Pass Creek Hike on Engineer Mountain

Jellystone RV Park of the Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 30, 2014

Our change in altitude has not been so kind to Joe. Taking the trails in Pearl had not been a problem, but hiking has been...some fatigue and shortness of breath. So, imagine my excitement when Sue and Paul invited me to join them on a hike with their Cobble Creek Hikers Club. Their hike was planned for Wednesday (7/30) about 13 miles south of Silverton. It was early to rise to beat the afternoon thunder storms forecast for the day. As it turned out, its a good thing Joe didn't go because it was about an 8 hour excursion.

Gaining 2,300 feet in about 2.8 miles, this out-and-back climbs the slopes of Engineer Mountain. The rewards are the high-altitude wildflowers and spectacular views.

Right from the beginning it was a mouth dropper for me...to be walking on this narrow path lined with wildflowers as tall as I am was like a dream come true. As usual, I found myself at the back of the line. I sure didn't want to hold anyone up photographing everything in sight...and this was just the beginning! Imagine being face to face with these beauties.

Mix in some Tall Larkspur and Cow Parsley...worked great to keep my mind off the fact we were traversing a steep grassy slope.

 Our climb intensified as we entered the spruce-fir forest...but not to worry. There was plenty there to keep me occupied.

You know how I love trees, bark, ferns, forest smells, damp dirt, green, more green, other colors, shapes, anything that moves...just
 everything about the forest!






So what did I see?

A hummingbird...

horses...











tiny bits of color hiding among the green...

a helper...

many beautiful clumps of Columbine...

 red, purple, and cream...



Red Columbine

Elephant Flower

Ram's Horn (Curly Lousewort)

a butterfly...

a lake...

rocks...

very tall trees and very short flowers...

and a friend...

just to name a few.

We continued to climb past the tree-line. As promised, our efforts were rewarded by panoramic views and fields of flowers.

No one in our group chose to climb to the summit...another 0.6-mile out-and-back and 700 feet in elevation...rock scrambling required!

Summit of Engineer Mountain

 The Montrose-Ouray area offers so much to satisfy adventurous spirits. We have just begun to scratch the surface here. Every second spent in this part of Colorful Colorado has been "the icing on the cake" so to speak. One of the many reasons we have chosen to full-time RV...what a life! I am already counting down the days till we can return. Sue says I must see the aspens in the fall. Sounds mighty nice to me!

 Friends Ronnie and Carol and Dave and Lynn moved on to new adventures this past Wednesday while I was hiking.

Lynn, Dave, Allie and "Red" in the back spot...Ronnie, Carol, Cooper and Jade in the front...safe travels to all!

 Today was our packing up day. Tomorrow we head to Moab for awhile. So, until next time...follow your heart...

Alpine Marsh-Marigold

 and happy trails!

 

Up next...not sure, so stay tuned!

Up and Over Imogene Pass...

Jellystone RV Park of the Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 28, 2014

The Imogene Pass road was built in 1880 for access to Ouray from the Tomboy Mine. Tomboy Mine was situated high above Telluride.  

We began the trail on Camp Bird Road (see the Yankee Boy Basin post). There are signs for a left turn for Imogene about 6.8 miles into Camp Bird Road. We were glad this SUV was first at the Imogene  Creek crossing.  

Sue and Paul (who we met last year in Moab )  (www.youngerday.blogspot.com) have a brand new home here in Montrose. They suggested this trail...a winner in our book! 

We led, Paul and Sue followed and Ronnie and Carol brought up the rear.

Our trusty Guide book states...

Moderate. Do not take this trip lightly. The road is rocky, steep, and narrow in places and passing can be dangerous. Stock SUVs should have low-range gearing, 4-wheel drive, high clearance, and skid plates.

On our first stop I noticed this patch of snow...new growth peeking thru the very wet ground.




The higher we climbed the more the flowers flourished...

 I think I made a mistake in identifying this white flower. On the Ophir Pass we saw them growing tall among the aspens. I called it Queen Anne's Lace. I bought a book (Wild About Wildflowers by Katherine Darrow) today in Ouray and now I think they are Cow Parsley which can grow to 6 feet tall. Both plants are in the Parsley family.  

  A quote from Edna St. Vincent Millay..."I will be the gladdest thing under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one." I think I was the gladdest thing!

Near and above the treeline we saw clumps of tundra paintbrush...a first for me.

And here we are...Imogene Pass at 13,114 feet. Imogene Pass is the highest pass road in the San Juan Mountains. It is also the second highest pass road in the U.S.

 I think this is a weather station at the pass.








Did I mention spectacular views?

 A look at Telluride...

 These tiny yellow flowers were enjoying the day...

They were no more that 5 inches tall.

Alpine Buttercups...common above the treeline. They are usually pollinated by flies which are more cold-hardy than bees.

Carol caught me stomping thru the snow...

We had gone a little over 5 miles (just on Imogene pass) to reach the top.

The ride down took us past mountains of snow...

...thru more meadows of wildflowers...

...around and past Tomboy Ghost Town...

...in the rain and clouds...

 ...thru Social Tunnel...

...close to the wet aspen leaves...

 ...and right into Telluride.

This was the last ride for us this trip to Montrose...each ride a little higher in elevation and a little more difficult. All three rides were spectacular in their own way. I have never seen meadows and fields of wildflowers like the ones I saw on these rides. This is a perfect time of year to visit...even with the rains and storms we enjoyed every afternoon. Returning to the Montrose-Ouray area is definitely something we want to do...maybe we will see what its like in the fall.

Until next time...

happy trails!

 

Up next...a hike on Pass Creek Trail...