The trail went through forest for a bit, and then we were steadily climbing along the tree line. It's just shy of 500,000 acres making it the biggest Wilderness in Colorado. Where Emerald Lake finally comes to a close at the onset of a swampy stretch, the views really expand. Fishing is available in two lakes â Little Emerald and Emerald â and in the stream (Lake ⦠Most were still small enough that we crossed cautiously without difficulty. The rocky formations of the San Juan Mountains, lush alpine greenery and crystal waters truly make Emerald Lake a sight to behold. The rain soon stopped, and our wet clothes felt nice in the warm sun. You’ll reach an elevation of more than 2,000 feet on the hike to Emerald Lake. Right before you get to Emerald Lake, you will arrive at Little Emerald Lake. A moderate climb, interspersed with flat meadows, takes you to Emerald ⦠My husband reached out to me with the trekking pole that broke immediately. We were cooled off by a light rain that lasted for a few hours.While the trail leveled off in places, in was a pretty steady climb. July 2011. The lake is the third largest natural lake in Colorado and only accessible by foot and horseback. brenda12lynette (author) from Utah on June 27, 2012: Thanks Dan! -The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail. I love lakes tucked into the mountains. With more than 492,000 acres, the Weminuche Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. Thanks for stopping by again davidlaw2! Mar 15, 2017 - Weminuche Wilderness - Emerald Lake/Little Emerald Lake | Flickr - Photo Sharing!. Weminuche Wilderness was expanded in 1980 and 1993 to reach the expansive size it is today. Hiking to Emerald Lake is 20 miles round trip, so many turn their hike into an overnight trip. Weminuche Wilderness was created by the Wilderness Act of 1964 and was officially founded by Congress in 1974. Contact San Juan National Forest: (970) 247-4874. The next morning my husband and I woke up ready to go. The third-largest natural lake in Colorado is tough to reach, and that means solitude. Hiking in Weminuche Wilderness on Pine River trail to Emerald Lake and Moon Lake begins at Granite Peak Ranch a few miles away from Vallecito Reservoir. It is well worth the extra effort, as the views at Emerald Lake are glorious to behold. This is the best chance for a re-supply prior to reaching Little Emerald Lake. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/pinos-river-trail-to-emerald-lake The trail continues to ascend, sometimes gradually and sometimes moderately, toward Emerald Lake (mile 10), and continues more steeply to Moon Lake and a spectacular view of Mount Oso at mile 14. As with all the Rock Lake/Moon Lake summits, the closest vehicle access is the trailhead north of Hunchback Pass which requires 4WD. The 5-acre Emerald Lake parcel faces the two namesake signature peaks of the Weminuche Wilderness, Pidgeon and Turret Peaks, residing in the hugely popular New ⦠Emerald Lake One of the gems of the wilderness is Emerald Lake, the third-largest natural lake in Colorado, with crystal-clear waters that take on a green hue in the right light. But the lake views are worth it, so set up ⦠Article from flickr.com. We easily made it down the next day and headed to Durango for the night. Dogs are allowed on the trail. Thanks billybuc! It is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, established by the Wilderness Act of 1964 to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." Its a Class 2 ascent on mostly broken, quartzite rock. The night before the hike we stayed in a cute little cabin in Pine River Lodge on the shores of Vallecito Reservoir. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, the fishing is fantastic. September 2020. The first few miles of the trail go through the ranch before you head into the Weminuche Wilderness. Emerald Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Colorado, and is a popular spot for fisherman and overnight backpackers. An easy stretch wraps slightly eastward with Lake Creek. At the base of the Emerald Lake/Pine River Trail split, there are several camp sites and access to the Pine River to refill and take a break. I donât remember how old I was when I first went to Emerald Lake, Colorado, but I know I was quite young. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, and the turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). brenda12lynette (author) from Utah on July 12, 2012: Thanks Deborah! For our journey, we chose to go to Emerald Lake. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. We found a great little pizza place with local beer. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, and the turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). Somehow I was able to keep my wits for the next few seconds. Weminuche Wilderness was created by the Wilderness Act of 1964 and was officially founded by Congress in 1974. The rain began, light at first. The hike to Emerald Lake can be quiet, making it a perfect place to reflect and take in nature. Hiking in Weminuche Wilderness on Pine River trail to Emerald Lake and Moon Lake begins at Granite Peak Ranch a few miles away from Vallecito Reservoir. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). Again, camping is only permitted 1/2 miles north of Emerald Lake. This hub really has me longing to go back, despite your mishap. The hike is moderately easy for the first 6 or 7 miles, with only 200 feet in elevation changes. By continuing, you agree to our privacy policy. The Weminuche Wilderness Area is Colorado's largest, located in the southwest region of Colorado near Durango. My wife and I chose the Weminuche Wilderness north east of Durango. Great pictures. Getting altitude sickness in the middle of the wilderness will definitely put a damper in your trip. Pine River to Emerald Lake: The Pine River alternates between meadows and canyon, frequently flowing peacefully on the flat valley floor. We had originally planned to hike back down in two days, but for once I was done with the wilderness. The Pine River trailhead begins just east of Vallecito reservoir off of forest road 602, which is a convenient 25 minute drive from Durango. You’ll need to lace up your hiking boots to get to Emerald Lake. The Weminuche Wilderness is full of animals and wildlife. The lake is the third largest natural lake in Colorado and only accessible by foot and horseback. - emerald lake colorado stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Estes Park, CO___9_25_2006_ Rocky Mountain National Park crews are working on the Emerald Lake Trail on Monday. I am ready to get my motorhome back on the road. It was supposed to be a four day hike, but some unfortunate events on day two cut the trip short to a 3 day hike. He was able to reach me and pull me to safety. Where Emerald Lake finally comes to a close at the onset of a swampy stretch, the views really expand. Itâs a 10-mile trek, first along the Pine River Trail from the area of Vallecito Reservoir and then steeply up the Emerald Lake Trail. At that elevation, it never gets hot, but it does get warm. This is one of the few self-sustaining rainbow populations found in Colorado. The Rock Lake Semi-Loop, Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado July 19-22, 2015 by Linden B. An easy grade wraps slightly eastward with Lake Creek. The unique Cutthroat Rainbow Trout hybrid exists in the lake. Acrylic-Glass Mounted Fine Art Print (Ready to Hang) With this innovative display method, the fine art ink print on glossy metallic paper is professionally mounted face-first onto 3/16" museum-grade, UV protected, scratch-resistant plexiglass, and backed by 1/8" black acid-free board. The trail is perfect for novice and experienced backpackers alike. It is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, established by the Wilderness Act of 1964 to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." Nestled away in the Weminuche Wilderness, Emerald Lake is a breathtaking site. Under the General Data Protection Regulation, cookies are considered personal data. I'm getting jealous. The Weminuche is located in the southwestern part of the state within the San Juan Mountains with the Continental Divide passing through the Wilderness. This is where we camped. Dan Human from Niagara Falls, NY on June 27, 2012: It's amazing what a little bit of water will do to a quiet stream, isn't it? The Weminuche Wilderness Area is Colorado's largest, located in the southwest region of Colorado near Durango. The average elevation in the Weminuche Wilderness is 10,000 feet, but reaches 13,000 feet in some parts.Thousands of visitors explore the Weminuche Wilderness each year, with many making the hike to Emerald Lake. The trail continues to ascend, sometimes gradually and sometimes moderately, toward Emerald Lake (mile 10), and continues more steeply to Moon Lake and a spectacular view of Mount Oso at mile 14. The Pine River trail itself is a 49-mile out-and-back, lined by rugged peaks and pristine alpine lakes. When we were almost back to the wildflower field we reached a creek that was about 15 feet across with rushing water that reached to right above my knee. Take appropriately precautions and always check the weather forecast before you leave. 3 fourteen thousand foot mountains can be found inside. Thanks to our supporters, The Wilderness Land Trust now owns these properties and they are no longer […] Like you learned, little streams can become rather big and dangerous when it rains. Weminuche Wilderness is part of the San Juan National Forest and is the largest Wilderness in Colorado. The plan was to leave our camp set up so we wouldn't have to carry as much weight as we made our way up to Moon Lake. (Lindy) Sisk. Finally, we decided to tough it out and head back. My husband crossed with the aid of trekking pole. To Emerald Lake. I guess this is why it is generally better to hike with a partner - a grasping arm comes in handy. Where Emerald Lake finally comes to a close at the onset of a swampy stretch, the views really expand. Thanks bankscottage! You’ll find the trailhead 15 miles northwest of Durango, with parking for the hike located adjacent to the reservoir. After that I grabbed a rock and held on for dear life. When we finally made it to Moon Lake we were drenched. This is about a 10-11 mile hike. Emerald Lake is in the Weminuche Wilderness area in Southwestern Colorado. Emerald Lake, CO Photos from my backpacking trip on the Pine River and Lake Creek trails to Emerald Lake in Colorado's Weminuche Wilderness. Fly Fishing Emerald Lake, Weminuche Wilderness, Southwest Colorado. There is a lot of wildlife in the Weminuche Wilderness: Emerald Lake is a popular spot for fisherman. This is one of the few self-sustaining rainbow populations found in Colorado. The small streams we had crossed on the way up had swelled. Fishing is available in two lakes – Little Emerald and Emerald – and in the stream (Lake Creek). The best of Durango delivered straight to your inbox. This is the best chance for a re-supply prior to reaching Little Emerald Lake. One of the gems of the wilderness is Emerald Lake, the third-largest natural lake in Colorado, with crystal-clear waters that take on a green hue in the right light. Emerald Lake is located in the Weminuche Wilderness 10 miles from the Pine River Trailhead near Vallecito Reservoir. Distance: 35.2 miles Submission: Brent Umphlett Difficulty: 4/5 Duration: 5 days Rating: 4/5 stars With no family reunion to plan our annual backpacking trip around this year (Covid-cancelled), my brother and I decided to leave our regular northwest Wyoming stomping grounds for Colorado's famed Weminuche Wilderness. I started to cross and knew I was in trouble. The trail gains quite a bit of elevation and meanders through streams, forest, and meadows. If you're not acclimated to higher elevations you should take it easy the first day. This is the first year I won't be visiting CO in years, besides a layover at the Denver airport. I don’t remember how old I was when I first went to Emerald Lake, Colorado, but I know I was quite young. Check out www.theblondecoyote.com for more info! This means headwaters reach both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. At nearly 500,000 acres, the Weminuche Wilderness is by far Colorado's largest Wilderness. Weminuche Wilderness is part of the San Juan National Forest and is the largest Wilderness in Colorado. This is scanned from a film negative (Kodak Gold 200) using a Plustek OptifFilm 7600i scanner. fly fishing emerald lake, weminuche wilderness, southwest colorado. ... Colorado. People like to fish in Emerald Lake and horseback up to the lake so the area is not completely secluded. Looking ESE from below Dollar Lake. What comes up, must come down. July 2011. Set up at least 100 feet from water, disperse wastewater, and ask rangers about closed lakeside sites and other local restrictions. About Weminuche Wilderness. Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 26, 2012: Great photos; beautiful country! The rest of the hike into Emerald Lake gets much more challenging. This stunning alpine lake offers soul stirring views of pristine waters. We huddled under a tree to eat our lunch and wait out the rain. Within the wilderness area, which is closed to all vehicular traffic, you can hike to high alpine valleys, mountain peaks and pristine lakes on hundreds of miles of marked trails. Emerald Lake is in the Weminuche Wilderness area in Southwestern Colorado. The decided upon hike would be 10 miles out to Emerald lake which lies in the Weminuche wilderness, the largest wilderness area in Colorado. ... Emerald Lake is the third largest natural lake in Colorado. Learn what to wear on an Emerald Lake hike and consider visiting a Durango outfitter for the camping supplies you’ll need if you make it an overnight trip. Cookies and other technologies on this website are used but not limited to, personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. An easy stretch wraps slightly eastward with Lake Creek. Evergreen, Outdoors, Points Of Interest |. Like Peters Peak, Weminuche Peak is one of the easier summits to reach in the Rock Lake area. Emerald Lake is 248 feet deep with 280 surface acres and 12.0 miles of shoreline. Pictures are great for remembering the good and the bad memories of past trips (no pun intended... haha). Day 1 elevation and time using the Gaia GPS app. The first few miles of the trail go through the ranch before you head into the Weminuche Wilderness. For the first part of our honeymoon last summer, my husband and I went on three day hike in the Weminuche Wilderness area. Emerald Lake is 248 feet deep with 280 surface acres and 12.0 miles of shoreline. We learned a valuable lesson on that hike. Deborah Neyens from Iowa on July 12, 2012: I used to hike every summer in Colorado, but it's been several years since I've been there. The largest wilderness in Colorado, the Weminuche wilderness contains a significant part of the San Juan Mountains near the towns of Durango, Silverton, and Pagosa Springs Colorado. I miss it!! Emerald Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Colorado, and is a popular spot for fisherman and overnight backpackers. Wildflowers Along Pine River Trail, Weminuche Wilderness. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, and the turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). It started clouding up a little but we had our rain jackets so we weren't too worried. From there, strong backpackers can make it to Rock Lake in a day. The unique Cutthroat Rainbow Trout hybrid exists in the lake. At the base of the Emerald Lake/Pine River Trail split, there are several camp sites and access to the Pine River to refill and take a break. At three quarters the size of Rhode Island, the Weminuche Wilderness is the largest Wilderness area in Colorado at 499,771 acres. We have been Snowbirds for years. It was a great place to spend our honeymoon, minus the fall of course. Beyond the lake, we encountered the most spectacular field of wildflowers either of us had ever seen. I'm glad you are okay after that fall; crossing streams can get any of us hikers no matter how careful we are. fly fishing emerald lake, weminuche wilderness, southwest colorado. Soon it was pouring. Pine River Trail is 49 miles out and back and the elevation ranges from 8,000 to 10,500 ft. We were only going to hike as far as Moon lake which was about 15 miles in. Recommended Routes in Weminuche Wilderness - 7 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. You can make your adventure as long or short as you desire, but to reach Emerald lake, the roundtrip is only 20 miles. Permits & Regulations No permits required, but LNT camping is a must. The trail is moderately trafficked, so you might occasionally run into fellow hikers. The elevation at Granite Peak Ranch is 8000 ft. Colorado. I could hear elk bugling much of the time as well, and there were bear warning signs at the trailhead for Vallecito Trail #529.Moose and deer are also common. Little Emerald Lake and Emerald Lake, Colorado, July, 1994 This is from a hike in July, 1994 in the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan National Forest near Durango, Colorado. Emerald Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Colorado, and is a popular spot for fisherman and overnight backpackers. It looked like something out of a painting. - emerald lake colorado stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Estes Park, CO___9_25_2006_ Rocky Mountain National Park crews are working on the Emerald Lake Trail on Monday. Trail: Emerald and Moon Lakes, Weminuche Wilderness, CO. The following leg of the 10-mile hike to Emerald Lake can be a bit more grueling, with steeper elevation changes and rocky terrain. The 5-acre Emerald Lake parcel faces the two namesake signature peaks of the Weminuche Wilderness, Pidgeon and Turret Peaks, residing in the hugely popular New York and Chicago Basin area of Needle Creek. Even a small chance of rain (which is what our forecast was) is worth taking seriously. The rest of the hike into Emerald Lake gets much more challenging. Great photos! ... bladders prior to climbing out to the pass to descend past Half Moon Lake and Moon Lake to reach our next camp below Emerald Lake. Itâs remote, quiet (usually) and epic, making this ⦠The Weminuche spans the Continental Divide. The Weminuche Wilderness covers 500,000 acres and features seemingly endless opportunities to take in natury in all its glory. It is wise to be prepared for your hike to Emerald Lake. Looking ESE from below Dollar Lake. - stock photo A young woman in her early thirties Fly Fishing on Emerald Lake, Weminuche Wilderness, Southwest Colorado. You might see porcupines, bears or even a moose on your hike to Emerald Lake. At mile 6.3 the Lake Fork Trail turns off to the north. We encountered a problem immediately. I made it almost all the way before the current grabbed me. Hiking Colorado's Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas, by Donna Ikenberry, $17. We packed up small backpack with lunch and our rain jackets and headed out. Weminuche Wilderness - Emerald Lake/Little Emerald Lake. Day 1 elevation and time using the Gaia GPS app. brenda12lynette (author) from Utah on June 26, 2012: I won't be doing much hiking this summer, so I'm writing hubs to relive past memories. The next day, we headed to Silverton, CO for the remainder of our honeymoon. Emerald Lake is just one of the Alpine lakes in the Weminuche Wilderness area. Add Your Recommended Routes ... Emerald Lake - Vallacito Creek Loop 36.9 mi 59.3 km • 5,018' Up 1529.62 m Up • 5,006' Down 1525.94 m Down. Hiking Coloradoâs Weminuche & South San Juan Wilderness Areas Falcon Guide NWS Weather Forecast for Silverton, Colorado Wilderness rules and regulations from Wilderness.net. The trail continues to ascend, sometimes gradually and sometimes moderately, toward Emerald Lake (mile 10), and continues more steeply to Moon Lake and a spectacular view of Mount Oso at mile 14. Mark Shulkosky from Pennsylvania on June 26, 2012: Sounds like it a great hike, minus the fall. If you are hiking up a mountain and crossing a lot of water, beware if it starts to rain. Sept. 21, 2018 — Nestled within the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado and located at the top of a rise behind beautiful Emerald Lake sits three properties that, until now, were a threat to the designated wilderness around them. It was early August, but the morning had a hint of a chill that can only be felt in the middle of the summer in the mountains. I was pretty shook up but I had no serious injuries, which was extremely lucky. Emerald Lake is just one of the Alpine lakes in the Weminuche Wilderness area. The largest wilderness in Colorado, the Weminuche wilderness contains a significant part of the San Juan Mountains near the towns of Durango, Silverton, and Pagosa Springs Colorado. Again, camping is only permitted 1/2 miles north of Emerald Lake. Hiking along Emerald Lake was breathtaking. Emerald Lake, a dayâs hike deep in the Weminuche Wilderness, is a gem of an exception: the waters are crystal clear, the fish are as long as a fishermanâs arm and the soundscape is unmarred by man and his motor boats. . The morning was cool, but it was rapidly warming up. Emerald Lake One of the gems of the wilderness is Emerald Lake, the third-largest natural lake in Colorado, with crystal-clear waters that take on a green hue in the right light. Weminuche Wilderness is 3/4ths the size of the state of Rhode Island. At three quarters the size of Rhode Island, the Weminuche Wilderness is the largest Wilderness area in Colorado at 499,771 acres. It was only a short distance from the trail head so we were able to get up early and head out on the trail. As the trail continued, it ran across small streams and a couple not so small streams. It is amazing, and I was definitely glad to have a partner that day! It is best to make the hike from June to October. 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