Weminuche Creek water quality

[oldschoolczar]

I know there's some issues with heavy metals in this area.. does anyone know if the water from Wetterhorn Creek and the Weminuche Pass area in general is safe to drink?

[Aug_Dog]

I can't say whether it safe or not, but I remember looking at it and thinking, "no way I would drink that water." But, to each his own ...

[Gareth]

Nine years ago I drank water out of the creek at Weminuche Pass (near Rio Grande Pyramid) and I'm still alive.

[jeremy27]

For whatever reasons I can't seem to post the direct links but search the forum for a post called "Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn Logistics" and post called "Uncompahgre wilderness water"
should answer your questions.

[Fisching]

Camp Gladiator was there last year, so that might be the bigger concern to water quality.

[San Juan Ron]

The water at Weminuche Pass is fine as is most of the water in the area. However, there are a couple of creeks around Wetterhorn that are laced with heavy minerals and you might want to avoid those creeks. I have drank from those creeks and not had any problems, but wouldn't recommend it unless you didn't have any alternatives. SJ Ron

[screeman57]

You can tell if the water's bad by the rock discoloration around the streambed. There was a good thread on this last year:

http://14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35703

[Roald]

Camp Gladiator was there last year, so that might be the bigger concern to water quality.

While filtering water I saw something float by and I figured maybe someone had accidentally dropped a Baby Ruth in the creek. Forgot about the CG visit, now I know what it really was.

[oldschoolczar]

Oh.. I meant Weminuche Creek, not Wetterhorn I'd seen that thread before, very interesting!

[gdthomas]

The water in Weminuche Creek is fine as mountain streams go. I'd still use a purifier, filter, etc., however.