An Adventure to Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary – September 2023 – Part Four

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Please click here for – Part Three

 

Ouray, Colorado Area Continued

 

There was another thing we planned for our 40^th anniversary celebration – go up Yankee Boy Basin and summit another Colorado 14er, Mount Sneffels.Thunderstorms and monsoon rains denied us the summit back in 2013. We were again prepared with our climbing helmets and gear, but this time it was thunderstorms and new snow and ice that kept us off the top. We decided on an alternate hike that, at least, would take us well above tree line.

 

We arrived at the trailhead and it immediately became clear we had picked one of the most popular hikes in the area. We took the last parking spot. This was a Wednesday morning, no less.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice Lake is just under 4 miles from the trailhead. The terrain is spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, It was spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We reached the entrance into Lower Ice Lake Basin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fireweed up here was turning a beautiful red.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was an outstanding (and partially frozen) waterfall that dropped from Ice Lake above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail climbs up to the higher basin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view down into Lower Ice Lake Basin. The lake is small and hidden in the trees in the upper right of this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was on this grade where hikers really began to slow down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And one last little hump before Ice Lake, with its stunning glacial flour tinted light blue water, appeared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is breathtaking scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a little under two hours to reach Ice Lake. It was, as expected, quite busy here. Most people were quiet and respectful of this magical place. Others were not. The Lady spotted a trail that went higher with no one on it.

“Where’s that go?” she asked.

She knows that I rarely, ever answer that question and she got the standard response, “Let’s look at the map and find out.”

After a check of the map, she stated, “We are going up to Island Lake!” And away we went.

 

As we climbed the view back at Ice Lake got even better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our plan worked out. We were alone at Island Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went up to a high spot for, what turned out to be, a short break. There was a cold wind. The day’s weather was beginning to turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was time to head back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our descent from Ice Lake, we were both surprised how steep the trail was. We don’t notice the steepness much on the uphill. We notice it on the downhill. But it was a delightful trek back to the trailhead. Unfortunately, we did not see a moose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did not have rain on our drive back to Ouray and the skies were clear when we took our evening walk around the campground loops. Rain on the roof woke us twice during the night. Clouds were breaking up as sunrise approached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For our last full day at Ouray, we hiked from camp. And we climbed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first destination was the Chief Ouray Mine at an elevation of 10,000 feet. I attempted to find the history of the mine online but had no success. The trail provides a nice workout and incredible views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top of the ridge, the bunkhouse building, clinging to the edge, came into view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail traverses over to Upper Cascade Falls and crosses the creek above another precipitous drop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It then works its way over to the bunkhouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the bunkhouse from the opposite side and then the interior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail, precariously, continues over to the work shed above the mine adits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to the bunkhouse and took a break for snacks and water. We then started back down. This time the Lady counted the number of switchbacks – 14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instead of returning to the campground we worked our way over to the Portland Mine up in the Portland Creek drainage to the south. We intersected with the 4x4 Portland Mine Road. The adits are closed. A bit of the rail bed and tracks still survive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not much else remains up here, but the area is pretty amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to walk the steep road back. A mule deer doe was not concerned at all about our quiet presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a pleasant walk back to the trailhead and the campground. The aspen had only a hint of the coming fall colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning, we took care of laundry and grocery chores in Montrose. We diverted over to Palisades, CO for some of their famous peaches.

We crossed the state line and returned to Utah. We had a spot we wanted to reach before nightfall. Of all things, someone had contacted me about, what he believed, might be a flying saucer crashsite.

 

Our adventure continues. Please click here for - Part Five