Ran Up Round Top This Morning

Wow....just wow

Who wouldn't want to see views like this! Gorgeous!

Superstition AZ

Enjoying some of the best of Fall near Lake City, CO. The San Juans are spectacular this time of year. Took these from County Rd 14 (aka Round Top).

Wow! That view is incredible!

Great pictures! Sounds like you're out there often?

Laura

Great pictures! Sounds like you're out there often?

Yes - Lake City and the surrounding mountains are my happy place. Been coming here since 1969 - lots of happy memories and family time. I drove “the loop” solo for the first time in 1977 after carefully watching Dad and how he navigated the trails.

Fast forward to when we retired and realized we could spend a few weeks there each year. That’s turned to months now as we escape the AZ heat. If anyone is around the area next August-October, give me a shout out and we can trail together.

Superstition AZ

Yes - Lake City and the surrounding mountains are my happy place. Been coming here since 1969 - lots of happy memories and family time. I drove “the loop” solo for the first time in 1977 after carefully watching Dad and how he navigated the trails.

Fast forward to when we retired and realized we could spend a few weeks there each year. That’s turned to months now as we escape the AZ heat. If anyone is around the area next August-October, give me a shout out and we can trail together.

Great backstory! I love hearing why we go the places we do

Superstition AZ

Yes - Lake City and the surrounding mountains are my happy place. Been coming here since 1969 - lots of happy memories and family time. I drove “the loop” solo for the first time in 1977 after carefully watching Dad and how he navigated the trails.

Fast forward to when we retired and realized we could spend a few weeks there each year. That’s turned to months now as we escape the AZ heat. If anyone is around the area next August-October, give me a shout out and we can trail together.

Why did you choose Lake City over say Ouray or Silverton, or Durango areas?

One more question. We were Ouray and Silverton in the middle of September weather was still warm. I know part of this answer is, "It depends", but on average could you come the 1st week of October and still not run into a lot of snow in the mountains and colors are good?

MIGeezer

One more question. We were Ouray and Silverton in the middle of September weather was still warm. I know part of this answer is, "It depends", but on average could you come the 1st week of October and still not run into a lot of snow in the mountains and colors are good?

Great questions. I think Lake City is “special” and is so remote that it remains a hidden gem of sorts. You can’t really “pass through” like Ouray, Telluride, Silverton, or Durango. LC is often billed as the most remote town in Colorado. It’s the only town in Hinsdale County.

We’ve encountered 18” of snow at 9000ft in mid-September and also 80 degrees. What I CAN guarantee is beautiful scenery and wonderful trails. If you like to eat out at different places every night and have a Home Depot nearby - this isn’t your place.

Yes, that area is pretty special. We have done several trips to Ouray starting with a night in Lake City and a then taking the Alpine Loop (Engineer Pass) to Ouray the next morning. On our recent trip there in August we took my early Bronco trail rig (no doors, bikini top) and we got caught in the typical afternoon thunderstorm deluge! That's the moment we started seriously looking for a new Bronco with doors and a hard top! We got a 22 Velocity Blue Badlands SAS about a month later.

looks like it was a wonderful day. Fall is the best time to get out onto trails. Absolute beauty.

Superstition AZ

Enjoying some of the best of Fall near Lake City, CO. The San Juans are spectacular this time of year. Took these from County Rd 14 (aka Round Top).

That first, BW image is hauntingly beautiful.

gibsBRonCO

Yes, that area is pretty special. We have done several trips to Ouray starting with a night in Lake City and a then taking the Alpine Loop (Engineer Pass) to Ouray the next morning. On our recent trip there in August we took my early Bronco trail rig (no doors, bikini top) and we got caught in the typical afternoon thunderstorm deluge! That's the moment we started seriously looking for a new Bronco with doors and a hard top! We got a 22 Velocity Blue Badlands SAS about a month later.

If you have a couple of days I highly recommend taking a run from the Lake City side over either Cinnamon or Stony into the Silverton area (if you take Cinnamon the run over California, Hurricane, and Corkscrew) before turning down and heading over Ophir Pass or Black Bear if you have a good spotter and someone who knows the trail).

You’ll want to plan an overnight stay in Telluride. Follow that up with a run back over Imogene Pass into Ouray and then take the return run back up through Mineral Point, up Engineer, stop at O’ Point and then back into Lake City. It’s a LONG 2 day trip but so worth it.

Black Bear is breathtaking - and a little technical. The run up from Ouray through mineral point is rocky and narrow - spotters recommended on both.

TK1215

That first, BW image is hauntingly beautiful.

It's evocative of St Ansel.

This post needs to be taken down on the grounds it's not right to have access to the mountains when some of us are stuck in the flat lands. This is the 4th time I've looked at this thread. Making plans to see the beauty in late September 2024. Already found a number of places in L.C. that allow dogs. Montana and Idaho are nice, but the mountains there are not as tall. Although a shelf road with a 500 ft drop is the same no matter where you are.

I request some new pics before you head back to AZ. :0) If you can, could you provide a KML, or GPX file with your route?
Dave