Colorado’s San Juans comprise a few of the most spectacular, rugged mountains within the decrease 48. From alpine lakes to alpine meadows, and towering 14ers, this area of the state actually has all of it.
The San Juan mountain vary comprises many mountains above 14,000 ft and numerous different peaks above 12,000 ft. The summer time months include entry to the excessive alpine and exquisite wildflowers. Outdated mining cities summarize the San Juan area. These at the moment are nice locations to remain whereas exploring the good climbing.
Whereas the San Juans comprise a few of the most rugged mountains within the decrease 48, this doesn’t imply that they comprise probably the most difficult hikes within the decrease 48. Nonetheless, the San Juan area has harmful mountain thunderstorms.
When climbing on this area, it’s extremely essential to get beneath the treeline as early as potential. That is as a way to keep away from the potential of a thunderstorm. A lightning strike will be deadly. Mountain climate is unpredictable. You should definitely verify the climate earlier than you head out for a hike, however simply know that afternoon thunderstorms can kind any day. An awesome rule of thumb is to get beneath treeline earlier than 1 pm, 2 pm on the newest.
One other essential issue to think about for climbing within the San Juans is the snowpack. Snow will be up at excessive altitudes nicely into the center of the summer time. It’s finest to inspect situations from different path customers on Alltrails.com, or additionally on 14ers.com.
One thing else to think about is automobile entry. Lots of the trailheads are accessible solely by 4WD vehicles. We did our greatest to solely listing trailheads that aren’t restricted to 4WD drive entry, however the highway situations can change. As with snowpack standing, make sure you verify highway standing within the person feedback. Nonetheless, having a succesful 4WD automobile will be among the best methods to expertise this space, as there are various passes accessible solely by 4WD.
When climbing within the San Juans it’s best to day hike from one of many former mining cities within the space. Contemplate staying in Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Durango, or Lake Metropolis to remain centrally positioned with quick access to climbing within the area. As a result of space’s ruggedness, even simply driving alongside the million-dollar freeway is spectacular. You’ll perceive in a short time why some individuals name this space the Switzerland of America!
As a result of area’s excessive altitude, make sure you be educated on the indicators and prevention for diseases related to excessive altitude. It may be harmful to acclimatize too shortly. You should definitely begin with some simpler hikes earlier than trying a 14er or one thing strenuous and at a excessive altitude!
Greatest Hikes Within the San Juan Area
The following part will check out a few of the hottest hikes within the San Juan area. This can embody the good San Juan area aside from the Weimuche wilderness, as this widespread space deserves its personal article!
For probably the most half, these hikes will go from best, to hardest, as a way to put together you for a few of the hardest 14ers within the state! A lot of the hikes are both to gorgeous alpine lakes or to towering alpine peaks! Mountain climbing within the Colorado San Juan mountains is an expertise to not miss.
1) Bear Creek Path
Size: 5 miles
Elevation Acquire: 1,092 ft
Simply flew or drove right down to the San Juans? This hike will heat you up for what’s to return! This hike actually begins in Telluride. The gradual climb up Bear Creek canyon supplies nice views of the city and the encompassing mountains. Within the fall these Aspens showcase their attractive colours. On the prime of this city, you may be rewarded with an excellent view of a big waterfall. Welcome to the San Juans!
2) Bridal Veil Falls to Blue Lake
Size: 5.7 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 1,843 ft
That is one other widespread hike that may be performed proper from the city of Telluride. This hike is about 75% extra elevation than the Bear Creek path. You’ll need a excessive clearance automobile to make it as much as the trailhead, or be ready so as to add an extra 6 miles spherical journey to your hike. On this hike, you’ll move by waterfalls, have an excellent view of the city of Telluride, and the encompassing peaks. The very best half about this hike is attending to the gorgeous Blue Lake, which is rightfully named.
3) Hope Lake Path
Size: 6 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 1,515 ft
This widespread path close to the city of Ophir boasts some gorgeous mountain views in addition to entry to a different attractive alpine lake. On account of this lake’s location at excessive altitude, make sure you wait till midsummer to hike this one. Snow can final at this excessive elevation nicely into the beginning of July. Being that this isn’t that lengthy of a hike, with little elevation achieve, this too might be an excellent hike to begin with in your journey to the San Juans.
4) Chief Ouray Mine by way of Higher Cascade Falls Path
Size: 4.3 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 1,883 ft
This can be a nice path to not solely take a look at a few of the incredible views of the city of Ouray and surrounding peaks, nevertheless it additionally offers you a chance to discover a few of the historical past of the native mines. This hike additionally features a waterfall. Whereas the general elevation is just not an excessive amount of, be prepared for a gradual, steep, part up the switchbacks.
5) Columbine Lake Path
Size: 8.3 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 2,933 ft
One of many unimaginable half concerning the San Juans is the entry to some quite unimaginable alpine lakes. Not solely does this will let you hike as much as a shocking blue lake, nevertheless it additionally offers a shocking view of the mountains simply exterior of the city of Silverton. You should definitely take a look at this previous mining city. There are fairly a little bit of robust switchbacks, however the views of the mountains, the wildflowers, and the gorgeous colour of the alpine lake.
6) Ice Lake Basin
Size: 8.6 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 3,070 ft
That is one other incredible alpine lake hike with entry from simply off of the million-dollar freeway. Whereas this loop has you visiting a number of lakes, you may actually do a shorter model of this hike as a way to simply head as much as Ice Lake. This is among the most well-known alpine lakes within the area and spoils you with a deep turquoise blue. As a result of steep nature of the final two miles, a number of individuals really helpful bringing trekking poles to help with the tough, steep path.
7) Handies Peak
Size: 5.3 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 2,440 ft
Prepared for one thing just a little larger in elevation? Attempt Handies peak, one of many best 14ers within the state. With a category 1 ranking, a climbing size of just below 5.5 miles, and elevation lower than 2,500 vertical ft, this can be a nice 14er to deal with whereas within the San Juan area. Whereas that is thought-about a straightforward 14er, all 14ers ought to be taken critically. Begin early with a plan to be again beneath the treeline earlier than early afternoon.
8) Redcloud Peak
Size: 8.8 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 3,648 ft
On the lookout for one other nice hike within the space with some completely different surroundings? Look no additional than Redcloud peak. Redcloud peak is one other 14er, however this 14er has some completely different surroundings than the rugged San Juans you is perhaps used to. As a result of San Juan’s volcanic historical past, this peak has a desert look to it, with vivid reds and yellows. It’d sound corny, however the views from Redcloud peak are actually “otherworldly.”
9) Mount Sneffels from the Blue Lake Path
Size: 13.0 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 5,501 ft
Have you ever hiked all the pieces else within the space and are up for a higher problem? Prepare for a tricky 5,000 ft of vertical up certainly one of Colorado’s most well-known and daunting 14ers, Mount Sneffels. This hike actually has all of it and can be an excellent last hike earlier than leaving the San Juan mountains. That is the crown jewel of climbing within the San Juan mountains. Not solely do you get to hike previous the well-known blue lakes, however you additionally get to summit a shocking and well-known Colorado 14er. Make sure that to do extra analysis when enterprise this severe hike. It ought to be famous that this isn’t the one technique to hike Mount Sneffels, there are different trails to climb this peak.
10) Wetterhorn Peak and Uncompaghre Peak
Size: 17.5 Miles
Elevation Acquire: 6,407 ft
Did Mount Sneffels and need to proceed to problem your self? This is perhaps the subsequent hike for you. Not like the opposite hikes we now have talked about, this hike calls for sophistication 3 scrambling. Please solely try this hike when you have expertise scrambling at excessive altitudes. This hike lets you climb not one, however two 14ers within the space. The elevation achieve is quite grueling, make sure you be well-rested and get an early begin. Carry a number of water!
We hope this serves as an excellent primer for sending you off on some incredible hikes within the San Juan area! This space ought to be on the bucket listing for any severe, or novice hiker alike. Joyful climbing!
