Best Place to See Alpine Wildflowers Near Pagosa Springs

[Nfreelen]

Hello Everyone, I’m hoping to tap into the collective knowledge of this community and find the best spots to view alpine wildflowers near Pagosa Springs. I live in Pagosa and have family visiting from out of state in Mid July. Part of the party coming up are my 90 year old grandparents who want to see the alpine wildflowers one more time. They are both in good health, but cannot handle a long, arduous climb/hike to see them. Are there any places near Pagosa that have good flowers and access roads? I have capable 4WD vehicles, so access isn’t an issue as long as there is a road. All of the places I can think of around Pagosa require miles of hiking and don’t have roads to get into higher basins. I’m not against driving my grandparents to American or Yankee Boy Basins, but was wondering if there is something closer. Thanks!

[interloper]

You might try the area on FDR 380 around Elwood Pass, east of Pagosa. Elwood Pass itself is a really rough road, so I don't recommend it, but if you take FDR 380 directly from 160 on the other side of Wolf Creek Pass before you get to South Fork, it's a very well graded and smooth dirt road the entire way. It would make for a long day, but there are lots of easy hikes off the road up there. The quality of the flowers may be questionable this year due to lack of good snow pack, though. I haven't been up there this summer, but in previous years have seen good bunches of columbine around there. Here is a great place to go for an easy walk in an alpine environment. The whole area is above 11,000 feet and quite beautiful, albeit with lots of beetle kill.

[Nfreelen]

Thanks so much for that info! I may go up there this weekend to start scouting it out.