Living Our Dream: Williams Creek Trail and Lake Fork Canyon

Tuesday we went and talked with folks in Lake City to try to get more information on where to hike. The hikes we found have all been listed as strenuous, not our cup of tea. We got a couple of leads, came back to the RV and packed up a lunch and we headed up the Alpine Loop towards Williams Creek Trailhead. About 3 miles along the loop, was no problem for the car. About 6 miles in you really need an ATV or Jeep since the roads gets more rocky.

Aspens have not changed color yet

One crossing of creek, have another to do

Moved back into aspens

Found the trailhead, changed into our gear, and off we went. The trail first started slowly increasing in altitude along a pretty aspen forest. They are beginning to change which is about 3 weeks early, so hopefully in another week or so the trees will really be spectacular and we will see some beautiful scenery.

And then we started to climb

Found the second crossing, creek really low

Had to hug the side of a cliff for most part

After the aspen grove the trail opened up in a flat meadow, and we did not find the trail that difficult. Continued on, came to a large fir/pine grove, did see signs of bear activity with trees scratched, still moving upward.

Back at the beginning

Eventually we came to a creek, water was low so we were able to cross without any difficulty. And then we really started to climb. The best part is we were in the forest so we had ample shade. Came to a second creek, crossed that and continued on for a short bit and saw the trail really took a sharp incline and we decided not to go on. Dave check our elevation and we had climbed 600 feet, the equivalent of walking up 40 flights of stairs. A tidge pooped. Our 2 hour hike was just right. When we looked at the information on the hike afterwards, it was rated strenuous. We felt good we did what we could. This high altitude is really hard on the body.

A well-known family in Lake City

Entrance to Gateway

Traveled along the Lake Fork of Gunnison River
on old railroad grade

Yesterday we drove north along Route 149 towards the “Gateway” which everyone seems to know about and followed the gravel road along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. In the late 1800’s the railroad was built along and through the canyon connecting Sapinero which lies on the Blue Mesa Reservoir and the main road which links Gunnison to Montrose, and it was built south to Lake City which provided Lake City with a means to ship out it’s silver and ore.

Water was so clear

The railroad was abandoned in 1933 but where the tracks were are now a nice scenic road along the river. We took the road to the trailhead for fishing and hiking. We took the path along the river for quite some distance and we were blown away by the beautiful scenery played out in front of us.

At one point we saw a graveyard of driftwood. Came across a man who was fishing and he explained that last year there was a log jam and the river rose up 30 feet before breaking apart and floating to Blue Mesa Reservoir. Amazing to see!