Elizabeth & Dave

Weminuche Wilderness:

Trip: The Squaw Creek Trail meanders up the Squaw Creek Drainage at a very gradual grade. The trail begins with a short climb away from Thirty Mile Campground, drops quickly down to the Squaw Creek Bridge (crossing Squaw Creek) into Wilderness, and within a mile begins to wander through grassy meadows adjacent to the creek. Conifers and Aspens noticeable bark Beatles infestation forest areas. The upper trail is boggy areas and Elk may be sighted in the evening or early morning in the open, wet meadows below Squaw Pass. The Trail continues to make a long, gradual climb until just before reaching Continental Divide Trail (CDT) over Squaw Pass. The final ½ mile to the divide is somewhat rocky and slightly steeper than the previous 7 miles of this well defined and easy to follow trail.

Then we will hike on the CDT CO06 running for 13 miles between Squaw Pass and Weminuche Pass with a detour to Squaw Lake: Don't need to say how spectacular the views are from the CDT do I?

Pic:  Squaw Lake

Weminuche Pass is the lowest point on the Weminuche portion of the CDT. From CDT we return to thirty-mile campground via Weminuche Trail. This twenty eight mile loop will be done in five days of hiking and four nights, camping will be determined as the group moves through and the weather. Approx five miles per day with a little more the last two days as we head down hill. See maps uploaded for upclose topo of land and elevation profile for your review.

Directions from Creede to 30 mile campground/trailhead area: Travel southwest  on Colorado Highway 149 for 20.1 miles, to the intersection of Colorado Highway 149 and Forest Road #520 (Rio Grande Reservoir Road), then 10 miles west on Road #520 to the 30 mile Campground. The trailhead and trail user parking is here.

Address for google map:

DIVIDE RD. 3RD & CREEDE AVE.
CREEDE,CO,81130

Meet at 30 mile Campground – 11:00am (depart no later then noon for first five mile and see how we are doing)

Thirty-mile Campground: This 28 mile backpack trip begins about one mile of the Rio Grande National Forest – Thirty mile Campground outside of Creede, Colorado at 9,300 feet elevation with 35 tent sites plus rv's with tables, vault toilets and drinking water. They are open until the day with go home Monday, September 3rd.

The campground is located in a wooded meadow situated between the Rio Grande River and Squaw Creek with some sites overlooking the creek. All sites are nestled among mature spruce or Aspen trees. The campground is adjacent to the Weminuche Wilderness with two trailhead (Squaw Creek # 814 and Weminuche Pass # 818) that link to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and are accessed just below the Rio Grande Reservoir. We will be taking Big Squaw Creek trail for its gradual increase in altitude.

photo: CDT overlooking Big Squaw Creek Trail.

Maximum participants at 6 plus 2 organizers.

Map: Trails Illustrated Weminuche Wilderness #140. See uploaded topo of close up.

Organizers: Elizabeth and Dave Barry, we hike a slow-moderate pace of 1-2 mile an hour plus 1 hour for every 1,000 foot elevation gained. Take lots pictures, social group, focus on views. Leave camp around 9-10am, arrive late afternoon.

Dogs are allowed- organizers are bringing Sammy our dog, voice command, bring leash and follow wilderness regulations. We welcome a second dog and would like to limit to two dogs on our trips.

Mosquito MAY be an issue please bring Deet or something that works for you. Be sure to follow Pack-it-in and pack-it-out, Leave no Trace Practices and Wilderness Regulations

RSVP will opened close Wednesday by afternoon. We leave for trailhead Thursday morning from Grand Junction. (sorry for such short notice – Labor day trip decided at just two days ago)

Procedure for signing up on this trip:

Assure you can attend (time off work)

You rsvp will automatically place you on wait-list.

Send email to organizer [masked]with the following details:

Your Name, email address, daytime phone number, and emergency contact name and number- experience level with backpacking and any questions you may have.

Once information is received you are considered RSVP and will be moved from wait-list to RSVP list.

You will receive emails and possible phone calls and be acknowledged to your participation.

This information also serves to contact you with final details, copies of topo maps, or last minute changes.

You are responsible for transportation to and from trailhead by phone, email or meetup communications.

Liability statement: Your email is also your understanding that by attending this Meetup event you understand that backpacking has its inherit risks, including but not limited to all injuries were there is no 911 help. You are responsible for your own safety, the equipment to keep you safe and your travel through the back country. All decisions are made with safety always being top priority.

Please attend if you RSVPing yes in consideration for organizers and other members who are placed on wait list. Its time consuming to plan - your last minute cancellation will most likely be unfilled, no shows may place limitation on future trips. Its appreciated by most Meetup events and groups. Thanks for understanding this point. Hope to see you out there enjoying wilderness travel.