Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Twenty-five miles west of Creede and only half a mile from signs on Hwy 149, the im-
pressive falls are visible from an overlook on the fenced edge of a deep gorge. From the
parking area, a short walk over the ridge away from the falls takes you to another view-
point above the sheer-walled canyon with Bristol Head in the distance.
Far below your feet a metal aqueduct carries Clear Creek away from its natural course
to the Santa Maria Reservoir as part of a massive effort to regulate the flow of the Rio
Grande headwaters.
FAT TIRE CREEDE
Creede's awesome mountain biking is free from the frustrating bikejams you might find elsewhere. The main area
is about 9 miles north of town, starting from the
West Willow Creek
trailhead. Although it's a rough road, you
won't need a 4WD most of the year. Even so, it's a tough start on the bike: the 2000ft rise in elevation during the
initial 2 miles along West Willow Creek was called the 'Black Pitch' by miners. Below the Black Pitch, failed
brakes on loaded teamster wagons often pulled unfortunate animals to their end at Dead Horse Flats.
Continue up this treacherous section to arrive at the Amethyst, one of Colorado's richest silver mines. You can
still see part of the high-rotary tram system that sent ore down the steep canyon. There's remnants of the tall
towers up the steep slope to the east of the Black Pitch.
Some cyclists may prefer to tour mines along the gentler grades of
East Willow Creek
, which are accessed via
the same trailhead, with dilapidated mining equipment that is slowly being overtaken by nature.
An excellent illustrated tour booklet ($1) prepared by local historians is available from the Creede/Mineral
County Chamber of Commerce, the USFS, the Creede Museum or from a dispenser at the first interpretive stop:
the West Willow-East Willow Creek junction, immediately north of the rock spires that mark the gateway to Wil-
low Creek Canyon.
You can rent a mountain bike or camping gear at San Juan Sports. The shop also carries a thorough collection
of USGS topographic maps. Guided mountain-bike tours and bike rentals are offered by Mountain Man Rafting
& Tours.
Activities
Hiking & Backpacking
The hike through the upland meadow called Phoenix Park is especially appealing, as it be-
gins at the King Solomon Mill at the top of East Willow Creek Canyon and proceeds past
waterfalls and beaver ponds. You can pick up maps at the
Amethyst Emporium
(
719-658-2430; 129 N Main St; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat Jun-Aug)
.
Hiking options are nearly limitless within the extensive Weminuche and La Garita Wil-
derness Areas on either side of the Rio Grande Valley. A good source of information if
you wish to explore the Continental Divide east of Stony Pass is Dennis Gebhardt's
A
Backpacking Guide to the Weminuche Wilderness
. You can rent hiking packs and tents at
