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 Toll Free: (888) 246-0970 SW_WildOutfit@yahoo.com |
Trips:
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Elevations for the following trips range from around 8200 feet to just around 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: Moderate. The 4.7 mile hike to this beautiful, subalpine lake first
ascends a slope covered with mature aspen and some evergreens, and then follows a ridge
with expansive views of the Weminuche and San Juan Wilderness Areas and the town of
Pagosa Springs. It then ascends through a jagged pass to reveal an awesome alpine
environment, dotted with flowing springs and wildflowers in the spring and summer months. A
minor descent and you come to the scenic Quartz Lake in all of it's 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 retreat.
South San Juan Wilderness Lake Tour - Rating: Difficult to Strenuous at 12 miles w/ 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. Fishing and back country recreation
opportunities are prevalent in this high altitude region of the Wilderness.
Rio Blanco Headwaters - Rating: Easy to 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 w/ elevation gain of 2,400 feet; This is a day
or an overnight trip. This 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 Flathead Peak. Trekkers can then ascend the peak, which tops out at an elevation of
11,472 feet. Currently unavailable due to unfavorable trail conditions.
Continental Divide via the Little Blanco Trail - Rating: Moderate, with an elevation gain of 2,160
feet; This is an overnight trip of 1 or 2 nights with an optional stay at Quartz Lake. The vistas are
incredible at the Trail's summit, which is at 12,245 feet.
__________________________________________________________________________
Elevations for the following trips range from around 8200 feet to just around 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: Moderate. The 4.7 mile hike to this beautiful, subalpine lake first
ascends a slope covered with mature aspen and some evergreens, and then follows a ridge
with expansive views of the Weminuche and San Juan Wilderness Areas and the town of
Pagosa Springs. It then ascends through a jagged pass to reveal an awesome alpine
environment, dotted with flowing springs and wildflowers in the spring and summer months. A
minor descent and you come to the scenic Quartz Lake in all of it's 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 retreat.
South San Juan Wilderness Lake Tour - Rating: Difficult to Strenuous at 12 miles w/ 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. Fishing and back country recreation
opportunities are prevalent in this high altitude region of the Wilderness.
Rio Blanco Headwaters - Rating: Easy to 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 w/ elevation gain of 2,400 feet; This is a day
or an overnight trip. This 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 Flathead Peak. Trekkers can then ascend the peak, which tops out at an elevation of
11,472 feet. Currently unavailable due to unfavorable trail conditions.
Continental Divide via the Little Blanco Trail - Rating: Moderate, with an elevation gain of 2,160
feet; This is an overnight trip of 1 or 2 nights with an optional stay at Quartz Lake. The vistas are
incredible at the Trail's summit, which is at 12,245 feet.
Directions to the base camp from Pagosa Springs:
_________________________________________________________________
Travel south on U.S. Hwy 84. At about 8 miles, watch for the “Best Western” sign on your left.
This is the Blanco Basin Rd... 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 to the first cabin on your left.
_________________________________________________________________
Travel south on U.S. Hwy 84. At about 8 miles, watch for the “Best Western” sign on your left.
This is the Blanco Basin Rd... 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 to the first cabin 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 © 2008 Southwest Wilderness Outfitters,LLC. All rights reserved.