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. Visiting the South San Juan Wilderness A site at the mouth of Montezuma Creek on the San Juan River was selected, but a viable route was still uncertain. 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. Many call the South San Juan Wilderness Colorado's wildest corner. Distance: 16.8 miles (out and back) Elevation. 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. Protected Since 1980|160,999 acres| Near Pagosa Springs. 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. 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. Backpack - Red Lake in the South San Juan Wilderness - June 2013 Colorado Backpackers and the New Mexico Backpackers From here, head downhill off-trail to the right (west). Max: 11,940 feet. 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. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. -- 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 Take the threat of lighting into careful consideration. [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. It includes all that are larger than 50,000 acres (200 km²). Fine views of Strom King peak from the CDT. 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). 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 doubletrack ends at this open hilltop, a perfect resting spot. The forest contains two alpine wilderness areas; the Weminuche and South San Juan, as well as the Piedra Area. Protected Since 1980|160,999 acres| Near Pagosa Springs. 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. Turkey Lake (Weminuche Wilderness) Rating: Difficult. 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. If the expedition chose either route used by the scouts, it would mean a trip of nearly 500 miles (800 km). Updates. The large islands of San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, and Shaw make up more than 80 percent of the landmass. The South San Juan Mountains spans 160,000+ acres that include steep slopes, high peaks and cliffs, 32 lakes, and turbulent rivers. 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. Blog. 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. The last known grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in the wilderness in 1979. A short-cut, thought to be simpler, was chosen with a rendezvous at Forty-Mile Spring, south of the town of Escalante. The South San Juan Mountains spans 160,000+ acres that include steep slopes, high peaks and cliffs, 32 lakes, and turbulent rivers. The tour detailed below is a true San Juan wilderness experience. Distance: 16.8 miles (out and back) Elevation. Some believe that it is still home to a few grizzlies, but there is … 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"). National Geographic Map: Durango … It includes all that are larger than 50,000 acres (200 km²). The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and horses and is best used from April until October. South San Juan. 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. Photo: Jason Hatfield. 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. Blue Lake. Blue Lake Loop, South San Juan Wilderness, CO. From FS 520, locate FS 506, heading south into Bear Creek. 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). You've chosen well! View of valley from Wolf Creek Pass in the San Juan Mountains of south central Colorado USA. 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. Courtesy of Jack Brauer. 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. Be ready for a few hours of backcountry driving to access the trailhead. SOUTH SAN JUANS. The Lake … It borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. 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. The two National Historic Sites within the state of Colorado are: . Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. TBL005 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. 7 years ago . Old Spanish National Historic Trail through southwestern Colorado However, for more casual travelers, one can enjoy the wonderful forests that are almost park-like in their leisurely beauty. 3.1 miles to where the trail intersects the CDT (655) at Nebo Creek, closing the loop. 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