Hi there,
I’m planning to go the Colorado Trail during the second half of this month (May 2009), specifically to segments 24 to 28. I want to start on Rio Grande Reservoir Road (segment 24) but don’t have a 4WD. Does somebody knows how to get there by public transportation? I’m planning to leave my car on Silverton, so the point is how to get from Silverton to segment 24. Any suggestions? In addition, does somebody knows how are route conditions right now up there. Thanks.
Jaime
Jaime Portales
That section is probably going to be a lot snowier than you’ll find enjoyable.
Not that you can’t do it, but navigation, postholing, mud, icy terrain, etc, will make this section more of a slog than most people would find to be fun.
Just a thought.
Paul Mags
First of all, the CT does not go anywhere near Rio Grande reservoir Road any more. It has been re-located to more closely follow the divide. The access is easier than it was - the trail crosses at Stony Pass which is on the way to Rio grande Reservoir Road. Get the Guide book or the Map book to find the way.
The San Juans ended the winter with 60% of normal snowpack and its been unseasonably warm. The Animas is raging at 5200 cfs today but the Arkansas is just over 1000 - its melting fast in S. Colorado. Despite this, you will encounter deep snow from Stony to where you descend into Elk Creek and probably along Elk Creek in places. Ditto for Rolling Pass, Blackhawk Pass, and Indian trail Ridge.
Whether you can get to the top of Stony at all is uncertain, but San Juan County always tries to have it open by Memorial Day for the Jeep tourists and it falls a week early this year. Call the sheriffs office in Silverton to see if its open.
I am the adopter for Elk Creek and we generally do our trail work the third week of June. Even so, there often is a lot of snow on the divide.
If you do go, please count the down trees between the Divide and the Animas River and let me know - it could really be a big help to our planning.
Be careful in upper Elk Creek and on the other passes - slop avalanches are common in May.
bearcreek