Monday, August 23, 2021

North Clear Creek Falls in Colorado



Beautiful North Clear Creek Falls in Colorado! 

When I saw that these falls are located just a short detour off The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway--CO-149--I knew that we had to take a drive someday to see these beautiful waterfalls in person.  In early August of this year, we drove down to Southern Colorado and stopped first at the historic mining town of Creede--click here--to see that post.  



When we left Creede, we enjoyed the drive on CO-149--The Silver Thread Scenic Byway-- as we headed towards our next destination of Lake City.  The weather was not cooperating, as it was the rainy season in Colorado, but it did not deter us from enjoying the scenic beauty of the land we passed...the Weminuche Wilderness.



Please click on to enlarge the photo

Information from the  Forest Service Department website:

"At three quarters the size of Rhode Island, the Weminuche Wilderness is the largest Wilderness area in Colorado at 499,771 acres. It is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, established by the Wilderness Act of 1964 to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." The Weminuche was designated by Congress in 1975 and expanded by the Colorado Wilderness Acts of 1980 and 1993.

The Weminuche spans the Continental Divide, North America's geological backbone, with its headwaters diverted to both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Eolus, Sunlight, and Windom peaks rise above 14,000 feet, while many others reach above 13,000 feet. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, the Weminuche is rugged country, but its ecosystems are fragile.

The Weminuche protects the headwaters of both the Rio Grande River and the San Juan River (which then runs into the Colorado River) providing clear drinking water to millions of people."



The North Clear Creek Falls overlook facility is situated as a stop on the Silverthread Scenic Byway right along State Hiway 149.  The 100 foot ( 0.48 M) long gushing waterfall is directly fed by the meltwaters of the high altitude mountains of the San Juan Mountain Range near Slumguillion Pass around 11,500 feet (3505.2 M), and Spring Creek Pass at around 10,500 feet (3200.4 M) elevation. 




The video above of the waterfall can also be seen on YouTube on this linkWe stood for quite awhile watching the majestic waterfall while we stood in the rain.  What a thrilling sight! 



Please click on to enlarge the photo

One of the informational placards at the waterfall viewing platform which explains the geologic formations of this area caused by volcanos 27 million years ago.




We hiked one of the trails to see more of the unusual volcani terrain, with views of the winding river far below.  It felt like we were in a  very otherworldly place!



Traveling back on The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway--CO-149--we passed a few cattle ranches and then reached Slumgullion Pass. Located just outside of Lake City, Colorado, Slumgullion Pass is an ultra-high mountain pass with an elevation of 11,530 ft (3,514 m). We learned that because this pass has grades on the north side of the pass up to 9%, that State Highway 149 is the steepest, maintained paved road in Colorado! Slumgullion Pass is named for the nearby Slumgullion Earthflow, a gigantic landslide whose yellowish soil reminded early settlers and miners of slumgullion stew.
 



We stopped to see the view from Windy Point Overlook. The overlook offers a superb view of the majestic mountain peaks surrounding Lake City. Colorado has 58 mountain peaks higher than 14,000 feet (4267.2), and five of them are in the San Jaun Mountain Range near Lake City.  Next post I'll continue on to Lake City--the only town in all of Hinsdale County, Colorado.


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40 comments:

EricaSta said...

I enjoyed reading. This is a lovely landscape. Thank you for sharing.
Happy MosaicMonday

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful scenic views. The waterfall is awesome, looks powerful.
Looks like a great hike and outing, beautiful photos.

Take care, have a happy week!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

How beautiful!! What a great day that must have been.

Linda W. said...

Impressive waterfall!

Barbara Rogers said...

How truly beautiful! I love all waterfalls, and this one is super! The mountains in the wilderness are so lovely, awe inspiring. Thanks for sharing your trip...taking photos in the rain no less!

Lisa said...

What a beautiful waterfall. For all the road trip vacations my family took when I was growing up, we always missed Colorado.

Hena Tayeb said...

Oh wow.. so absolutely beautiful.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Awesome views. I can never get enough of those mountain views, but all of it is so lovely.

Joanne said...

Oh wow! What a truly beautiful waterfall.

Ellen Martin said...

That looks like a lovely spot!

Linda said...

Beautiful!!! Loved the video! I could watch that all day long!
I've been to Slumgullion Pass.....your Colorado posts bring back so many memories of all the years we would vacation there - and in nearly every season. Fall for the foliage, winter for the skiing and summer....only once did I come in the spring.

stevebethere said...

I agree what lovely photos very scenic thanks for taking us with you good post :-) (◑ ͜ر ◑)

Have a scenictastic week 👍

NCSue said...

I'm envious of your beautiful mountains! Lovely scenes.
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/08/a-few-from-archives.html

Life Of 2 Snowbirds said...

I loved your pictures. The waterfall is amazing.

Fun60 said...

Beautiful scenery. Loved the video because of the sound as much as the view.

Tom said...

...North Clear Creek Falls sure is beautiful.

carol l mckenna said...

wow! What an adventure you share with your awesome photos ~ Xo

Living in the moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Donna @ Modern on Monticello said...

Colorado is indeed beautiful! Thanks for sharing all of the adventures with us each week. #HomeMattersParty

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

so much beauty in all the views

Sharon Wagner said...

The waterfall looks like Iceland. Wow! Quite the cascade.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What a beautiful post!
I had a friend who always talked about the Wenimuche wilderness area incessantly. This the first time I have ever seen anything about it.
Colorado is a special place and I love that you and your husband are very curious and willing to explore it.
Be safe, and have a great week.

Linda said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

Jeanie said...

Those photos of the falls just took my breath away. What a gloriously beautiful state you live in, Pat. The views really do knock your socks off.

ellen b. said...

Such a beautiful state for you to enjoy and explore!

Shiju Sugunan said...

These are wonderful views. Excellent captures too!

My latest post:
https://craniumbolts.blogspot.com/2021/08/off-season-visit-to-hoskote.html

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow Pat. What a spectacular site! You have a seemingly endless supply of beautiful places to visit near you.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

What a gorgeous waterfall. I'm guessing it runs year round? Beautiful, rugged country, and well photographed!

owlfarmer said...

These are some pretty terrific shots! We're planning to do some dispersed camping south of Gunnison next month, and Lake City is close enough to get to on a day trip (if I can figure out a route). Really inspiring stuff, though, so thanks!

Jim said...

Beautiful.

Jocelyn said...

Beautiful pictures!

Angie said...

Pat - as we have known for some time, we share a love of mountains, nature, history. So this post is another one of my favorites!!! I think so many people take water for granted ... every time we turn on the tap, we should think about how truly precious it is - every single drop! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

Nanda kumar said...

I like waterfall aura. It has been quite long since we visited any waterfall owing to pandemic. Beautiful shots

Light and Voices said...

Greetings and Salutations, Pat! Glad you post signs as to where you are and then the photographs are of Colorado. May I ask, is there a place in Colorado where a person can take a BAD photo. I don't think so. Colorado is such a beautiful state in the first place. I am in awe of your photographs and places that you can visit. Enjoy where you are. I know I enjoy where you are. Every week I can hardly wait to see what you post. Take care.

Rambling Woods said...

The sound of the water is so soothing....

betty-NZ said...

Wow! That's some fabulous scenery! I love the ruggedness you captured.

Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

Azka Kamil said...

I enjoyed reading. This is a lovely landscape

Lowcarb team member said...

North Clear Creek Falls look so beautiful, your photographs are lovely.

All the best Jan

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Imagine how it would feel to be swept down that river and over the falls...

diane b said...

What an amazing place. The waterfalls are beautiful. That is an amazing river system. Do you get altitude problems? Those mountains are so high.

Azka Kamil said...

Beautiful scenery.