Southwest Colorado advice for newbie

[Drew151]

Hello All!

I am planning a trip to southwest Colorado in July with my wife and our 16-year-old son. I’m trying to create our itinerary and hoped some of you might be able to give me some insight.

I want to introduce my family to backpacking. I’m 47 and I’ve done some backpacking, but this will be a first-time camping/backpacking trip for us as a family. I’m most interested in making sure it’s a happy experience for my wife and my son. They are both in good shape and we have done quite a bit of hiking together, including some high-altitude hikes in other parts of Colorado. None of us have ever attempted to summit a 14er.

I would like to create an itinerary where we do maybe 3 overnight hikes. In my imagination these would each involve 1 or 2 nights camping somewhere along the trail. I between hikes we could/would find lodging in a hotel or rental in nearby town like Durango, Ouray, Silverton or Telluride.

We will be driving into Southwest Colorado in a full-sized Chevrolet Silverado. This truck is 4-wheel drive and well equipped for city driving, but it has stock suspension and normal clearance for a full-sized Chevy truck. The truck has a standard wheelbase and a 5-foot bed. I know getting to trailheads is an issue to contemplate, and I’m considering putting some more capable wheels and tires on the truck, but this would still be just a basic all-terrain tire and a steel wheel, nothing fancy.
I don’t want to create a stressful backpacking experience so I would like to keep our daily milage moderate and I would put a premium on trails or areas with peaceful and beautiful camping locations.

I am considering these 3 options, but I’m open to other ideas:

1. I have considered summiting Uncompahgre Peak as one of the excursions. I’m unsure if it would be better for my family to approach from Nellie Creek Road, or from another trailhead. Should we hike out from the Matterhorn/Wetterhorn Creek Trailhead? Can anyone tell me where the most desirable hiking and camping areas are going to be in this wilderness area? How bad will mosquitos be in mid-July? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Overall I would just like to have the best possible 3 day/2night excursion in this area, or possible 2 day/1 night trip here. Where will the best campsites be?

2. I have considered an overnight backpacking trip to Ice Lake Basin as one of the excursions. Can anyone tell me any details about the camping options in the lower basin? I have read that camping in the upper basin is discouraged. I have considered camping at Mineral Creek Campground, but I think I would prefer to avoid established campgrounds and backpack in a bit. Anyone with expertise in the area have any opinions on how they would divide up time and energy if you wanted to spend 48 hours or so in this area? I have a lot of flexibility with timing, so I can plan this in the middle of the week, trying to avoid the weekend crowds. Would this best be done as a day hike, and not an overnight? Any advice on this topic is appreciated.

3. I have considered doing a section of the CDT as an out and back excursion. Does anyone have any advice on what section of the San Juans would fit my goals? I’m looking for the sections with the most desirable campsites and hiking with beautiful views. We could either do 1 or 2 nights as an out and back. If you were going to do it this way, what section would you choose, and what trailhead would you use?

Are there any better 1-2 night backpacking options for a relatively inexperienced bunch of hikers like us? I have about 7-8 days to work with and I think we would be happiest with 3 shorter backpacking trips broken up by nights in town. Thanks in advance for any helpful information!

-Drew

[Monte Meals]

^ "This truck is 4-wheel drive and well equipped for city driving, but it has stock suspension and normal clearance for a full-sized Chevy truck."

Tires man - it's always about your tires.

Twice I've come across drivers with 4wd vehicles and city tires on forest service roads with tire problems.

Even moderately rough FS roads can cut down the side walls of highway tires.

[Drew151]

Thanks Monte. I think I will put new wheels and tires on the truck before we head that way. I'll get something tough.

[CheapCigarMan]

Ice Lakes is a special place.

Two other options to camp in the lower basin.

37.81197, -107.79105

37.81181, -107.79761

[seano]

Thanks Monte. I think I will put new wheels and tires on the truck before we head that way. I'll get something tough.

Also just take your time and pick your line. No need to rally the dirt roads.

As for places to go, if you’re more interested in peaceful camping and views, avoid the 14ers, Ice Lakes, and anywhere legally reached with a Jeep. The area east of the Animas and north of Silverton is nice (eg Cunningham Gulch), as are the Cimarrons near Ridgeway. Options in the Weminuche may require more distance than you want.

[Drew151]

Thank you CigarMan and Seano. Very helpful and much appreciated.