Living Our Dream: Whitmore Falls and the Alpine Loop

Our little bear continues to visit us, we are all diligent in informing other fellow campers of it’s whereabouts - especially those who are walking dogs. He’s a cutie! We decided to drive the Alpine Loop out of town, only as far as Whitmore Falls. We were told that the road would get really bad after the falls, to be prepared if you were traveling on. Our goal was go to the falls, and we did make it - and it was really bad road. We will travel the entire Loop when we rent a Jeep off-road 4X4 so we don’t worry about ruining our car.

Alpine Loop runs right through town

Did not find a road up to this home, perched above the Loop

At times very twisty, but dusty

Don't get too close, or rut-roh

We first passed the Hard Tack Mine, which is open for tours. We were not interested in that, but drove on, moving up in elevation. The road was very dusty, at times we had to stop and wait for the air to clear just to continue on. The ATVers just zip on by, how they manage to breathe from the dust - we are amazed.

Ute-Ulay Mine - what made Lake City

Used to be a boarding house

Back side of the dam

A little farther on we came to the intact mine of Ute-Ulay which is the mine that made Lake City. Lake City is considered to be the most remote place in the lower 48 states. It does take some thinking as to how to get in and out of the town, either coming down from the north via Gunnison or moving up north through South Fork, then Creede and on to Lake City via the Slumgullion Pass. The mine has walking tours which we did not do, but did stop and took a lot of pictures. Must have been quite an operation, from 1877 to it’s closure in 1963. In terms of wealth, it was one of the most profitable silver and ore producing mines of Colorado.

Cough

Cough, cough

Peek

Lots of abandoned mines

Hard to believe we were moving up in altitude, felt same elevation

Nearing Capitol City

Onward we trekked up the Alpine Loop, still climbing in altitude, being passed by ATvers, bikers, and Jeeps. Cough, cough. Slow going, kept on plodding. Only made it 9 miles until we came to Capitol City which is now a ghost town, but some really magnificent mansions located there, summer/fall homes. The road is closed in the winter, the threat of avalanches is tremendous.

Definitely avalanche area

Small sign says - no 2WD beyond

Strictly a summer home, no access in winter

2 more miles up the road and wow - we got bumped around - the road was REALLY REALLY bad. Dave just crept along about 3 to 5 miles an hour, we then came to Whitmore Falls. Walked down the steep incline to the viewing platform, took some photos, noticed a family down at the bottom playing in the water, climbed back up and turned around and slowly, slowly made our way back to where the road was much better to drive, could finally pick up speed.

Steep steps down to viewing platform

They need to cut back some trees to see the falls

Went OTing again (off trail) to get better view of falls

And back up

Family of 4 romping in water below falls

Afterward we drove to the southern entrance of the Alpine Loop, not far from our campground, and thought maybe see moose at Lake San Cristobal. Did not have any luck, saw pronghorns, ducks, deer, a black crowned night heron, blue herons, a beautiful eagle, but no moose. Another day.