Conditions. October 2, 2016. Big Blue Creek. Big Blue Campground sure, but mega-ginormous, super-duper shimmering blue campground, now that’s more like it! The Alpine Trail begins in a meadow along the Big Blue Creek over easy terrain. Elevation was about 11,432 feet. Uncompahgre River. Approximately one mile past the Big Blue Creek Trail junction, the trail heads south toward the south ridge of Uncompahgre Peak. There is a 12 mile access from Highway 149. Silver Mountain has a long curved summit ridge. The trailhead is another mile past the campground. Trail on Firebox Creek, Fall Creek, Failes Creek, and Big Blue Creek in Uncompahgre NF, Uncompahgre Wilderness, CO. 0 • PLACE. It begins one half mile south of Big Blue Campground at approximately 9,670 feet. Big Blue Campground. Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners The Big Blue Trail is a major access route to the Uncompahgre Wilderness. Most of these trails lead south into the wilderness where mechanized and motorized … All Boat Launches Camping. Billy Creek is a State Wildlife Area with public access on the Uncompahgre River. Current fly fishing conditions are not going to be good today. Uncompahgre Wilderness Area (Formerly the Big Blue) ... Hikers can stroll across the flats to the sharp point of Wildhorse Peak and its precipitous view into Cow Creek Canyon, one of the wildest canyons in all of the San Juan Mountains. Including two peaks over 14,000 feet, the preserve was established in 1980 and called the Big Blue Wilderness Area. Ideal for hikers, the campground is close to the junction of Soldier Creek and Blue Creek, where there are numerous hiking trails, many of which lead south into the wilderness where no vehicles are allowed. Filter. Approach the monarch of the San Juan Mountains … The Big Blue Creek Trail is located 13.7 miles from Ouray, Colorado (CO) in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest. For the solitude seeker, Uncompahgre offers an escape from the crowds. At 0.6 miles the trail leaves the last of the trees behind and enters a rocky gully where it climbs switchbacks up the gully’s north wall to a trail junction with the Big Blue trail at 0.9 miles. Topping out at 14,309 feet, Uncompahgre Peak displays an unusual flat, tilted summit, rising near vertical on three sides. The east side of the trail follows Henson Creek where you'll find excellent places to camp and fish. Before reaching the trailhead, there is a campground to car camp or tent camp. Public access is plentiful and year-round river fishing water is available. It only lasted a minute or two before fading, but the show was spectacular! When to visit. The Uncompahgre Wilderness has so much more to offer. USGS Topo maps link: Dallas Courthouse Mountain Sheep Mountain… It wasn't too deep or wide, but it sure was cold. It comprises 102,721 acres in the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests with elevations ranging from 8400 feet to 14,309 feet. Visitors can enjoy fishing and cooling themselves in the creek. I have hiked this area many times including two Uncompahgre summits. Hiking. Uncompahgre Peak Peak 13,106', unofficially named Nellie Point, rises directly north of the Uncompahgre Peak Trailhead, elevation 11,420 feet. Whether you’re spinning, fly fishing or baitcasting your chances of getting a bite here are good. Lizard Head Wilderness offers … Share Share. When the sun broke free of the horizon, it really lit up Uncompahgre with some intense color! When BLM land was added in 1993, including American Flats, the name was changed to Uncompahgre. Over 100 miles of trails are available, and because about half of the wilderness is … Fall Creek is an excellent area for trout fishing and mushroom picking. Only a one star day. Mar 29, 2017 - This view of Uncompahgre Peak looks upon one of the most beautiful scenes in Colorado. This often-underrated gem of the Uncompahgre Wilderness lies in a beautiful valley close by a slue of fishing opportunities and numerous hiking trails­--most of which lead south into dense backcountry. Located near the junction of Soldier Creek and Blue Creek with variety of hiking trails exist in the area including Big Blue Trail, Fall Creek Trail, Ridge Stock Driveway Trail and Alpine Trail. The best weather and trail conditions occur in mid-to-late July. Failes Creek Trail, Big Blue Trail and Falls Creek Trail--Uncompahgre Wilderness: 24 miles 4 day/3 Night Backpacking Trip in the Uncompahgre Wilderness Day 1: Be prepared for a long one! Big Blue 4WD Scenic Tour Big Blue is a gorgeous alpine valley in the eastern section of the Uncompahgre Wilderness with Big Blue Creek and two other feeder streams, Soldi... more. The Montrose town run of the Uncompahgre is a very fun and … Uncompahgre National Forest; Your Rating: Your Difficulty: Your Favorites: Add ... Big Blue Creek is a favorite for hikers and fishermen. Uncompahgre River at Billy Creek. Download the free Uncompahgre Peak topo map. Cross into the 102,721-acre Uncompahgre Wilderness immediately. Big Blue Creek leads the eye to Uncompahgre Peak. A real jewel of a secluded campground overlooking a picturesque valley adjacent to the Uncompahgre Wilderness. After completing both of these peaks I found myself with some energy and plenty of day light so I decided to meander over to Matterhorn. Trail was great but if you're staying at the big blue campground near the trailhead its even better. Managed by the Uncompahgre National Forest, it is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of the town of … Call your local ninja because you will need them. The trail follows Big Blue Creek for eleven miles through Engelmann spruce forest and parks to an approximate elevation of 11,440 feet. The Uncompahgre (also known as ‘Big Blue’) is not as well known as its neighbors to the south and west (Weminuche, Sneffels, Lizard Head) mainly due to its distance from the big cities. Location was approximately 38.08922 North and -107.42460 West. The campground is small, with 11 sites, and overlooks a valley. Crystal Lake is no exception. In September 2018 I went back to hike Silver Mountain and PT13,681 (bi-centenial 13ers) from Nellie Creek. Formerly known as Big Blue, the Uncompahgre Wilderness is the largest Wilderness in the Forest, with over 100 miles of trails to prove it. Uncompahgre River at Montrose. The trail splits at this point with the left fork continuing as Big Blue Trail. The Uncompahgre wilderness, (previously known as Big Blue Wilderness), is located five miles northwest of the quaint Colorado town of Lake City and ten miles east of Ouray. Per Adult $95.00: Per Child $48.00 : Book Now. Slide Lake, a natural lake formed by a rock slide across Big Blue Creek in the 1940s, lies five miles south of Big Blue Trailhead in the Uncompahgre Wilderness. The San Juan Mountain Range in the Uncompahgre National Forest has 4 peaks over 14,000' and another 100 peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, and includes the Uncompahgre (formerly Big Blue), Mount Sneffels, and part of the Lizard Head Wilderness Areas. This is a very swift creek...." Cottonwood Creek "Lakes that winterkill tend not to offer a very good fishing. Backtrack to the pass and return to the Uncompahgre Peak Trail via the Big Blue Creek Trail. From here it's only about a mile to the summit (but also around 1,500 ft gain). There are a few trout here but fishing is poor...." Crystal Lake "There are good numbers of nice rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout in Big Blue Reservoir...." Big Blue Creek Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail metrics. This stretch of river consistanly produces nice Browns and Rainbows. Something in our Fatty Factor models indicates you may contemplate another day or find another stream. Unfortunately there were no easy rock hops. How do I put it? Keep looking! This post is also available in: EnglishFrançaisDeutsch日本語The Uncompahgre Wilderness Area, formerly called the Big Blue Wilderness, is managed by the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison (GMUG) Forest. The mountains around Uncompahgre are amazing. 2 roads in, take alpine road if you're feeling really crazy, 1 lane with tight switchbacks, a much shorter drive in, but not for those afraid of heights. September 16, 2015. Big Blue Creek, Colorado Fishing Report. However, the most popular body of water in the Uncompahgre Wilderness is undoubtedly the Big Blue Creek which flows steadily at the heart of the wilderness. For current conditions, contact the San Juan Mountains Center in Silverton at 970-387-553 (closed in winter). If coming from Uncompahgre Peak area expect seeing a few people since 14ers are popular destination. A few minutes later the color was gone but warm golden light was still getting through the clouds. Managed by the Uncompahgre National Forest, it is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of the town of … After leaving the lands of the Uncompahgre Forest, Big Blue Creek flows northward to contribute to the waters of the Gunnison River. In addition, the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk and Dallas Creek areas within Ridgway State Park offer classic tailwater river fishing, small creeks and stocked ponds the whole family can enjoy. At the junction the Big Blue trail heads right (north). Read more. Elevation in the Wilderness ranges from 8,400 feet (2,600 m) to 14,309 feet (4,361 m), at the summit of Uncompahgre Peak. Creek in Colorado. Backtrack to the pass and return to the Uncompahgre Peak Trail via the Big Blue Creek Trail. Flow: 48cfs; Temp: 24.8°F; Wind: 10 mph; Hi / Low: 33/-1; Powered by Dark Sky. 0 Star This. These areas offer wonderful places for backcountry enthusiasts to get away and enjoy a wilderness adventure. Fall Creek Trail. caught some rainbows and brookies. Over 100 miles of trails are available, and because about half of the wilderness is … Big Blue Creek is a stream located just 25.1 miles from Montrose, in Gunnison County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Sapinero, CO. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brook trout here. It comprises 102,721 acres in the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests with elevations ranging from 8400 feet to 14,309 feet. Tragically, the spruce-fir forest in this region is succumbing to beetle kill. The … Big Blue Creek Trail. Peter Nesbitt. At 0.9 miles it reaches the junction with the Big Blue Creek Trail #232 and starts to climb steadily to the west. I took off my shoes and socks and forded the creek. Excellent fishing opportunities exist on the Uncompahgre River, right in the city of Montrose. And the fishing is good. Andy Kulaszewski . Less than an hour into the hike, I came to a crossing of Big Blue Creek. Most of the route is easy, but there are still a few narrow, steep places on the west side of the pass that will get your attention. It offers good fishing for brook and rainbow trout in early summer and fall. Tweet. The Uncompahgre wilderness, (previously known as Big Blue Wilderness), is located five miles northwest of the quaint Colorado town of Lake City and ten miles east of Ouray. One of the longer hikes in the Forest, the Little Cimarron-Fall Creek loop takes you above the timberline and into mountain-lion country at almost 13,000 feet. We turn left (west) on the trail to Uncompahgre Peak. Located next to the Uncompahgre Wilderness is the Big Blue Campground. The Uncompahgre Wilderness (formerly called the Big Blue Wilderness) is a U.S. Wilderness Area in southwest Colorado comprising 102,721 acres (415.70 km 2).Elevation in the Wilderness ranges from 8,400 feet (2,600 m) to 14,309 feet (4,361 m), at the summit of Uncompahgre Peak. Failes Creek to the Big Blue Trail Standing here by the wilderness sign, I've no idea there are 3 more miles, on top of the 7 we've already done, in front of me... Every adventure has some learning … Fishing Accesses Hiking … PLACE. The Uncompahgre Wilderness (formerly called the Big Blue Wilderness) is a U.S. Wilderness Area in southwest Colorado comprising 102,721 acres (415.70 km2). 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