mountain squid at Spring Creek Pass, Segment 22, Hinsdale County, CO
CO (Hinsdale County)
Day 1 Spring Creek Pass to near Yurt
After a couple of days of acclimating and doing some dayhikes to finish Segment 11, I resumed hiking where I left off in 2018 at Segment 22.
Segment 22 begins at Spring Creek Pass just off of US149. Lake City (17 miles) and Creede (33 miles) can be accessed from here from different directions. The plan this year was to hike from Spring Creek Pass to Molas Pass, approximately 53 miles, much of which is above treeline. A doable distance. However, I did not use a shuttle. Instead, I parked at each trailhead and planned to loop back to my car, via dirt roads and other trails. This added some logistics but seemed easier than using a shuttle and just hiking back to my car. Hiking was 53 miles between the passes but driving was 165 miles and would have been a very long day not to mention the cost of a shuttle.
I spent the night at the Gunnison KOA and then drove to the trailhead. I started hiking around noon. The first 100 feet were the most difficult. I was out of breath quickly but that didn't last long since the trail follows an old road. There were many mud puddles to dodge.
As usual, the trail eventually left the jeep road and began to follow a single track and some rock cairns up and over Jarosa Mesa. It was not difficult to traverse but was exposed. Clouds were threatening everywhere. I did have some hail for a few moments but fortunately it did not last long.
mountain squid at Spring Creek Pass, Segment 22, Hinsdale County, CO
CO (Hinsdale County)
Day 1 Spring Creek Pass to near Yurt
After a couple of days of acclimating and doing some dayhikes to finish Segment 11, I resumed hiking where I left off in 2018 at Segment 22.
Segment 22 begins at Spring Creek Pass just off of US149. Lake City (17 miles) and Creede (33 miles) can be accessed from here from different directions. The plan this year was to hike from Spring Creek Pass to Molas Pass, approximately 53 miles, much of which is above treeline. A doable distance. However, I did not use a shuttle. Instead, I parked at each trailhead and planned to loop back to my car, via dirt roads and other trails. This added some logistics but seemed easier than using a shuttle and just hiking back to my car. Hiking was 53 miles between the passes but driving was 165 miles and would have been a very long day not to mention the cost of a shuttle.
I spent the night at the Gunnison KOA and then drove to the trailhead. I started hiking around noon. The first 100 feet were the most difficult. I was out of breath quickly but that didn't last long since the trail follows an old road. There were many mud puddles to dodge.
As usual, the trail eventually left the jeep road and began to follow a single track and some rock cairns up and over Jarosa Mesa. It was not difficult to traverse but was exposed. Clouds were threatening everywhere. I did have some hail for a few moments but fortunately it did not last long.