Crystal Dam and Rim Rock Trail

Jellystone of Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 5, 2015

Last Sunday after a very leisurely morning and a yummy brunch in town (Thank you Ronnie and Carol!), we set out to drive down into the Black Canyon. East Portal Road, a right turn just inside the NP takes you there. The road is extremely steep with hairpin curves...
exciting and a beautiful drive. 



We were pleasantly surprised to find we had a bit of a history lesson. It seems that back in 1905, the community of East Portal brought together a group of people to build a tunnel that would transfer a portion of the Gunnison River water to the fields in the valley. Their work from 1905 to 1912, drove a tunnel 11 feet X 12 feet for 6 miles through the cliffs of the Black Canyon to carry water for irrigation and helped to ensure the survival of communities.  Theodore Roosevelt passed the Reclamation Act in 1902 "for the purpose of reclaiming the arid West by irrigating lands".  
The act charged the appointed Chief Engineer of the new Bureau of Reclamation to proceed with building five projects which included the Gunnison Tunnel. 

Today, irrigation water usually flows through the tunnel from April through October. The river supplies 6 primary canals. From these canals water flows into secondary ditches and eventually into farm lands. 

Even though the tunnel was dedicated in 1909, it wasn't until 1922 that the project was completed. A diversion dam was also built. The purpose of the dam was to slow down the flow of water and catch debris. The end result is a reservoir of calm (well, mostly calm), beautiful green water ideal for fishing. 

The dam is protected by a gate...no public entry so this picture was taken thru the fencing. 

The Gunnison River just past the dam.

The reservoir

And the Gunnison is free to flow wild again...

Our only wildlife for the day.

Riding on the canyon floor was amazing...looking up and up and up.

Looking back on East Portal Road as we climbed out of the canyon.

We also had planned a short hike for the afternoon. 

Rim Rock Trail follows the rim of the canyon lined with sagebrush, Gamble oaks, and junipers. The clouds were all around us, the air was thick with moisture, but that didn't deter us...

until we heard thunder! Our hike was cut short!

The trail meanders thru a thicket of scrub oaks.

I walked as far out on that rock as I could...

We went from this view...

to this view...

to this view in just a matter of a few minutes! 

We were wet and cold when we reached Pearl. 





So until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Yankee Boy Basin/Wrights Lake Spur

Jellystone of Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 4, 2015



Yesterday, our sights were on the San Juans. Our trail of choice was Yankee Boy Basin. Actually that was the seond choice, but Imogene Pass is still closed due to snow.

Yankee Boy Basin is an alpine basin with stunning beauty. Access is by foot, bike or a moderate rated 4X4 trail.  


The first part of the trail is Camp Bird Road. It is easy and wide and lined with spruce, pines and aspens.

We always go slow with the windows down to enjoy the smell of evergreens and moist dirt.

 The last section of trail gives this trail it's moderate rating...it is rocky with a couple of ledgy spots and the higher you climb, the more narrow and steep the trail gets.

A gate at the upper portion is closed until the snow melts in late June or early July.

 Our first stop was Twin Falls on Sneffels Creek...I love hiking here from bottom to top and back down again. 

 There are paths for walking among the wildflowers...

...and rocks for scrambling to get close to the falls.

Colorful wildflowers carpet the ground...

The water is crystal clear and very cold.

 From Twin Falls, the end of trail is just under 2 miles and our second stop. High Point is 12,400 ft. and the suggested best time of year to go is mid July-September.

Yellow Indian Paintbrush

Until next time,

 HAPPY TRAILS!