Moments in Dirt and Ink

San Juan National Forest Uncompahgre National Forest (map link) I had thought a bit about hiking up Sheep Mountain, checking it out as I hiked across Black Face and along the bottom of Lizard Head. With the sniff of signal at the top, I'd downloaded what Peakbagger could tell me about it. One person stated that they had found an old trail through the forest, but it wasn't going to where I wanted to approach the top, so I decided not to follow that track. I might have had a hiking partner for this, but when many days of rain were promised by the weather machine, we both ran for somewhere that wouldn't get quite so muddy and slick. He had scouted a route through the forest and reported that there was a lot of downed trees. That's not surprising considering how many standing dead trees you can see in this forest. With things dryer (but not dry), I decided to return and get something out of the effort of thought already expended. I headed out from the corral from muc...

Uncompahgre National Forest San Juan National Forest (map link) I don't know why, but yes, it is really called that. It doesn't call itself that, so I'm not holding it against it. The sign at the trailhead suggests this is a popular loop with the Cross Mountain Trail and, if you can't get together a shuttle, about 2.3 miles of highway. Ugh. But that's what I set out on, with a plan to divert over to the pass above Bilk Creek to check out that distinct view that is rather close to the trail. The weather, so far as I knew, had a slight chance of thunder storm all day. There's trees up there, so I decided to risk it. I walked over from my dispersed camp at the corral across the highway (a large area set up for the purpose) to the trailhead to start the loop. The weather, so far as I knew, had a slight chance of thunder storm all day. Lizard Head Pass from the trailhead. The sign below marks the boundary between San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forest. Th...

San Juan National Forest (map link) As I was wandering and looking about near my campsite, as one does when one is in a beautiful place, I spotted a huge waterfall in the distance. Do you see it just above the trees at the arrow? Waterfall! I pondered the maps and the landscape and decided that this waterfall might be somewhat near a trail and that trail was the one up to Navajo Lake. There was a second one near the trail. Both seemed to face a bit to the west, so I made a plan to start at that trailhead, take the Groundhog Stock Driveway and Kilpacker Trail up for the variety, then pass by those waterfalls coming down when the sun would also be somewhat to the west. Signs, trail register, and even a bench at the Navajo Lake Trailhead. The trail splits almost immediately with the Groundhog Stock Driveway (Groundhog Trail) climbing off to the right through meadow and aspens. One of the things my informant at the Priest Gulch Trailhead mentioned was that only trails getti...

San Juan National Forest (map link) DAY 1  |  DAY 2 I woke up to a sky that I was certain contained a whole lot of smoke. I could, yes, definitely smell it too. It arose so quickly and I could feel panic following along. But around me, it was so evenly dispersed, and, if I'm honest, it was doing some downright lovely things marking out the air currents high over the local 14ers grouping. The world is a wind tunnel with smoke indicators when wildfires burn. Dolores and company to the left, Mount Wilson and company to the right. (Click to embiggen.) So, by my best guess, the wildfire could not be near, no matter how fresh that smoke was smelling. I had good signal when I could see Rico and mediocre signal on that side of the ridge otherwise and something that wouldn't let me connect on the other side, so I found a tree to hide behind from the wind and tried to be sure. Caltopo's active fire and satellite detection layers indicated no big fires until I got all th...

San Juan National Forest (map link) DAY 1  |  DAY 2 Okay, new backpacking plan. Since I had already done the section of Calico National Recreation Trail from the Calico Trailhead to the far side of Elliot Mountain, I decided to approach it via the West Fall Creek Trail instead. First day would be climb and follow the loop of trail over Sockrider Peak and Calico NRT back. There should be a rivulet of water just before the climb back up to the ridge. If that didn't work out, I would know how far down West Fall Creek I needed to go to get the all important stuff. Next day, lots of named peaks to be bagged, then back down. Some variations were possible in the second day, but in general, sorted. There's a bit of a turnout for parking and that's all at the trailhead. A sign marks the start of West Fall Creek Trail No. 640. The trail is well established and easy to follow. Numerous spring flowers can be found among the trees. ( Pretty Jacob's ladder .) The ...

San Juan National Forest (map link) I was collecting things together to backpack a small loop on the Calico National Recreation Trail from the Priest Gulch Trailhead when a pair of backpackers just finished with through hiking the 19 miles popped up. The usual hiker greetings are important, for they give the opportunity to then gain information. In this case, this spring on the map, is it any good? If it is good, there is an excellent opportunity to grab a few peaks. As it turns out, they had searched out that spring and creative water gathering was required because they did not find it. Almost all of the water to be found on the ridge was snow. I am not a fan of this particular water source, personally. Third worst water ever. Anyway, if I'm looking for views and possible peak bagging, I should be at the other end. This loop will be entirely in forest. Yes, even the ridgeline that Calico follows. I could follow them there, if I liked. So I took this advice, although I'm ...

San Juan National Forest (map link) After too long spent in the desert, Rio Lado looked like it would be a good trail for basking in the wonder that is flowing water. The map promised no views, but a couple miles along the stream and then a big loop at the top. I estimated that the whole thing would be about 5 miles, so not very long. I made an easy start of it to give the sun a chance to get high and filter through the trees. The trailhead is a rocky spur with a tiny sign off the side of a road and I actually parked in a turnout just past it. The trail follows the old road prism which most decidedly does not take vehicles now. It does seem to see a lot of horses, which park below just past the bridge and walk up cutting the switchback. Rio Lado has been mysteriously tamed near the trailhead, giving this waterfall. I got going up the trail. There is a spot of private property crossed early on, but beside a couple "Forest Service land behind this sign" markers and a...

San Juan National Forest (map link) I missed Narraguinnep Fort because I had some thought that there would be a turnout along the road past the intersection, but the intersection is the optimal place to stop. A road continues to the fort if you want to deal with the gate and can handle sufficiently rough road. It really isn't far to the walk instead. I pulled over where the road was wide and I was sure I could get out again and made my way down. At this intersection of improved gravel roads, the two dirt tracks lead off to the fort. As above, there were lots of flowers. I immediately found many, some of which I hadn't seen yet in the day's walks. It's a different elevation and a different environment. A short penstemon makes small spots of blue. Irises grow enthusiastically where it is wet, particularly by the stream. A closer look at the irises, which are actually quite small, only a few inches across. Now there is only a sign marking the fort. Th...

San Juan National Forest (map link) As with most manned fire lookouts these days, there is a road all the way to the bottom of Benchmark Lookout. Right about the edge of the 7.5' quad, that road turns from improved to unimproved and that is where I parked. I could probably have carefully driven the little Scion over the rocks that suddenly started popping out of the road, but I was looking for a little walk. I pulled out of the route of travel and started what became quite a wildflower walk. Well, a stroll really. It is a very gentle generally upward slope to the lookout. On the left, the remnants of a turn around leave plenty of room for a three point turn. The lookout is just visible in the center in the distance. A small group of mules ear. Tall blue flax was waving in the wind. The larkspur all along the road. Mules ear and larkspur were the most abundant of the flowers, but numerous others were scattered along the way.

San Juan National Forest Click for map. There were trails up Silver Mountain, I think at least two. They look well used. I went investigating a road in Mayday I thought would be a promising start, but if I found it, nearly a quarter mile south of where the map had it, the only mark on it is a public notice about Sunrise Mines starting operation again and requesting public comment about that. Since they are starting in 2017, that comment period is probably up. I noticed some unwelcoming signs for Sunrise Mines on my first pass through, so I think some of the public will be having their say for a while longer. Right up until 2027 when this window of operations cease, perhaps. Combined with absolutely no parking nearby, I decided that wasn't promising after all. One of the trails I was seeing seemed to come down toward a mystery road just on the other side of a small lot of private property next to Miners Cabin Campground, so today I'll try that. The road is marked ...