Back in the summer of 1996 Kent, Andrew and I made our first trip to Pagosa Springs, Colorado on a camping trip, we really enjoyed the Hot Springs and the beauty of the area. Fast forward to August 2012, Kent and I just returned from our fourth trip there in the last 12 months. Each time we've fished new streams and discovered new trails to hike. This past week we really stepped out of our comfort zone on two good hikes. During the week we covered about 25 miles of trails in the higher elevations with some great views. Getting to
Pagosa Peak and back was no small feat, traveling 3.8 miles of rough road took one hour and the hike was strenuous, it took 2 hours to hike 1.6 miles each way....up, up, up all the way to 12,640.....but we did it and it felt good! If you've never visited this area before we hope you enjoy a trip through our adventures.
 |
| We stopped to fish at Treasure Creek |
 |
| Rocky Mountain Fringed Gentian |
 |
| Treasure Creek |
 |
| The stream was so clear we could see the fish, but we couldn't catch them! |
 |
| We enjoyed our stay at Platoro |
 |
| Cabin #6 was our "Home away from Home" |
 |
| Rustic and remote, but comfortable.....no TV, no Cell Phone service |
 |
| A kitchenette, beds and hot running water.....out in the boonies! |
 |
| Marking the Waypoint on the GPS |
 |
| Heading out on the trail |
 |
| The trail splits here, we'll go to the left |
 |
| Blue Lake is where we are headed |
 |
| Taking a break |
 |
| Beautiful valley along the trail |
 |
| Hiking along |
 |
| One-quarter mile to go! |
 |
| 12 miles roundtrip! |
 |
| We made it! |
 |
| What a pretty spot |
 |
| We had the place all to ourselves |
 |
| 11,500 ft. elevation |
 |
| A peaceful reward |
 |
| Painted daisies |
 |
| Pretty little flowers |
 |
| Boy Scouts keeping their food safe from bears while on a day hike |
 |
| Kent fished and the fish laughed! |
 |
| Colorful lichen |
 |
| Kent did manage to "hook" his backpack! |
 |
| The south end of the lake |
 |
| On our hike out we met some Outfitters on the trail |
 |
| We hiked along the El Rito Azul most of the trail |
 |
A Brookie Kent caught at Adams Fork after the hike, his first catch of this trip
 |
| Aerial view of the Blue Lake Trail |
|
 |
| We drank a bit of water on our return from Blue Lake |
 |
| Outdoor church at Platoro |
 |
| The Platoro Valley has several cabins |
 |
| We stopped to hike into Crater Lake on our way back to Pagosa |
 |
| Quite a scenic area |
 |
| The Continental Divide Trail connects to this trail |
 |
| Hiking above the tree line |
 |
| Looking towards Crater Lake |
 |
| We hiked about 4 miles round-trip and topped out at 12,100 ft. |
 |
| Fishing at Park Creek on our way back to Pagosa |
 |
| We hope to conquer Elwood Pass someday, but not in our vehicle! |
 |
| Interesting looking craggy mountains |
 |
| We hiked to Silver Falls, there wasn't much of a trail |
 |
| It was hard to photograph the Falls |
 |
| Silver Falls is south of Wolf Creek Pass |
 |
| Cute cabin......notice the Satellite Dish on the right |
 |
| A sign of the monsoon season |
 |
| Looks like a spaceship |
 |
| East Fork of the San Juan River |
 |
| Our condo at Wyndham Pagosa |
 |
| Kent checking his work emails....for peace of mind......even on vacation |
 |
| Full moon |
 |
| Hot Air Balloons early the next morning |
 |
| Middle Fork of the Piedra River |
 |
| Brown Trout |
 |
| A good sized trout for this river |
 |
| Releasing the trout |
 |
| Even I caught a trout |
 |
| Cute Country School House |
 |
| A peek inside |
 |
| Beautiful countryside |
 |
| A summer storm brewing |
 |
| It's amazing how dark the sky can become in just minutes |
 |
| The sun shines on Pagosa Peak |
 |
| Those are some tall peaks |
 |
| Piedra Road.......The good road |
 |
| Morning mist in the valley |
 |
| We spooked some elk, earlier we saw two foxes and a bear! |
 |
| There's the top, it's still a ways off |
 |
| It was steep, we gained one foot of elevation for every three and a half feet we hiked |
 |
| Almost there...... |
 |
| WE MADE IT!!!! This was the hardest 1.6 miles we've ever hiked! 12,640 ft |
 |
| It feels like we're on top of the world |
.
 |
| Awesome views |
 |
| Wow! |
 |
| A group of five hikers and 3 dogs were behind us on the trail, they never caught up with us until we reached the top |
 |
| That's us way over yonder |
 |
Heading back down
 |
| Aerial view of our hike up Pagosa Peak |
|
 |
| Fireweed |
 |
| We always look forward to changing our shoes and socks after a hike |
 |
| Fishing an irrigation canal |
 |
| Hiking along Turkey Creek |
 |
| Over the plank |
 |
| We hiked 4 miles roundtrip to Turkey Creek |
 |
| Lots of butterflies |
 |
| Turkey Creek......cool and refreshing |
 |
| One last try in the irrigation canal |
 |
| A horny toad lizard, we haven't seen many since leaving Flagstaff |
 |
| A couple of grouse were sneaking around the bushes |
 |
| Lower end of Turkey Creek |
 |
| Hot Air Balloon taking off |
