The Alberta Peak: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail started at Wolf Creek Pass at an elevation of 10,857 feet. Pretty much explains why I couldn’t seem to catch a full breath. That and the quick elevation gain over the first few miles.
Chris said it was only for two miles and then it would level out mostly. Only two miles...
We were hiking on the opposite side of the Calamity Jane ski resort.
Chris had checked the weather and knew that rain and thunder would be coming our way later in the afternoon, so we wanted to make it to the top and be hiking back down the mountain to avoid the weather.
If you are headed for Alberta Peak and come to a fork in the road with a sign on a tree that says Treasure Mountain Trail 565, don’t go to the right. It takes you down the mountain and away from your goal.
Fortunately, Chris chatted with a Forest Service guy who was working with a group to build up a mountain hiking trail. He pointed us back up the hill in the right direction. Take the left path of the fork.
Whew. I really didn’t want to go down and have to hike up again.
Continuing on to the peak.
Follow a narrow path along the edge of the mountain. The weather cools a bit at the top with fewer wind breaks. You might want to bring something warm to wear.
There is the final scramble to the top of the peak. It was a little more precarious. Be careful if you go.
We watched as the weather began to change, the temperature dropped, and dark clouds gathered.
Alberta Peak
Time to start the three-mile hike down. Even so, we passed people still climbing up.
Our hike took about two hours up and a little over one hour on the descent.
We had to pull out our rain jackets at one point, but about a quarter mile from our car, the rain had stopped and we found a log to sit on for a lovely lunch in the forest. Can’t beat that.
We drove around the mountain to the ski resort and followed a short road toward Alberta Reservoir State Wildlife Area. Chris is pointing to Alberta Peak.
It was still early in the day, so we drove back up the pass toward South Fork.
Chris decided on a jaunt to Creede and it turned out to be a good choice.
Creede was your typical small western town. Cute. We followed a sign to drive Bachelor Loop, and it was a treasure.
Literally, for the miners who settled here many years ago. Look at those mine shafts and cabins. We just hadn’t expected that surprise.
Chris started up a fairly steep road, and I got a little nervous. We turned back and he researched where the trail went and if it was passable.
He really wanted to discover it, so I hung on to the door handle and arm rest as he slowly made his way up, up, up the hill. I breathed a sigh of relief and unclenched my hands as we reached the top.
Silver. Them hills were full of it. Or at least they had been.
It was a beautiful loop. The name "Bachelor Loop" harkened back to a time when an encampment of 2800 men had lived and worked on the mountain.
Today, the site was a beautiful open meadow.
After our search for a place to eat last night, we already knew a few of the options in Pagosa Springs. We stopped at Riff Raff in downtown proper of Pagosa Springs and ordered burgers for takeaway.
While waiting for dinner, we walked along the river and across from The Springs Resort and Spa. The sulphur smell was abundant in the air but many guests were enjoying the hot springs and other vacationers were tubing in the river. How awesome to float along in your tube and come across hot pockets of water.