The entire trail is actually a 4WD jeep road that parallels Deer Creek as it snakes into the basin. Old mining claims are kept alive by listing a number of them on Trails Illustrated topo map # 104. Local mines include Mozart, Superior, Bell, Bullion, Climax, Upper and Lower Chatauqua, Mohawk, Star of the West, Arabella, and Lower and Upper Radical, all of them in Deer Creek Basin.
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| Deer Creek. |
The Basin is surrounded by high country including Teller Mountain (12,602'), Sheep Mountain (12,495'), Wise Mountain (12,052'), and Glacier Mountain (12,384'), all above treeline.
There was a scant peek at the colorful extravaganza coming soon to the Rockies - a stand of Aspen was dressed in its finest golden outfit - posing graciously for the camera. Vegetation in this long meadow also showed signs of fall with shades of dark red, crimson, and rust.
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| Glacier Mountain as seen from across the basin. |
The 4WD jeep road that would lead us up slope was dotted with pot holes, some full of water. Runoff from higher elevations had caused considerable erosion to the road bed. There is virtually no place to step that is not littered with partially/fully exposed or loose rock. A condition for hikers with the potential of causing injury. In addition, runoff from higher elevations is continually flowing down slope as we climb.
We arrived at the junction of Radical Hill Jeep Trail and Middle Fork Jeep Trail just over 12,000' el. The first few hikers to arrive waited there for the rest of the group. Minutes later, the hum of a vehicle engine could be heard. Looking down slope, a 4WD SUV was spotted heading our way.
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| Energetic SuSu Fu stands atop rocks loaded with lichens. |
At one point, the driver stopped and got out to inspect the challenging roadbed, and removed large loose rocks, before moving on. There was no room to spare on either side of the SUV as it slowly made its way up slope and out of sight. Shortly thereafter, a second vehicle, a 4WD Jeep Rubicon made its way to where the group was stopped for a rest break.
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| Ed, Joe, and Gary1, bush whack down slope after lunch. |
During lunch, a few members of the group climbed to the top of the basin to check out the view.
Our descent will be remembered as an adventure, thanks to Ed. From the lunch spot, we went off trail, bush whacking our way down slope, across rock formations, and skirting marshy areas, before meeting the jeep road that would take us back to the van.
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| Two Horay Coma engaged in harmony. |
The mountain town of Montezuma, a former mining camp covers all of 64 acres. Situated at 10,200' el., this tiny town had a population last year of 65 residents. Founded in 1865 after the discovery of silver, the town had 2 hotels, 3 stores, 3 saloons, 2 blacksmiths, a shoe maker, post office, restaurants, boarding houses, and a sawmill. According to the town newspaper, Mill Run, the number of residents peaked at 1,000 in 1890.
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| High Country Hikers: Front Row (L to R) Dorothy Stromberg, Marilyn Jaster, SuSu Fu, Nancy Bralic, and Monica Richard. Back Row (L to R) Gary Merical, Hike Leader/Driver, Ed Blum, Mary Kay Ryan, Joe Jackson, and Bob Seckman. Photo by Gary Alleman, Happy Trails Photography, Aurora, CO. |
Total Miles = 7.2
Total Elevation Gain = 941'
Note: There is no ACAA scheduled hike next Tuesday. However, Ed will hike to French Pass next Thursday, September 26th. Those interested and willing to drive should meet at the intersection of Quincy and Parker Road, (north west side) in the parking lot, in front of Furniture Row. We will leave for the TH at 7 a.m. sharp. Pack rain gear, water and lunch. This hike is known as one of the prettiest in Colorado, it showcases a number of panoramic peak views.
RT miles = 6.6
Elev. gain = 1,400'
Difficulty = Moderate
TH Elev. = 10,600
High point = 12,046
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