Trip Report - San Juan Mountains,
Colorado
July 23 – 29 - 2009
Our group consisted of 5 4WD
vehicles and one member who brought his motor home to the Matterhorn Campground
to relax in the cool mountain air and hang out with us in the evenings.
The first day we had planned
to go into Governor’s Basin but found that it was still blocked by snow.
However, we did make the climb to the entrance to the basin which is an
interesting and scenic drive itself.
Matterhorn Campground and surrounding
area
Dawson
and Mikayla, the creek below runs through the campground
Sue
holding Bella along with Mikayla and Jan with “The Matterhorn” in the
background
Flowers
within the campground
Trout
Lake is a nice hike or a short drive from Matterhorn Campground
Patrick shows off one of the trout
Flowers of the San Juan Mountains
Columbine,
the light purple and white version is Colorado’s State Flower
The flower photos in this section were made in the American Basin
which is east of Animas Forks over Cinnamon Pass
San Juan Mountains, Colorado
July 2009
The
trail to Governor’s Basin
The
conservative group passed through the water
and
the risk takers tested the bridge
Beginning
the climb
The
trail becomes rockier as you climb
Looking
down at the group stopped near the entrance to Governor’s Basin
A
scenic view from high on the mountains
A
view of the trail we followed below and Yankee Boy Basin in the background
Rick
on a path through the tundra
Imogene
Pass
Lunch
in the pines
Looking
over the Bluebird Mine and the trail down to Ouray
Crossing
the creek just above the falls
Posing
on the mountain top with Red Mountains in the background
Donna
posing in the Jeep
Starting
down into Telluride through the shale
Just
above the Tomboy Mine
Not
the best place to get a flat tire
Ophir
Pass
The
trail coming up from the Village of Ophir
Mikayla
gets a picture
On
our way to Picayune Gulch
The
group under threatening skies
Placer
Gulch
Taking
a break for lunch
Part
of the group on a lower switchback as we descend into Placer Gulch
A
flock of sheep near Animas Forks
The
sheep dog takes a break as they cross the creek
California
Pass
A
view of Como Lake and the climb up to Hurricane Pass
Descending
Hurricane Pass
Corkscrew
Gulch
Photographer
Donna Passante at work
We
are to start the descent down the switchbacks from the crest of Corkscrew Gulch
Coming
down one of the switchbacks
Photography
by Donna Passante and Ron Finger