Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
stunning peaks that are more than 13,000ft, including two 14ers: Uncompahgre Peak and
Wetterhorne Peak.
Northeast of Lake City, the Powderhorn Wilderness Area features the 4-mile Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) Trail 3030 to Powderhorn Lakes, crossing a huge alpine mead-
ow loaded with wildflowers.
South of Lake San Cristobal, day hikes in the BLM's Alpine Loop Byway offer high
altitude scenery and peak ascents, but the lower parts of most trails are shared with 4WD
vehicles that disperse wildlife and disrupt the solitude.
You can rent tents and other gear in Lake City, at Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop,
which packages together a 'car camping' kit. The shop also has complete information and
leads trips into the area.
Rafting
Local white-water enthusiasts enjoy the uncrowded Lake Fork of the Gunnison River
stretching from High Bridge Creek, 8 miles north of Lake City, for 30 miles to the BLM
Redbridge Campground, where the river is stilled as it enters Blue Mesa Reservoir. On the
way, the river passes through the spectacular volcanic columns breached by the river to
form the Gate, a giant notch visible for miles. There are two companies that raft in the
area,
Scenic River Tours
(
970-641-3131;
www.scenicrivertours.com
; 703 W Tomichi Ave; half-day adult/child
)
, out of Gunnison, and
Three Rivers Resort
(
$49/39;
970-641-1303, toll-free 888-761-3474;
)
, from Almont.
www.3riversresort.com
; 130 County Rd 742, Almont; rafting from $40;
Nordic Skiing
For cross-country skiing there's an excellent opportunity in the area thanks to the
Hinsdale
Haute Route
( 970-944-2269;
www.hinsdalehauteroute.org
; yurts 1st night $110, subsequent nights $80)
, a non-
profit organization that maintains four yurts on the Divide between Lake City and Creede.
Among the niche of hut-to-hut backcountry skiers, this system has a flawless reputation
for the scenery and the quality of the huts. Even novice skiers can enjoy the 2 miles of
backcountry travel from Hwy 149 to an overnight stay at the first yurt. The yurts sleep up
to eight people, and have cooking facilities.