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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Our First Camping Trip

It is never too late, and one is never too old, to learn new things. My husband and I may be in our 60's, and never camped in our lives, but that did not stop us from deciding that it was about time we joined our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter for at least one day and night during their camping vacation. We wanted to challenge our "lifelong city dwelling selves" to an outdoor, under the stars adventure, even though we were slightly nervous about bears and possible lightning and thunderstorms. 

We drove west to central Colorado, and Grand County, enjoying the scenic views as we drove over Berthoud Pass, which crosses the Continental Divide at 11,307 feet (3446 m).  Even in July, there was some snow at the summit of the mountains.

We drove past Winter Park Ski Resort and then Granby Ranch Ski Resort...

...and soon reached Lake Granby, the third largest body of water in the state. It is popular for trout and salmon fishing, and ice fishing in winter.

At this point we turned off toward our daughter's family campsite, driving on a long winding dirt road. We could see some of the high mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park in the distance.

We finally arrived at the campsite! Our daughter and family had been there three days already, and we were joining them for their last day and night. Their tent was very large and comfortable, plus they had a nearby sun shade addition to sit under.  Sadly this camp's pine trees had been hit in prior years by the mountain pine beetle epidemic that was caused by warming trends and extended drought. The forest service cut down many dead pine trees around the campsites and replanted new healthy trees that will now take many years to grow and provide shade again.

Their campsite, however, faced this beautiful view!

There were also many beautiful wildflowers surrounding the campsite.

I had a good time photographing as many varieties of wildflowers as I saw, with the help of my granddaughter. All photos will enlarge when clicked on, for easier viewing.

The flowers were all exquisite!

We even saw a hummingbird feeder near the campsite manager's trailer, and there were many hummingbirds buzzing around enjoying both the flowers and the feeder's nectar

Our hours at the campsite were spent enjoying each other's company, playing by the lakeshore, fishing, going for boat rides and barbecuing lunch and dinner in the fire pit.  Our granddaughter was so excited to show us how to camp!

We also enjoyed just relaxing and watching the weather and sky change during the day. The sunset was magnificent!

As the sun went down we roasted marshmallows over the fire. When it got dark my granddaughter sat on my lap and we snuggled under a blanket.  At our over 8,000 foot elevation, the temperature goes down many degrees at night.   The night sky soon began to display more and more stars. Soon the entire sky seemed aglow with twinkling diamonds and we saw the Milky Way high above us!  That was another first for me, as I never saw such a spectacular night sky!  Soon my granddaughter told us her eyes were sleepy, so we all went into the tent to go to sleep under our down comforters.  We all slept very soundly and happily did not hear a bear or thunderstorm all night  

The next morning, as I headed down the hill from the restroom, I took this photo of the campsite, knowing we would soon have to break it down and pack it all away.  Our first camping experience was so pleasant that now we are excited to go again. It is hard not to want to enjoy the great outdoors when we live in such a beautiful state!

Living in the great state of Colorado gives residents many wonderful areas to camp in.  Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages over 4,000 campsites and the USDA Forest Service manages 53 multisite campgrounds in Colorado.  For a comprehensive guide to campgrounds check out this Colorado Tourism link.

After my husband and I said goodbye to our daughter and family we headed west again, towards the western part of Rocky Mountain National Park.

We stopped briefly at the historic Grand Lake Lodge outside the park. It had a fabulous view of Grand Lake and a wonderful rustic western charm.

When we reached the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park I was able to complete my mission of buying my own lifetime ""America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass. My husband bought his when he reached the age of 62, and I decided I needed my own too, as soon the cost of the pass will be raised on August 28, 2017, from $10 to $80.  It will still be a bargain at that new price, as it will enable a holder with card and ID to enter any National Park in the US for free over the rest of their lifetime.  Our National Parks are our national treasures--59 National Parks and 417 Federal National Recreational Land sites for all to enjoy!  How many National Parks have you visited?

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Independence Pass, Colorado, Part Two

Last week I blogged about the beginning of a drive my husband and I went on Highway 82 to cross over Independence Pass, which is the highest mountain pass in Colorado.  It is only open from the end of May through sometime in October as the rest of the year it is covered with heavy snow. Click here to read that post.  That post ended with our stop at the Independence town site--now a "ghost town" of abandoned and crumbling buildings, remnants from a once thriving gold rush site.

Independence Ghost Town is located 16 miles east of Aspen, Colorado, on Highway 82. There was a parking area off the highway, and then a hike down toward the town. You can see some standing buildings in the photos above as we approached the town.
Legend has it that the town of Independence was formed when prospectors discovered the Independence Gold Lode on July 4, 1879. A tent city sprang up that summer and by the next year there were 300 people living in the camp.

Placard on the site--click on it to enlarge.

By 1881 the Farwell Mining Company had acquired most of the mines in the area, as well as operated the Farwell Stamp Mill and a large sawmill for their mines. The population of Independence grew to 500 and was served by four grocery stores, four boarding houses, and three saloons. By 1882, the town had over 40 businesses with three post offices and an estimated population of 1,500 people!

Even though we were visiting at the end of the month of May, there were still areas of heavy snow all around the ghost town site. I could only imagine what the winters were like there, with many feet of snow for months on end from October to May, high winds, avalanches, hail, and cold. Those gold prospectors had to be a hardy bunch, desperate to strike it rich, in order to want to live here.

Placard at the site--click on it to enlarge

Most of the buildings were complete ruins with the exception of a few, yet it was interesting to hike around the site and read the informational placards and imagine life in that era.

This is considered to be the general store, one of the buildings in better condition...

...and this well-built miner's cabin still stands.

Life was harsh here at 10,900 feet and many miners were lured away from Independence to the milder climate of Aspen where they could also find abundant work and good pay.

Although mining at Independence proved to be short-lived, over $190,000 worth of gold was produced between 1881 and 1882.  The next year production fell to $2,000, and by 1888 only 100 people remained in the town.

In the winter of 1899, the worst storm in Colorado's history cut off the supply routes to Independence. The miners were running out of food so they dismantled their homes to make skis and escaped to Aspen.  It was the end of the town.

To learn more about Independence, and to support its preservation, visit the Aspen Historical Society.

After leaving the Independence Ghost Town we went back on our way on Highway 82 to travel over the pass.

 

We could see the road gaining elevation ahead...

...and we entered beautiful snowy landscapes as we traveled higher in elevation.

The view looking down at the Roaring Fork Valley was magnificent!

At last, we were at the very top of the pass! There was a parking area and a scenic overlook. The snow at the side of the road was higher than our heads!

We took a photo by the iconic Independence Continental Divide sign...

...and decided to walk to the overlook, as we saw others doing.

Unfortunately, we managed to walk into a snow drift and I began to sink into the snow. At first, I thought it was funny until both legs were stuck in snow up above my knees and I could not move!  My husband tried to help me out and then he also sank down into the snow. Two young men thankfully came over and helped us climb out. We were soaked up to our hips and decided that was the end of our walk.

Back in the car, we drove down the rest of Highway 82...

..to its end, in the small scenic community of Twin Lakes.  This area has beautiful views of the Sawatch Mountain Range, including the highest Rocky Mountain in Colorado, Mt Elbert, at 14,440 feet (4401 m)

We then drove onto US 24, and into the town of Leadville, at 10,152 feet, it is the highest incorporated town in the United States. In the late 19th century this silver mining town was the second highest in population in Colorado after the city of Denver. 

We only had time to drive through, but its historic charm could easily be appreciated and we know we will be back for a longer visit one day soon...

..as we'd also like to ride the scenic Leadville, Colorado, and Southern Railroad train!

From Leadville, we drove back to I 70 East and returned home.  It was a very full and exciting day. Colorado has many exciting and interesting places to see, and Independence Pass was definitely worth the trip!

Click here to read part one of our ride over Independence Pass.

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