San Luis Peak Trip Report 07/08/2010

Peak(s):	San Luis Peak - 14,023 feet
Date Posted:	07/08/2010
Date Climbed:	07/08/2010
Author:	CCU_Jim

San Luis from the Colorado Trail
Hiking Party: Myself, my wife Jessica, Greg, Tammy, Rich, plus four dogs: Breckenridge, MacGuyver, River, and Birdy. Route: South Ridge, via Colorado Trail segments 20 & 21 heading east, starting from Spring Creek Pass. Getting there: With the plan being to hike from the west end of segment 21 of the Colorado Trail to the east end of segment 20, we had to set up vehicles at both ends. The east end of segment 20 is at Eddiesville, a trailhead about a quarter mile past the Stewart Creek trailhead, on the same road. (*Note: Eddiesville and Stewart Creek are NOT the same trailhead. They are very close, but distinct trailheads about � mile apart.) We drove to Eddiesville first, taking the directions to Stewart Creek and continuing on to Eddiesville. We dropped a car off there, wrapped all of our packs in trash bags and strapped them on top of the car. Then we piled five people and four dogs into a Jeep Liberty and drove to Spring Creek Pass, off Highway 149 south of Lake City. The drive consisted of about 40 miles of dirt Forest Service roads, plus another 5-10 miles on 149. We made it through the dirt roads in just over 1.5 hours. I might have been less, had we not driven right by a couple moose, I mean moosen (any Brian Regan fans out there?). We stopped to get a better view, only to find a third even closer to the road, grabbing a quick drink from a pond. Or course, my camera was in my pack.... in a trash bag strapped to the top of the car, so no pics. I was very impressed with all of the dirt roads on this trip. They were all in great shape and easily passable with any car. The hike: We camped out at Spring Creek Pass Friday night and awoke at a reasonable hour Saturday morning. After packing up, I think we took off from camp about 7:30am. The hike begins with a fairly steep climb up to the top of Snow Mesa. About 1,400' in 2 miles or so. Looking out over the fog as we ascend up Snow Mesa. On top, about 12,300', we spread out our wet camping gear to let it dry in the sun and admired the views of Uncompaghre and Wetterhorn to the west. Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn from Snow Mesa. Crossing Snow Mesa was a breeze. Something like 200' elevation gain in 5 miles. About a mile into the mesa, we saw a sight that confirmed we were some of extremely remote parts of Colorado: a herd of elk, some 30-40 strong, running across the fields. Definitely a sight to behold. Herd of elk on Snow Mesa. At the end of the mesa, we grabbed a quick lunch and went up over a pass that took us close to 12,900'. From here, we quickly descended back near to treeline, though I don't think we quite hit it. The next part of the hike was a series of ups and downs as you cross the basins of West, Middle, and East forks of Mineral Creek. Approaching West Mineral Creek drainage. We passed several areas that were just loaded with Columbines during the hike. We finished up day one about half a mile shy of East Mineral Creek. Beyond East Mineral Creek is San Luis Pass, which required us to climb another 1,200' and put us back above treeline with storm clouds beginning to loom above. So, we stopped around 11,700' and set up camp for the night. It rained off and on for a few hours before clearing up again. Day two began early, though still later than we had desired. We left camp about 6:15-6:30. We used our fresh legs to climb over to San Luis Pass, peaking at about 12,900' and descended to 11,900' to the pass proper (and official end point of segment 21 and beginning - to us - of segment 20). From here, we had about 1,000' of vertical in about 4 miles to reach the saddle of San Luis Peak at 12,600'. San Luis and the saddle off to the right. I was beginning to struggle as we approached the saddle. About 20 miles and close to 5,000' with a full pack had taken its toll on my legs. Fortunately, once I arrived, I could drop my pack for the summit push. Right off the bat there was a very steep section. I plodded up slowly, taking many more breaks than I am used to. Looking back down at the saddle from about 13,100'. I was feeling alright, my legs just did not want to go uphill anymore. I'm not sure exactly how long it took me, probably two hours or so, but I finally made it to the top. I snapped a quick picture of Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre, only to find it was the last picture my camera would take before the batteries died. So, no summit shot. My dog, Breck, plopped down next to me on the summit and enjoyed his chance to rest. I rested up a bit, chatted with some friendly folks on the summit, and ate my reward, the summit apple. At this point, I was behind he rest of the group, so I hurried down back to the saddle. From the saddle it was only 8.8 miles to the car... and all downhill. We found a great camping spot about 4 miles shy of the Eddiesville trailhead. Although, we did have to cross a stream to get to it, and the single, very unsteady log "bridge" did not suffice. Most of us just swapped our hiking shoes for sandals and braved the frigid waters for a few steps. Day three was short and sweet. The final four miles only took about an hour and a half and we were glad to reach the pickup we had left there. We loaded up the back seat with a dog and most of the packs, left the ladies up front to drive/navigate, and the other three dogs and guys piled into the bed for a scenic ride back to Spring Creek Pass. Overall, it was a great weekend. Two sections of the Colorado Trail plus San Luis in 30+ miles and about 6,300' vertical. It's a shame it had to end with suffering through holiday weekend traffic on the way home, but it was worth it. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

San Luis from the Colorado Trail

Hiking Party: Myself, my wife Jessica, Greg, Tammy, Rich, plus four dogs: Breckenridge, MacGuyver, River, and Birdy.

Route: South Ridge, via Colorado Trail segments 20 & 21 heading east, starting from Spring Creek Pass.

Getting there: With the plan being to hike from the west end of segment 21 of the Colorado Trail to the east end of segment 20, we had to set up vehicles at both ends. The east end of segment 20 is at Eddiesville, a trailhead about a quarter mile past the Stewart Creek trailhead, on the same road. (*Note: Eddiesville and Stewart Creek are NOT the same trailhead. They are very close, but distinct trailheads about � mile apart.) We drove to Eddiesville first, taking the directions to Stewart Creek and continuing on to Eddiesville. We dropped a car off there, wrapped all of our packs in trash bags and strapped them on top of the car. Then we piled five people and four dogs into a Jeep Liberty and drove to Spring Creek Pass, off Highway 149 south of Lake City. The drive consisted of about 40 miles of dirt Forest Service roads, plus another 5-10 miles on 149. We made it through the dirt roads in just over 1.5 hours. I might have been less, had we not driven right by a couple moose, I mean moosen (any Brian Regan fans out there?). We stopped to get a better view, only to find a third even closer to the road, grabbing a quick drink from a pond. Or course, my camera was in my pack.... in a trash bag strapped to the top of the car, so no pics.

I was very impressed with all of the dirt roads on this trip. They were all in great shape and easily passable with any car.

The hike:
We camped out at Spring Creek Pass Friday night and awoke at a reasonable hour Saturday morning. After packing up, I think we took off from camp about 7:30am. The hike begins with a fairly steep climb up to the top of Snow Mesa. About 1,400' in 2 miles or so.

Looking out over the fog as we ascend up Snow Mesa.

On top, about 12,300', we spread out our wet camping gear to let it dry in the sun and admired the views of Uncompaghre and Wetterhorn to the west.

Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn from Snow Mesa.

Crossing Snow Mesa was a breeze. Something like 200' elevation gain in 5 miles. About a mile into the mesa, we saw a sight that confirmed we were some of extremely remote parts of Colorado: a herd of elk, some 30-40 strong, running across the fields. Definitely a sight to behold.

At the end of the mesa, we grabbed a quick lunch and went up over a pass that took us close to 12,900'. From here, we quickly descended back near to treeline, though I don't think we quite hit it. The next part of the hike was a series of ups and downs as you cross the basins of West, Middle, and East forks of Mineral Creek.

Approaching West Mineral Creek drainage.

We passed several areas that were just loaded with Columbines during the hike.

We finished up day one about half a mile shy of East Mineral Creek. Beyond East Mineral Creek is San Luis Pass, which required us to climb another 1,200' and put us back above treeline with storm clouds beginning to loom above. So, we stopped around 11,700' and set up camp for the night. It rained off and on for a few hours before clearing up again.

Day two began early, though still later than we had desired. We left camp about 6:15-6:30. We used our fresh legs to climb over to San Luis Pass, peaking at about 12,900' and descended to 11,900' to the pass proper (and official end point of segment 21 and beginning - to us - of segment 20). From here, we had about 1,000' of vertical in about 4 miles to reach the saddle of San Luis Peak at 12,600'.

San Luis and the saddle off to the right.

I was beginning to struggle as we approached the saddle. About 20 miles and close to 5,000' with a full pack had taken its toll on my legs. Fortunately, once I arrived, I could drop my pack for the summit push.

Right off the bat there was a very steep section. I plodded up slowly, taking many more breaks than I am used to.

Looking back down at the saddle from about 13,100'.

I was feeling alright, my legs just did not want to go uphill anymore. I'm not sure exactly how long it took me, probably two hours or so, but I finally made it to the top. I snapped a quick picture of Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre, only to find it was the last picture my camera would take before the batteries died. So, no summit shot.

My dog, Breck, plopped down next to me on the summit and enjoyed his chance to rest. I rested up a bit, chatted with some friendly folks on the summit, and ate my reward, the summit apple. At this point, I was behind he rest of the group, so I hurried down back to the saddle.

From the saddle it was only 8.8 miles to the car... and all downhill. We found a great camping spot about 4 miles shy of the Eddiesville trailhead. Although, we did have to cross a stream to get to it, and the single, very unsteady log "bridge" did not suffice. Most of us just swapped our hiking shoes for sandals and braved the frigid waters for a few steps.

Day three was short and sweet. The final four miles only took about an hour and a half and we were glad to reach the pickup we had left there. We loaded up the back seat with a dog and most of the packs, left the ladies up front to drive/navigate, and the other three dogs and guys piled into the bed for a scenic ride back to Spring Creek Pass.

Overall, it was a great weekend. Two sections of the Colorado Trail plus San Luis in 30+ miles and about 6,300' vertical. It's a shame it had to end with suffering through holiday weekend traffic on the way home, but it was worth it.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Doctor No

Very nice!
7/9/2010 3:47am

We came down San Luis via this route (back towards Stewart Creek TH) and the Cochetopa Valley sure popped with colour.

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