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Although my thoughts have been turning to winter, the beautiful fall weather offered a chance to explore another 14er without resorting to snowshoes/skis yet, so I recruited mattb528 to hike/run San Luis Peak in the San Juans.
Matt
We spent the night at Gunnison and set out for the trailhead on Saturday morning. The drive from Gunnison was surprisingly long but mostly on good dirt roads that can be navigated by any 2WD with careful driving. Our hike began up the scenic Stewart Creek drainage.
San Luis trailhead
The trail gently inclined beside Stewart Creek, which was dammed by a series of scenic beaver dams.
Stewart Creek beaver dam
Beaver dam
Eventually, the trail crossed Stewart Creek, with some early season ice showing in shaded areas.
Icy Stewart Creek
Icicles
After a few miles of easy hiking, we saw the slope to mount the ridge to the summit. The switchback trail which ascends the left slope in the picture, was the only steep hiking in the day. There was a bit of snow on the trail but it was easily navigated without extra traction.
Slope to the summit ridge
Dave headed up the trail
The summit (on the left) and the rest of the route was displayed after we topped the slope. We met another 14er climber, AlabamaTLC on his way down. We would be chatting with him later back at the trailhead. (nice to meet you!)
Summit ridge
The remainder of the hike went quickly, with a pause to cover up from the increasing winds. The summit was sheltered from the wind and provided us with great views including Uncompahgre & Wetterhorn in the distance. The survey marker on San Luis is on a loose block that resembles a concrete cinder block. That was a new sight for me.
Summit block
Uncompahgre & Wetterhorn
We enjoyed an easy trail run on the gentle descent.
Matt showing some crazy trail running speed
After another tour of the many beaver dams, we chatted up AlabamaTLC and then retired to Gunnison for dinner. What a great hike to wrap up the fall!
More beaver dams
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Some of the beaver dams out there are quite the engineering feat. I remember seeing some along Cochetopa Creek that were terraced and being so fascinated by them. Great report and pictures!
Enjoyed chatting with you and Matt... 10/12/2012 2:42am
Dave, nice job on the trip report and great pictures. If it had not been for that wind, the day would have been perfect!! Regardless, the 5 of us that were out there that day enjoyed every last second. Thanks for the mention within the report. It was very kind of you. I still cannot believe how FAST you and Matt got up to the summit, from the top of the slope/first saddle, and down to the trailhead, arriving only 10 minutes behind me. I should have taken a picture of you and Matt at the trailhead, upon your return...what a sight. Again, nice job and I hope to run across you and Matt again.
I was the guy in orange coat with gold and black dogs (Grace and Molly). Met you just above timberline; I was with MichaelJ. Thanks for sharing the good pics.
Firey Bear, the trail up San Luis was a fun, mild incline for running (better with a lighter pack). You gotta try a run with Matt. He was killin' me, but the scenery allowed me to ignore him and enjoy myself. :lol:
Grant, it was a pleasure running into you and meeting your well-behaved, sweet dogs. What a great day in the mountains we shared!
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