There are so many hiking trails, and ATV trails, and horse trails, it is hard to find one that is not 'difficult' for us. This means that we keep the miles hiking/walking to 5 miles at the max, usually less. But many hikes that have waterfalls or lakes as part of the hike are anywhere from 8 to 20 miles long. The good news is we found this hike which we did yesterday which stated spectacular views of the valley, cliffs, hoo-doos, rock formations, and the Castles. Followed along again on the Ohio Creek Road towards Ohio City but cut off on a Forest Service road 727 to get there.
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| Heading up to see the Castles |
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| Near trailhead - camping set up |
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| One extreme to the other, this one is quite small and rustic |
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| Found the gate |
Ranches tucked back in the valley, we plodded along. Instructions said to drive to where the road ends and the gate ahead is the trailhead. Okay, got about 5 miles up into the hills and stopped the car - we thought we had found the end of the road. A woman popped out of a trail with a dog and I boldly started a conversation with her. Small world. She grew up on the east side of Cleveland, her husband has just moved back to Ashtabula County (eastern Ohio) and she is wrapping up her job and getting ready to move back there. As we chit-chatted, she told us of her life - para-legal, now working as a title search company for mortgages, has a side business where she trains search and rescue dogs (she was out with one of them doing training), and what a personable woman! Small world. She told us we needed to continue to drive another mile and half and we will see the trailhead.
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| We thought an logging road, used for snowmobiling in winter |
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| Baneberries |
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| Imagine the views from that place |
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| First glimpse of the Castles |
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| Good thing its a drought, otherwise, get wet feet |
So, off we went. Road at times was dicey but we are so glad we have this Jeep. Got to the end and sure enough, there was the gate, cars parked, even campers set up. Off we went to see the Castles up close. These are the same formations we saw the other day from a distance.
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| Wild geranium |
Walked along a logging road, had to cross streams 4 times, but when we got to the valley - the vista views were amazing. We only went as far as Mill Creek - the trail information said that after crossing the creek, you steeply climb for another 5 miles to Storm Pass. What we did was plenty. Saw lots of families with dogs walking along, was lightly traveled but we felt very safe.
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| Hoo-doos in the distance |
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| Got to Mill Creek, decided not to go on |
As soon as we got back to the car, started back down the forest service road, started to rain really hard. Talk about timing. But we have discovered how to interpret the trail information and we have found a couple more to do before we leave here.
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| Katy, a family's dog, loved romping in the water |
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| A field of Sneezeweeds (looked like big daisies) |
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| And now a car is there, huh. |
Very pretty day in the wilderness. Now that we figured out the trail system definitions, we will hopefully do a lot more before leaving Gunnison.
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