Andrews Lake

Friday and Saturday

An alpine meadows just south of Molas Pass on Hwy 550 at 10,744ft above sea level.

Detailed description: A hike about1mile from the fen to the east of the Andrews Lake parking area. The focus will be on the flora of our “alpine water gardens”, a ecological/natural history overview of the uniqueness of fens, the rare species found in our local fens, pressures past, present, and future, and restoration efforts. The hike will be just over a mile round trip and mostly level. Mostly on a lightly used game trail and off trail when on the fen. Waterproof footwear or being ok with wet feet is recommended. We will not need to wade in deep water for the hike but there is a chance of some “squishy” ground.

Start: Andrews Lake Trailhead: 
Lat Long: N37.72827 W107.71103

Distance: 42 miles, ~56 min

• Take E 8th Ave and E 3rd Ave to US-550 N/Main Ave (1.8 miles)

• Turn right onto US-550 N/Main Ave (40 miles)

• Turn right onto Andrews Lake Road

Engineer Mountain /
Pass Creek Trail

Friday and Saturday

Also known as Pass Creek Trail, an alpine meadow and high country hike near Molas Pass

Detailed description: Detailed description: 

Easy: We will arrive to be greeted with a meadow of wildflowers taller than our heads and more numerous than our fingers and toes together. Here at 10,640 feet in elevation, we can spend a few hours or a day keying out all the luscious beauty the San Juans can offer.

Moderate: From the trailhead parking lot we will pace our way through the lower meadow, climbing through Engelmann Spruce forests to reach middle lake. This hike will have several switchbacks and a steep grade, climbing around 1500’ vertical feet with stops to check out some of the noteworthy species of the area like Ritter’s Coraldrops (Besseya ritteriana). At the lake we will encounter a wet meadow with several new species of wildflowers to observe. On the way down, we can take some time through the lower meadow to note the numerous species occurring at the trailhead parking lot.

Hard: This group will need to be acclimated and fit to hike a vigorous three miles to the high ridgeline at nearly 12,000 feet elevation. This high meadow offers numerous species of wildflowers, an enormous rock glacier, at least one endemic, and views of all the high peaks in the area. Receding snow lines reveal more treasures as the season advances

Note: This longest all of hikes if you’re headed to the top (3.5 mi each way with 1500’ to 2000’ vertical from start to top). The first quarter mile is steep and slow going. It continues to climb, but over longer, easier grades with several switchbacks. Still, plenty to see if you don’t go to the very top.

Start: Dirt parking lot west, off Hwy 550
Lat Long: N37.69906 W107.77900
Distance: 45 miles, ~60 min

• Take E 8th Ave and E 3rd Ave to US-550 N/Main Ave (1.8 miles)

• Turn right onto US-550 N/Main Ave (40 miles)

• Turn left Engineer Mountain parking

Little Molas Pass

Friday and Saturday

Detailed description: At Little Molas Trail located on Molas Pass, we will be hiking a section of the Colorado Trail (Segment 25). At 10,910 ft elevation, you will have incredible views of the majestic peaks surrounding this area including The Twilights, Needles and the Genadiers. This trail will offer a sampling of some of SW Colorado’s famous wildflowers on an easy trail and the easiest access, no 4WD needed. Trailhead parking is located just past the campground, which has approximately 20 parking spots. Little Molas lake has fields of Pedicularis groenlandica which is quite a site, all on its own. Limestone outcroppings, diverse flora and spectacular views make this a perfectly simple day trip in SW Colorado. 

Start: Andrews Lake Trailhead: 
Lat Long: N37.74352 W107.70950

Distance: 44 miles, ~61 min

• Take E 8th Ave and E 3rd Ave to US-550 N/Main Ave (1.8 miles)

• Turn right onto US-550 N/Main Ave (50 miles)

• Turn left onto Forest road 584

• Drive to end of camping loop into parking area (1mile)
  

Indian Trail Ridge /
La Plata Mountains

Saturday

The trip from the bottom of the La Plata River Valley in Hesperus climbs to the summit of the magnificent La Plata Mountains following the river most of the way to the summit along a gravel road that becomes steep and rough in places. 

This is one of Colorado’s iconic mountain ranges made widely known through the large format photography of John Fielder whose images show high meadows full of flowering plants, stunning peaks, and beautiful skies. 

 Detailed description: Once at the trailhead, stepping out of the vehicle your walk to Taylor Lake is a nearly flat stroll through towering Veratrum, Delphinium, Aconitum, and blazing paintbrush. Adventurous and fit participants can continue from there to climb another 900 feet along an amazing rock wall full of alpines to the top of the ridge where they will be rewarded with stupendous views of nearly the entire San Juan Mountain Range and still more beautiful alpine plants set in weathered stone.

Note: The final 14 miles traveling to the trail head is on rough mountain dirt road. High-clearance and vehicles with low geared transmission are recommended. Passenger cars and AWD SUVs should not attempt driving to this location.

Start: Kennebec Trailhead on CO Road 124
Lat Long: N37.45177 W108.01149
Distance: 27 miles, ~58 min

• Head east on Rim Drive

• Take US-160 W to Co Rd 124 in Hesperus (13 miles)

• Follow Co Rd 124 to destination (14 miles)

Mesa Verde

Friday - Am and PM groups
Wetherill Mesa

Detailed description: After decades of work with archaeologists and trekking more than a thousand miles across the Southwest along ancestral migration routes, Childs will put cliff dwellings and their surrounding landscape in context, from the rise of these people a thousand years ago to their exit from the region.

Note: Limit availability - Sign up at Registration table. Park pass / Entrance fee required.

Start: meet at Mesa Verde Visitor Center
- AM group at 8:45AM
- PM group at 1:00PM
Distance: 38 miles, ~43 minutes

• Follow US-160 W to Mesa Top Ruins Rd in Montezuma County. Take the exit toward Mesa Verde National Park from US-160 W

• Proceed to Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center.

Highland Mary Lakes

Friday

Highland Mary Lakes are high alpine lakes studding the alpine tundra at 12500’ near the Continental Divide.

Detailed description: The trailhead starts at 11000’ a few miles SE of Silverton and climbs the thousand feet to the lakes in just over a mile through gorgeous high montane spruce-fir forests and the impressive Cunningham Creek with multiple large waterfalls. Once on the tundra the vista is full of open sky, stunning mountains, and gorgeous alpines.

Limited to 10 attendees. This is a difficult high elevation trip and should only be undertaken by fit healthy individuals that are prepared for a full strenuous day at altitude.

Lat Long: N37.78096 W107.57978
Distance: 59 miles, ~1 hr 45 min

• Take E 8th Ave and E 3rd Ave to US-550 N/Main Ave (1.8 miles)

• Turn right onto US-550 N/Main Ave (47.3 miles)

• Take Co Rd 2 and Co Rd 4 to County Rd 4 (9.6miles)

Placer Gulch

Saturday

Low trail difficulty. But, this is a 4WD road with several vehicle stops at different habitats. We won't walk more than a few hundred yards away at any stop. 4WD vehicles only.

Detailed description: We will make four major stops.

• Stop #1 will be fell field and snowbank communities at about 12,700 feet;

• Stop #2 will be steeper slopes at about 12,700 feet;

• Stop #3 will be alpine turf and alpine wetlands near the Gold Prince Mine at about 12,200 feet;

• Stop #4 will be an alpine habitat just above tree line.

Start: Road 2 and Road 9 intersection
Lat Long: N37.91644 W107.55813
Distance: 60 miles, ~1 hr 50 min

• Take E 8th Ave and E 3rd Ave to US-550 N/Main Ave (1.8 miles)

• Turn right onto US-550 N/Main Ave (47.3 miles)

• Take Co Rd 2 to Co Rd 9 (11.5 miles)