Silver Crk/Grizzly Gulch & West Willow Crk TH Questions

[ColoNativeGal]

Hey Community,

Couple of questions on these THs.

Silver Crk/Grizzly - reading the description and reports, plus seeing in the latest report a photo of a dually FX50, I'm assuming the shelf part of the road is not that narrow and large full size trucks have no issue(?) - but wanted to confirm.

West Willow Crk - this also seems relative tame and I should have no problem getting my 2016 F350 crew cab 8ft long bed single rear axle up it?

When do they close these THs for winter? I'm assuming not until significant snowfall?

Sorry, throwing in one last question - for those that have done 1 or both of the routes on San Luis peak - do people have a preference on which one is better?

Thanks in advance!

[ReginaThomas]

Both THs will be easily doable in your vehicle! We took a crosstrek to west willow creek 3x while the taco was in the shop.

Shelfy section is definitely shelfy on silver creek but has a few pullouts to let people pass.

Edit: just saw your other questions.

When they close just depends on snowfall. Not sure if there is a hard date that Hinsdale closes the gates but I believe it’s pretty late.

As far as routes to San Luis go. The route from
west Willow is above treeline most of the day so you need good weather. Stewart creek I think is a really pretty approach but if I had to choose only one to repeat I would do west willow. If you are comfortable with class 4 there is a 13er (13166) that shares the saddle with San Luis from west willow that is a SUPER fun short airy scramble you could add on.

[ColoNativeGal]

Awesome, thanks for info. Very helpful!

[HikesInGeologicTime]

Re: which approach for SLP…imho, they’re both gorgeous trails with largely forgiving grades. Going from the Creede side allows you to stay on the CDT for quite a ways, which is great for still having some breathing room (especially compared to the Front Range peaks) but not feeling like you’re the last person on Earth. Stewart Creek is also a well-traveled, easy-to-follow hike where you don’t need to stop to breathe as many times as you might on a steeper mountain, but you might want to anyway just because it is such a scenic area.

West Willow does have a stretch of uphill on the return that, while fairly mild, might not be something you're excited about handling on the way back, but going that way does mean you’re closer to civilization (in the form of Creede) on the drive in/out, so if you want to stop for a meal either direction, you’d be closer to a good chance to do so. But I personally don’t think you could go wrong with either route - San Luis is a beautiful mountain from either side.

[ColoNativeGal]

Excellent information, thank you. I appreciate the pros and cons for each side. I'd like to explore more of the CDT and closer to a good meal afterwards sounds very appealing. Thanks again!

[greenonion]

Re: which approach for SLP…imho, they’re both gorgeous trails with largely forgiving grades. Going from the Creede side allows you to stay on the CDT for quite a ways, which is great for still having some breathing room (especially compared to the Front Range peaks) but not feeling like you’re the last person on Earth. Stewart Creek is also a well-traveled, easy-to-follow hike where you don’t need to stop to breathe as many times as you might on a steeper mountain, but you might want to anyway just because it is such a scenic area.

West Willow does have a stretch of uphill on the return that, while fairly mild, might not be something you're excited about handling on the way back, but going that way does mean you’re closer to civilization (in the form of Creede) on the drive in/out, so if you want to stop for a meal either direction, you’d be closer to a good chance to do so. But I personally don’t think you could go wrong with either route - San Luis is a beautiful mountain from either side.

I much prefer west Willow/south side/Creede to do San Luis. Geo above mentions the climb back up while returning/descending. It is a thing but it’s not horrible. You will feel character building as you go uphill there, but no blood or tears needed, only sweat. Then it’s all downhill to the grub in Creede. And I like Creede too.

Have fun!

[ColoNativeGal]

I much prefer west Willow/south side/Creede to do San Luis. Geo above mentions the climb back up while returning/descending. It is a thing but it’s not horrible. You will feel character building as you go uphill there, but no blood or tears needed, only sweat. Then it’s all downhill to the grub in Creede. And I like Creede too.

Have fun!

Great, thanks. Do you have any good grub and places to stay recommendations in Creede?

Yeah not worried about the uphill, it will probably be a nice change of pace on the legs and I always look at it as additional good training, lol.

Thanks!

[greenonion]

I much prefer west Willow/south side/Creede to do San Luis. Geo above mentions the climb back up while returning/descending. It is a thing but it’s not horrible. You will feel character building as you go uphill there, but no blood or tears needed, only sweat. Then it’s all downhill to the grub in Creede. And I like Creede too.

Have fun!

Great, thanks. Do you have any good grub and places to stay recommendations in Creede?

Yeah not worried about the uphill, it will probably be a nice change of pace on the legs and I always look at it as additional good training, lol.

Thanks!

Well… “Most” grub is good for me after a long hike like that. There’s not a lot in Creede food wise other than Kips Grill and a hit or miss bbq walk up set up that I know of. But I do know that these are MUCH closer to finishing a hike of San Luis than Stewart creek side of things. BBQ thingy (Bob’s bbq??) may be closed for season by now. Maybe a couple other places in town but I haven’t been.


Or heading down the road 30 mins to South Fork gives some Mexican food and a little more. But these options are a lot quicker than finding anything from Stewart creek side.

I appreciate your (possible) food insecurity forethoughts on a post climb!! There’s a past, best food joints thread in CO, on this forum that might give better grub beta.

You’ll find food on that south side of San Luis if not too late in the season, but nothing from the Stewart/north side

Maybe margaritas too

[greenonion]

I only have limited experience on places to stay in the area that are near South Fork. A dispersed site and a commercial campground. Holler if details on that are needed

[ReginaThomas]

[/quote]

Great, thanks. Do you have any good grub and places to stay recommendations in Creede?

Yeah not worried about the uphill, it will probably be a nice change of pace on the legs and I always look at it as additional good training, lol.

Thanks!
[/quote]

Check out the Rainbow Lodge in South Fork. It was our go to when hiking those peaks last year and rates were incredibly reasonable! We didn't do top of the line anything because it's not like you're there long when you're getting up early to hike!

[madmattd]

Alternate route option that I don't see mentioned here yet: You can make a loop up the CT/CDT from Eddiesville to the South Ridge and down Stewart Creek (or reverse). It's a 5-10 minute walk between the trailheads. I thought the valley the CDT goes up from Eddiesville was pretty pleasant, you get a good look at the Organ Pipes on Organ, and it's a very good trail to the saddle between San Luis and Pt13166.

[ColoNativeGal]

I much prefer west Willow/south side/Creede to do San Luis. Geo above mentions the climb back up while returning/descending. It is a thing but it’s not horrible. You will feel character building as you go uphill there, but no blood or tears needed, only sweat. Then it’s all downhill to the grub in Creede. And I like Creede too.

Have fun!

Great, thanks. Do you have any good grub and places to stay recommendations in Creede?

Yeah not worried about the uphill, it will probably be a nice change of pace on the legs and I always look at it as additional good training, lol.

Thanks!

Well… “Most” grub is good for me after a long hike like that. There’s not a lot in Creede food wise other than Kips Grill and a hit or miss bbq walk up set up that I know of. But I do know that these are MUCH closer to finishing a hike of San Luis than Stewart creek side of things. BBQ thingy (Bob’s bbq??) may be closed for season by now. Maybe a couple other places in town but I haven’t been.


Or heading down the road 30 mins to South Fork gives some Mexican food and a little more. But these options are a lot quicker than finding anything from Stewart creek side.

I appreciate your (possible) food insecurity forethoughts on a post climb!! There’s a past, best food joints thread in CO, on this forum that might give better grub beta.

You’ll find food on that south side of San Luis if not too late in the season, but nothing from the Stewart/north side

Maybe margaritas too

Me too, honestly Wendy's (not my normal food of choice) has been working post hike for the last several missions so not super picky. Worst case is always a gas station, but much prefer something else over that. If the weather holds and my ankle heals then I'll be attempting this in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the beta!