North Lake Creek trailhead right before the first big switchback on Indy and the ridge looks awesome.

[Wildernessjane]

The Geissler-Twining loop just off Indy Pass is really fun! Also, the Williams traverse is great too but it’s a quite a bit closer to Aspen.

[jibler]

what do people think about this lincoln creek road?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84zoAWw7EOQ

( I do love these youtube videos showing what the road is like!)


i wonder if I could roll in Saturday and find open spot?

road seems generally passable on that video -- they say until you reach ghost town its OK? I cannot deal with rough roads....


thanks for insights!

[AnnaG22]

Lincoln Creek road should be subaruable to the Grizzly Reservoir TH.

[LURE]

Lincoln Creek road should be subaruable to the Grizzly Reservoir TH.

I like that. Subaruable. I'd change it to Subarable. Probably deserves a place in the dictionary and should be used as a qualifier on forest road signs in Colorado, along with things like "high clearance 4WD only" and the like. Since there are really only two cars that exist in Colorado. Subs and Yota's. Being the unique individuals we all are.

[AnnaG22]

Really what I should say is that as of July 2017, Lincoln creek road requires a minimum of 8.4 inches of clearance, 4 wheel drive, HIGHLY skillful driving, and a tolerance for driving on GNARLY smooth bedrock in some places.

Or, y'know...Subaruable.

[Monster5]

Agreed with 13,001 being a gem.

East side of Indy = mostly class 2 talus fests with scenic basins. I'm personally not a fan of anything near Lackawanna and Frasco as they all looks like replicas of the Sawatch 14ers. The Booby Prize area was nice and secluded.
West side of Indy = generally more scrambly and just as scenic. Perhaps my favorite area in the Sawatch. That's not saying much, but it is worthwhile. Anderson is cool, as is the short and sweet Truros group. The Twining traverse is nice, but the Geisslers are ho-hum talus.

I also enjoyed Mountain Boy and Igloo. Quick outing.

A buddy took his RAV4 up Lincoln and scraped a few times near the end.

[SnowAlien]

I got my Forester past reservoir on Lincoln creek road last September. Slow going, but not too bad for clearance. Still was a long-ish haul for Anderson, but not too far coming from Petroleum. Truros look intriguing and are right by the reservoir (haven't done them yet). The rest of the peaks on/off Indy pass are hard to visualize without snow and are only meant for skiing around Memorial Day