Sneffels Wilderness Trip
Date
COST
difficulty
elevation gain & Loss
1500ft (req.)
1500ft (optional)
Total mileage
8 (req.)
15 (optional)
POINTS OF INTEREST
DETAILS
ABOUT YOUR TRIP
This trip is a base camp trip which starts at the Blue Lakes Trailhead. A 4-mile hike, which includes some incredible waterfall encounters while also serving as a calming white noise as you ascend (elevation gain 1,500 feet) to our camp in Blaine Basin below the stunning 14,000-foot Sneffels Peak. We spend the layover days exploring the area around this amazing mountain. There is a significant concentration of Elk / deer and wildlife in this region. The creek that goes through the campsite is serene and the wildflowers abundant. With Dallas Peak and the north face of Mt. Sneffels as the constant backdrop for this trip, the scenery is stunning. The last day is the hike out back to the starting point 4-miles (elevation loss 1,500 feet). Detailed: Blaine Basin 2
Location
The views south of Ridgway are regarded as some of the most mesmerizing in Colorado. Mt Sneffels, Dallas Peak, and their neighbors protrude in a sensational fashion from the Uncompahgre Valley below. Picturesque ranches wrinkle the northern slopes of the Sneffels Range, arguable the most famous of which belongs to none other than Mr. Ralph Lauren. Mt. Sneffels (14,150 feet) is deservedly the main attraction in this sub-range of the San Juan’s. Our trips bear this in mind by setting up close to the base of Mt Sneffels in a beautiful, spruce filled wilderness. At 16,566 acres, the Sneffels wilderness has an intimate vibe to it as one of the smallest wilderness areas of Colorado. Made up predominately of igneous volcanic rock, these vast peaks and ridges are plausibly the most iconic in Colorado. Details for Blaine Basin: Blaine Basin
RESOURCES
GEAR AND AGREEMENTS
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.
