Highland Mary Lakes Trip

Weminuche Wilderness

Date

Aug 16-19, 2024

COST

SOLD OUT /person

difficulty

Moderate - Difficult

elevation gain & Loss

2,700ft (req.)
4,000 ft (optional)

Total mileage

13 (req.)
20 (optional)

POINTS OF INTEREST

Views of San Juan’s, Elk Creek, Fly Fishing, Continental Divide, 9 high country lakes, Cunningham Creek, Waterfalls, Grenadier Mountain Views

DETAILS

ABOUT YOUR TRIP

A 7-mile hike (elevation gain 2,500 feet and elevation loss 500 feet) from a historic mining district in Cunningham Gulch starts this epic adventure. We hike up to the high tundra lakes along the Continental Divide Trail with stunning views of the San Juan’s. This an area that is alive with trout, as we hike our way into our camp nestled in the woods with great views down Elk Creek. This base camp has two layover days to explore the 9 spectacular lakes in the area. The 6-mile hike out (elevation loss 2,200 feet and elevation gain 200 feet) is along Cunningham Creek. There is also an option to enhance this trip to a guided fly-fishing trip by partnering with Duranglers ( www.duranglers.com) a renowned fly-fishing shop in Durango. Additional costs apply for the fly-fishing guided services; please contact us for further inquiries on this option. Detailed: Highland Mary Trail Loop

Location

Weminuche Wilderness

As the largest wilderness in Colorado, this area contains a significant portion of the San Juan Mountains. The Weminuche is surrounded by the incredible Colorado true mountain towns of Durango, Silverton, and Pagosa Springs. The area is known for its rugged terrain that is as diverse as it is spectacular. It ranges from the gaping Animas River gorge to the tops of distinguished peaks in the Needle Range that sprawl immediately to the east. The Weminuche wilderness consists of an abundance of prominent jagged peaks. The unique formations are a result of volcanic and ice age activity. The northern end of the Needle Mountains is highlighted by a range of imposing peaks called the Grenadier Range. Most of our use is in this section with our camps strategically set up to explore the acclaimed mountains. This provides a solitude only found deep in the heart of the mountains. This region is notoriously less crowded due to it not containing the sought after 14,000-foot peaks. The range is littered with 13,000 foot plus peaks that are stunning, some of the most scenic country in the world. When not distracted by the breathtaking pinnacles, you can often find wildlife like mountain goats roaming the range.

Video

Trip Highlight Video

LOGISTICS

WHAT TO EXPECT

Our trips originate in the high mountain town of Silverton, Colorado (elevation 9,316 feet) which is a historic mining town boasting gorgeous Victorian architecture. It’s renowned for its mountainous beauty and vivid alpine landscape, truly a postcard setting. Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado it’s self-contained with a wide variety lodging options. Whether budget conscious, or looking for something higher end, there are accommodations suited for all tastes. The dining scene is also nicely varied with many choices (www.silvertoncolorado.com).

It is highly recommended that clients come at least a few days ahead of time to acclimate to the altitude. The nearby local airports are either Durango La Plata CO (DRO) or Montrose Telluride, CO (MTJ), and the closest major airports are Albuquerque International, NM (ABQ) or Denver International, CO. (DEN). There are many activities the surrounding areas provide, including but not limited to: exceptional hiking, jeep or ATV rentals to explore the remote high country, Mesa Verde National Park, Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton train ride, mountain bike rentals and alpine slide at Purgatory, and outings to the nearby towns of Ouray (home of the famous natural hot springs!), the plush resort town of Telluride, and the historic town of Durango.

Our headquarters are located in Silverton at 1708 Greene St. There is an orientation meeting the night before the trip at 6 PM where the clients meet their guides, go over the details of the trip; they also receive their panniers (llama bags) which they take back to their hotel to pack up their gear that evening. The next morning at 8:30 the trip departs from the HQ (parking for clients cars available) to the trailhead. The trips return at 2-3 PM on the last day.