Mears - #153/Larson Brothers

TRAILHEAD:
The Ironton trails begin 7 miles south of Ouray on US 550; parking for Crystal Lake trailhead at the northern end of the Ironton valley is on the left, south of the St. Germain Foundation stone building. Park there. Go across the Crystal Lake dam. The old Mears road and trailhead are to the left.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
The trail is a 1.8 mile bike and hiking loop from Crystal Lake south to the Larson Brothers Mine. Eventually it will reach the Mountain King Mine 4 miles south, cross the highway and return on the east side of the valley past the Joker Tunnel, running northward through Ironton to the St. Germain Foundation. The mines and buildings of the valley will be featured along the way.

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Mount Abram

TRAILHEAD:
The Mount Abram Trail is not a defined trail at this time. However, there are several ways of approaching the mountain. Two are described here:

First, is access from the end of the Brown Mountain jeep road. From that point, climb to the ridgeline and follow the ridge north to the top of Abram.

Second, is access from the north end of Ironton Park. There are trails on either side of Hendrick Creek which, though not always well defined, will take you to the Lucky Twenty Mine. From there it is a scramble to the top of Abram.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
Changing views of Ironton Park, the Red Mountain and Uncompahgre gorges, and the surrounding mountains are with you all the way.

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Mount Sneffels - #201

NOTE: Mount Sneffels is a CLIMB--not a hike!

Click on pictures to enlarge

The Waterhole Slide on the
Camp Bird road. On the way
to the Sneffels trailhead

Another view
US Mountain in the distance

Mt. Sneffels from Governor's Basin

Norb Green on top of Mt. Sneffels
One of the three Blue Lakes, below

TRAILHEAD:
STANDARD ROUTE: Drive south on Hwy 550 from Ouray and just after the first switchback, turn right onto the Camp Bird road (County 361). Keep left to take the higher bridge over the Uncompahgre Gorge. At about 4.6 miles from 550, stay right at the turnoff for the Camp Bird Mine. It is not advisable for large cars to go beyond this point. The road to Imogene Pass goes left 0.6 mile from Camp Bird. Ahead to your left, you will soon see the ruins of the Atlas Mill; across from it is space for Parking beside the road. This is a good stopping place for cars with two-wheel drive. At a fork 2.2 Miles from Camp Bird, the road to Yankee Boy Basin goes right; Govenor Basin is to the left. The road beyond is safe only with high-clearance 4WD vehicles.

If you are driving beyond the fork, Parking spaces can be found after about 0.8 mile. A toilet facility is located here. Farther on, Parking is possible along several side roads or spurs. This land is fragile--please park only on firm bare ground to avoid more loss of plants and flowers.

At about 0.5 mile beyond the toilet is the last side road going left (south), and the road begins a steady climb. After 0.3 mile, the road may be closed to vehicles by a chain, depending on the season and road conditions ahead. There is a turnaround just before the closure.

ATTAINING THE SUMMIT:
Starting from the trailhead, you cannot see Mt. Sneffels until you are up in the high basin; Kismet is often mistaken for Sneffels. On the trail from Wright's Lake, you will reach a junction where the Blue Lakes Trail goes left to the Pass; turn right for 1/8 mile east to a cairn at the Sneffels turnoff going north.

If you approach Sneffels by the road, instead of the trail described above, the road ends after a mile. Continue on the trail heading toward the Blue Lakes Trail Pass. Go a half-mile to the cairn marking the Sneffels turnoff to the right.

From the cairn, the goal is the saddle between Sneffels (left) and Kismet (right). At the saddle, check the weather again since you can now see to the north. If conditions are beginning to deteriorate, this is a good place to consider waiting for a better day.

From the saddle, go left (northwest) up a steep narrow gully or couloir, which may have snow it it. Climb nearly to the top of the couloir where a notch opens to the left. Observe the location of the notch for your descent. You will come out on a ridge which leads you up to the summit. The final stretch of 650 feet requires some proficiency in minor rock climbing--and caution.

Be aware of rocks rolling from above and be careful not to dislodge any yourself. Do not linger on the summit--leave time to descend with care. Falls are more dangerous coming down.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
This striking 14,150 foot mountain is an inviting destination for many visitors and a successful ascent can be most rewarding. It must be emphasized, however, that this peak has produced fatalities, serious injuries and hazardous rescues. It requires more planning, preparation and skill than the trails described on this website.

Mt. Sneffels is not a Colorado "fourteener" that can be summited by following a hiking trail. The upper part of the mountain, in the best circumstances, requires scrambling on steep slopes with loose rock, and much of the year requires ascending a steep couloir where an ice axe is essential.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
Before attempting the climb:

* Review "Be a Wilderness Survivor", particularly items 1, 2, 3, and 6, on the FAQ page of this website. This data is provided by the Mountain Rescue Team, and is very valuable information for all hikers.

* Talk to local climbers about conditions and the advisability of carrying ice axes and other gear. Refer to a guidebook for more information. Avoid climbing on holidays and weekends.

* Be certain that all party members are well conditioned, acclimated and experienced. Practice on the higher trails, ascending to over 11,000 feet, described herein.

* Start early and watch the weather! Afternoon storms are common; lightning is a serious hazard; snow is possible in any month.

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Oak Creek

Oak Creek Overlook | Oak Creek Upper Loop | Oak Creek Lower Loop

White House and Twin Peaks

Heavy trail work!

The trail has heen opened

Mt. Hayden from the Oak Creek Trail

At the Oak Creek Overlook - Whitehouse in the Background

The Oak Creek Overlook Trail

TRAILHEAD:
The Oak Creek and Twin Peaks Trails share a common trailhead. Go to Oak Street, which parallels Main Street on the west side of the Uncompahgre River. 3rd or 7th Avenues will take you across the river. Go up Oak Street to the top of the hill to Queen Street, which heads west. Take Queen Street one block and turn left on South Pinecrest Drive for the route to the trailhead. Parking: Without 4WD, you will need to park on Oak Street, or in the limited space before going up South Pinecrest Drive, because the road is steep, rough and deeply rutted beyond the houses. With 4WD and high clearance, you may wish to try for the limited parking spaces near the trailhead.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
Round trip to the overlook is 6.2 miles with an altitude gain of 2,400 feet. The two trails are the same for 0.9 mile. At 0.6 mile is a big slab rock giving an overlook of Cañon Creek and on up to U.S. Mountain. Leaving the junction with the Twin Peaks Trail at 1.0 mile, the left fork takes you up into Oak Creek Gorge and beyond. The picturesque canyon is reached in 0.5 mile; soon the falls are glimpsed. This crossing may be impassable at high water. Probably the best place to cross is 25 yards upstream from where the trail first reaches creek level. In less than 0.2 mile beyond the crossing, keep alert for glimpses of a staircase of waterfalls on the left. Another steep stretch of 0.2 mile brings you to two mine portals--a nice place for a break. From the mines you enter some dense forest, then an open meadow where care is needed for route finding. Look for two trees with silver diamond trail markers to follow the trail.

The scenic overlook with a large rock fin is one mile from the mines and is a great lunch spot. The view spans a glorious 180 degrees from this point, and a high waterfall can be seen up towards Whitehouse Mountain. Ouray and the Amphitheater are to the east, and US Highway 550 can be seen down in the Uncompahgre gorge.

At the Overlook Trail workers at the Overlook

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The Blowout from the Oak Creek Trail
Photo Courtesy of
Anthony Gegauff

Whitehouse Peak from the Oak Creek Trail

The Oak Creek/Silvershield Upper Loop

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
Continue past the overlook as the trail switchbacks to the left. In another 0.1 mile, the trail comes to a second overlook with good views. The high point, 10,700 feet, is reached in another 0.1 mile in an area of heavy deadfall. The trail descends through a beautiful forest with evidence of large herds of deer and elk. A viewpoint looking north up the valley is 0.2 mile farther. The Oak Creek Trail ends in 2.5 miles at a junction with the Silvershield Trail. Descending, on the Silvershield Trail, another 1.1 miles takes you to the River Road; then by heading south, you can return to the Oak Creek trailhead in about 2 miles to complete a 9.0 mile loop.

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Twin Peaks from the Oak Creek Trail
Photo Courtesy of
Anthony Gegauff

The Amphitheater from the Oak Creek Trail

The Oak Creek/Twin Peaks/Silvershield Lower Loop

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
At the junction with the Twin Peaks Trail, continue right on the Twin Peaks Trail (see the Twin Peaks Trail description for details). At the junction with the Silvershield Trail on the high bench above Ouray, take the right fork on the Silvershield to its trailhead on the River Road. Take the River Road south about two miles to the Oak Creek trailhead to complete a 4.2 mile loop.

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