2013 July: La Garita Wilderness Day 1

We start at the La Garita trailhead. The open land turns into woodland and we're looking at some rolly hills, grass covered, leading into the forest. We start around 10,200 feet. Our destination for first night is about 3.5 miles, at 11,200 feet. When we get to our camp, my altimeter app reads 11,139 feet. We travel through nice meadows along Unknown Creek. And we notice the creek is dry. Oh Boy! This could be serious as we continue to move upward. Does the water flow and then go underground? We move further up around a bend and we hear and see water. Apparently, the creek does go underground along the Unknown section.

The maps I used for this trip:

- Rio Grande National Forest - I like this to look up approach roads
- Halfmoon Pass, CO USGS 7.5 minute 2001
- Mesa Mountain, CO USGS 7.5 minute
- La Garita/Cochetopa Hills Trails Illustrated Map

Enter the La Garita Wilderness

We end up camping at some point after the Unknown Creek trail meets with the Halfmoon Pass trail. We're in a big meadow, and set camp up slope from the trail, where the sun will shine in the morning. Low in the meadow is a marsh, a large one. In the marsh is a huge cage, opening from top. A mystery for us to ponder. We get to walk around here, and get socks wet. I tend to wear tevas in camp, so I bring tons of socks. It's here where the dead trees really sink in. On our dry land we are surrounded by potentilla bushes (I think this is what they are called) and the occasional anthill.

Camp for Night One - Marsh below and dry land above. Notice dead spruce trees

The view down valley we came up from Unknown Creek

The marsh with a stream

I was fortunate to sleep under the stars this night, number one. It did rain, about three waves worth before sunset, but when the sun came out it was nice. The sky is really clear here and the stars were incredible. It gets to the point where I couldn't figure out some constellations. The milky way dominated the sky and kept me mesmerized for a long time. It was worth sleeping out from the shelter. Plus, the night air was pleasant, never got to cold. Tomorrow we go up, closer to Halfmoon Pass.

The mountains here are mostly flat on the top

Peaceful moments after the rain

2013 July: La Garita Wilderness area (The plan and approach)

Welcome good wilderness travelers. I've just come back from a wonderful trip in the La Garita Wilderness Area. Later posts will cover the trip in some detail but here I just want to point out how to get to this place if you are ever interested. Be forewarned - the spruce beetle kill has devastated huge tracts of spruce/fir forest. In the section of La Garita (Northeast, by Half Moon Pass) we visited, all large Englemann spruce and sub-alpine fir trees are dead. I don't know how long, but eventually this land will be difficult and dangerous to travel due to the deadfall that is inevitable and the heightened probability of wildfire due to the excessive dry lumber. I don't think anyone is coming in to clear the stuff out. In these forests younger and smaller trees seemed to have survived so there is hope. My thinking is I am glad to have done this; in ten years this place might be impassable. However, there seems to be some folks who really love the place and I suspect they might work hard to access their favorite places.

On the road again...Dirt road (either FR 804 or FR 787) heading towards the La Garita

We live up north so to get here we drove south on Highway 285, all the way to Saguache. I recommend going here in the morning, stopping in town and eating some chow at the Saguache 4th Street Diner. The food here is excellent and you're about 1.5 to 2 hours from the trailhead so load up on the carbos!

When leaving, from 285 take 114 west, and drive about 25-30 miles. When you go over the Continental Divide you've less than 7 miles to make a left on FR 804(?), or Co Rd 17 GG. Take this about 7 miles, at stop sign, T intersection, turn left, and go about 1.5 miles and turn right on FR 787, Co Rd 17 FF, go about 23 miles until you arrive at the La Garita trailhead. You'll climb up and over the Continental Divide again, only this time it's on a dirt road and very narrow. However, the road conditions are great, even a car can travel upon this road. You'll pass through Stove Pipe campground and when you see this place you'll be about 12 miles away.

Go ahead and look at the road maps.  It's a very scenic and inspiring 30 miles to get to the trail.