Day trip to Wheeler

As long as we have been coming to Creede we have wanted to visit Wheeler Geological Area. It's an ancient ash deposit from a volcano that has been weathering into fantastical shapes for millions of years. At one time it was designated a National Monument but lost that status many years ago because of it's remoteness and demoted to a Geological important area within the LaGarita Wilderness. It's located in mountains above Creede but getting there remains a challenge. It's either a 12 mile hike in or a torturous 22 mile road that even our Jeep could not handle. Today we took a guided tour with Off-road vehicles that offered an exciting adventure to get there! Was an all day outting that was certainly like nothing we had ever done before. Getting to see Wheeler was amazing, the bumpy, muddy trip up and back was spectacular.

A grey Jay stealing a bit of our lunch

Stopped for lunch along the road. Our guide cooked us hot dogs on a little grill. Still too dry to allow open fires in the national forest.

Views at 12,000 ft are amazing.

Drive up a 4x4 road.

We took the Jeep up to the top of Bristol Head which is a recognizable mountain that looms out of the landscape.  Well, we didn't go all the way to the summit but far enough to experience a 4x4 road and see some amazing views. The weather was a typical mountain thunderstorm approaching which made the views even more dramatic. 

That bald mountain on the left is Bristol Head. Apparently named so because it is reminiscent of the Bristol Head in England

Took my breath away right here!!

Once you get to the top of the bluff you find yourself in this wide mountain meadow with a couple of stream crossings before you turn to go to the very top. A good look at approaching thunderstorm. 

More stuff

I did a trail ride while Will took an extended bike ride!

Took in our first show at the Creede Repertory Theater. "Patsy Cline" was a two woman show that was basically a concert of her music plus the telling of her legacy. As usual, they did an amazing job. We will take in a couple more shows before we leave.

Lower Clear Creek Falls is such a surprise. It flows across a flat plain and then just falls into this sudden deep ravine with thunderous energy.

We can see the fish in the clear, cold waters even if we can't always catch them.

These high elevation wildflowers are amazing. You find them in mountain Meadows but also in the driest rocky hillsides. Such tenacity.

Hiking and Jeeping and Fishing

Gateway to our RV park/resort.

Stream crossing on Ivy Creek Trail. Yep, we had to balance on those downed timbers to get across...either that or very wet feet. Even with vertigo issues he methodically dances across.

Contemplative moment along Ivy Creek Trail.

This is what we got the Jeep for. . .6 miles up a 4wheel drive road to Regan Lake. Took 45 mins to navigate the rocky, rutty road.

To this glorious spot.

Catching Brook Trout now.

Creede

Overlooking the town of Creede, Colorado. Packed up and moved here and will be here for a good two weeks. We have grown to really like this place and have managed to come back every year for some amount of time. Up in the San Juan mountains of Colorado, Creede is an old mining town in Mineral County that has reinvented itself as a hub for fishing, and everything outdoors in the mountains, it's the county seat. . .infact it is the only town in Mineral County!!  The Rio Grand River runs through it, in fact the headwaters are "just up the road."

If I move my camera to the left I get this view of Creede, it's really tucked into the hills.

We are staying at a private campground that is part of a popular resort called "Antlers." We always stay here, like it a lot.  The Rio Grand goes right through the property.

And we can enjoy full hookups, and good wifi/cell service for a change. If the sky looks a bit unsettled, that is because it is. It's raining!!  Moisture so badly needed. First rain we have had this summer on our travels.  Hope this comes to Tucson soon!!

Big Meadow

We are at Big Meadow Reservoir campground just short of Wolf Creek Pass. 3 days here of amazingly good fishing, hiking around the lake and enjoying the incredible scenery. 

Fun fishing when they are biting like they are here.  Yesterday's count alone, between the two of us was 14!! We catch and release so just the fun of fishing for Rainbow!

That's our "spot"' we did well here!

 A panorama of lake with campground on hillside.

Barking Marmots!

Colorado state flower, the Blue Columbine

He's cooking!

Buena Vista for 2 days

Found a private campground on the edge of town with full hookups so we could dump our black water, fill tanks with fresh water, get some groceries-- we are always eating--laundry, and couple other errands. 

Driving around to see what we could find and ended up at summit of Cottonwood Pass

Found a short trail to hike.

Tried to go down a road to Cottonwood Lake but had to turn around as a tree was across the road. Must have happened quite recently as there were a number of cars lined up behind it, trying to leave the lake. As we were turning around to head back a sheriff's car was approaching so help was on the way. The road dead ends at the lake so anybody on the other side was stuck there until help came with a chain saw.

Evening soak at a funky hot springs along the road up to the Pass.

More Twin Lakes

Hiking Twin Lakes area. Lots of great hiking around here. The highest mountain in Colorado is Mt Elbert which is right here. It is considered one of the "easier" of the "14ers" to climb. Well, maybe for some, but we are happy with the trails at the base and around the lakes. Amazing views. The Colorado Trail AND the Continental Trail merge here for a little while. Hiking through Pine forests and Aspen groves.

We didn't get to do the train out of Chama so settled on the 2 1/2 hour narrated train tour out of Leadville. Very pleasant ride as we listened to lots of history of mining around Leadville--thats the reason for these tracks up into the mountains. It was Sunday afternoon and train was not at all crowded so we could move about the train at will to take in best views.

And yes, this. . .we have been struggling since we left home trying to get the new Lithium batteries to work properly with our solar system and after several attempts to fix it, modify it, change out charge controller, we finally gave up. The idiosyncrasies of our coach, and the specific specifications of the high powered batteries was not working properly. Gave up, bought two new regular deep cell batteries. . .and got on with it. Will was tearing his hair out trying to get it to work properly--and he doesn't have much to loose!!