Trips and Maps
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| Southwest Wilderness Outfitters,LLC 11651C Blanco Basin Road P.O. Box 1168 Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147 Phone/Fax: (970) 264-2655 SW_WildOutfit@yahoo.com |
Trips:
__________________________________________________________________________
Elevations for the following trips range from 8100 feet to just about 12,500 feet on our more
strenuous trips to the Continental Divide. Trip duration and rate of travel is tailored to meet your
group's specific needs.
Blanco River Walk - Rating: Easy. This is our day trip, which travels along the headwaters of
the Rio Blanco through thick evergreen forests and aspen glades. Our lunch stop and breaks
are on the banks of the river, where guests can toss in a fishing line or wade in the cool,
refreshing waters.
Quartz Lake Escape - Rating: Strenous with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet. The 4.7 mile hike
to this beautiful, sub-alpine passes through a splendid variety of mountain ecosystems. First,
we ascend a slope of rolling meadows with trickling streams and mature stands of aspen and
evergreens. We then travel along a narrow ridge with expansive views of both the Weminuche
and South San Juan Wilderness Areas and the valley below. Finally, we ascend through a
jagged pass, dropping into an awesome alpine environment, dotted with flowing springs and
brilliant wildflowers. After a minor descent, we arrive at the scenic Quartz Lake in all of its
serene beauty, with waterfalls, jumping fish, herds of deer and elk, and an expanse of colorful
alpine vegetation. Fishing, hiking, photography and relaxation abound in this high-altitude
escape.
South San Juan Wilderness Lake Tour - Rating: Strenuous to Difficult at 8 to 12 miles with an
elevation gain of 4,000 feet. This is an overnight trip, ranging from 2 to 3 nights, with stops at
Fish Lake and other scenic and surreal lakes dotting this section of the Wilderness. Camping
at one or more lakes, with day hikes to check out the rest. Hiking, fishing, nature photography
and a wide variety of back country recreation opportunities are prevalent in this high altitude
region of the Wilderness.
Rio Blanco Headwaters - Rating: Moderate. This hike, which is an overnight extension of the
Blanco River Walk, continues along the headwaters of the pristine Rio Blanco and ascends the
west side of this scenic river canyon through deep evergreen forests and mountain meadows.
We pass several of the tributaries which feed the river and camp near some of the cascading
waterfalls which typify this back country wilderness. This is an overnight trip, ranging from 1 to 2
nights.
Flattop Mountain, via Opal Lake - Rating: Difficult with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet. This is an
aggressive day or an overnight trip. The trip begins with a lunch break at the scenic Opal Lake,
and then continues on through aspen glades and towering spruce/fir forests to our spike camp
at the base of Flattop Mountain. Trekkers can then ascend the peak, which tops out at an
elevation of 11,472 feet. Currently unavailable due to unfavorable trail conditions.
Do you have another trip in mind in the South San Juan Wilderness? Let us know and we'll
make every effort to accommodate your plans.
__________________________________________________________________________
Elevations for the following trips range from 8100 feet to just about 12,500 feet on our more
strenuous trips to the Continental Divide. Trip duration and rate of travel is tailored to meet your
group's specific needs.
Blanco River Walk - Rating: Easy. This is our day trip, which travels along the headwaters of
the Rio Blanco through thick evergreen forests and aspen glades. Our lunch stop and breaks
are on the banks of the river, where guests can toss in a fishing line or wade in the cool,
refreshing waters.
Quartz Lake Escape - Rating: Strenous with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet. The 4.7 mile hike
to this beautiful, sub-alpine passes through a splendid variety of mountain ecosystems. First,
we ascend a slope of rolling meadows with trickling streams and mature stands of aspen and
evergreens. We then travel along a narrow ridge with expansive views of both the Weminuche
and South San Juan Wilderness Areas and the valley below. Finally, we ascend through a
jagged pass, dropping into an awesome alpine environment, dotted with flowing springs and
brilliant wildflowers. After a minor descent, we arrive at the scenic Quartz Lake in all of its
serene beauty, with waterfalls, jumping fish, herds of deer and elk, and an expanse of colorful
alpine vegetation. Fishing, hiking, photography and relaxation abound in this high-altitude
escape.
South San Juan Wilderness Lake Tour - Rating: Strenuous to Difficult at 8 to 12 miles with an
elevation gain of 4,000 feet. This is an overnight trip, ranging from 2 to 3 nights, with stops at
Fish Lake and other scenic and surreal lakes dotting this section of the Wilderness. Camping
at one or more lakes, with day hikes to check out the rest. Hiking, fishing, nature photography
and a wide variety of back country recreation opportunities are prevalent in this high altitude
region of the Wilderness.
Rio Blanco Headwaters - Rating: Moderate. This hike, which is an overnight extension of the
Blanco River Walk, continues along the headwaters of the pristine Rio Blanco and ascends the
west side of this scenic river canyon through deep evergreen forests and mountain meadows.
We pass several of the tributaries which feed the river and camp near some of the cascading
waterfalls which typify this back country wilderness. This is an overnight trip, ranging from 1 to 2
nights.
Flattop Mountain, via Opal Lake - Rating: Difficult with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet. This is an
aggressive day or an overnight trip. The trip begins with a lunch break at the scenic Opal Lake,
and then continues on through aspen glades and towering spruce/fir forests to our spike camp
at the base of Flattop Mountain. Trekkers can then ascend the peak, which tops out at an
elevation of 11,472 feet. Currently unavailable due to unfavorable trail conditions.
Do you have another trip in mind in the South San Juan Wilderness? Let us know and we'll
make every effort to accommodate your plans.
Directions to the base camp from Pagosa Springs:
_________________________________________________________________
Travel south on U.S. Hwy 84. At about 8 miles, look for the “Blanco River Road” sign on your
left. This is also known as County Road 326. Go left and proceed 11.6 miles, watching for the
"11651" signs on a fence post to your right. Go right ,down this private road, past the barn to the
first group of cabins on your left.
_________________________________________________________________
Travel south on U.S. Hwy 84. At about 8 miles, look for the “Blanco River Road” sign on your
left. This is also known as County Road 326. Go left and proceed 11.6 miles, watching for the
"11651" signs on a fence post to your right. Go right ,down this private road, past the barn to the
first group of cabins on your left.
Directions to the trailheads from Pagosa Springs:
_________________________________________________________________
Little Blanco - Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 84 for 1/8 mile, turn turn left on Mill Creek Road (FDR
662). Proceed 6.5 miles, then at the junction take Nipple Mountain Road (FDR 665) to the right.
Continue 9.5 miles to the trailhead.
Fish Lake - Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 84 for 8 miles then turn left on the Blanco Basin Road
(County Road 326). Travel 10 miles to Castle Creek Road (FDR 660) and turn right. At the
junction with the road to Opal Lake, stay to the left for another 3.5 miles to the trailhead.
_________________________________________________________________
Little Blanco - Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 84 for 1/8 mile, turn turn left on Mill Creek Road (FDR
662). Proceed 6.5 miles, then at the junction take Nipple Mountain Road (FDR 665) to the right.
Continue 9.5 miles to the trailhead.
Fish Lake - Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 84 for 8 miles then turn left on the Blanco Basin Road
(County Road 326). Travel 10 miles to Castle Creek Road (FDR 660) and turn right. At the
junction with the road to Opal Lake, stay to the left for another 3.5 miles to the trailhead.
Copyright © 2011 Southwest Wilderness Outfitters,LLC. All rights reserved.
| Southwest Wilderness Outfitters, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider operating under special use permit in the San Juan National Forest. Permit number PAG403 |