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 link.  We 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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