A return to Lake City made for a lovely day trip. We drove north from South Fork last week but arrived too late to stay and photograph much in the area. This time we drove south from Gunnison and arrived in time to take yet another dirt road trip .

We always check in at the Visitor Center first if they are open.  Lake City thrives on its tourist business and they can give you a cart full of information, maps, calendars and are ready to answer any question and make recommendations to make … — We always check in at the Visitor Center first if they are open. Lake City thrives on its tourist business and they can give you a cart full of information, maps, calendars and are ready to answer any question and make recommendations to make sure you have your very own 'peak experience'.

Henson Creek along CR 20 towards Engineer Pass.

We looked over the information we were given and considered the many options for an afternoon adventure. We chose to drive CR 20 along Henson Creek towards Engineer Pass. Our goal was to reach Whitmore Falls but Ms Prissy Prius was not up to the last few miles and it was too late to hike the rest of the way. Henson Creek is rushing towards the Gunnison River which will join up with the Colorado River at Grand Junction. Tom had fun with slow shots and I was determined to capture the action.

I wish I could add the sound to these images.  Just imagine 'LOUD'! — I wish I could add the sound to these images. Just imagine 'LOUD'!

Ah!  Tom took an action shot after all!! — Ah! Tom took an action shot after all!!

Abandoned building from an old mining camp.

As we drive down most county roads we see signs telling us whether we are on private or public land.  There are many homes along the way that can enjoy gorgeous views along with quiet and peace.  However, I imagine the trade-offs of inconv… — As we drive down most county roads we see signs telling us whether we are on private or public land. There are many homes along the way that can enjoy gorgeous views along with quiet and peace. However, I imagine the trade-offs of inconvenience and isolation in winter.

Tom got a lot of pretty good shots from the car or by just stepping out quickly if I could pull over.  We cover the road at 10 to 20 mph, depending on the road's condition.  Gorgeous scenery! — Tom got a lot of pretty good shots from the car or by just stepping out quickly if I could pull over. We cover the road at 10 to 20 mph, depending on the road's condition. Gorgeous scenery!

Don't you just love rebellious aspen trees that simply do not 'follow form'?

When we returned to Lake City we had just enough time to drive along Lake San Cristobal. We did not stop until we got to the bridge and the end of the paved road. I was tired of dirt so we grabbed a few shots from the bridge and then headed home.

I would love to spend even more days in the Lake City area. If you are thinking of traveling to the area, check in with the Visitor Center. Have lunch at the restaurant Climb. I think I named it Altitude in my South Fork blog entry (sorry). Both meals we have had there were excellent. You will be able to cover a lot more of Colorado if you have a 4 x 4 vehicle with high clearance. I am not coming back until we have one!!

It is a short trip from Pagosa Springs to South Fork going over Wolf Creek Pass. South Fork is a small community with no traffic lights, McDonald's or Taco Bell. It does have a gas station, a liquor store and a very nice general store. When I write 'general' I mean it! It has all the basic needs of hikers, bikers, fishermen, campers, RVers, and cooks.

Nice place to stay but too close to the highway for me.

South Fork is on the southern end of Highway 149.  We had been told that this very scenic highway was not recommended for RVs.  By parking Mellie in South Fork we were within driving distance of Creede and Lake City. — South Fork is on the southern end of Highway 149. We had been told that this very scenic highway was not recommended for RVs. By parking Mellie in South Fork we were within driving distance of Creede and Lake City.

Creede sits just below a deep canyon that at one time had numerous mining camps.  Today it is the only incorporated city in Mineral County, CO.  In 2010 the census listed its population at 201.  It is charming and colorful. There are … — Creede sits just below a deep canyon that at one time had numerous mining camps. Today it is the only incorporated city in Mineral County, CO. In 2010 the census listed its population at 201. It is charming and colorful. There are some artist galleries and an active theater company.

On the corner of Wall and Main Streets . . .

Creede is like many old mining towns that are continually re-inventing themselves as tourist and artist destinations.

Slim pickings for new and interesting flowers in Creede.

Walking around Creede, peeking into windows (most stores were closed when we arrived), and watching people is fun but not nearly enough adventure for us. We decided to try the Bachelor's Loop, a self-guided 17 mile dirt road that would stop at 8 different historical mining sites. We started up the road which ran parallel to Willow Creek. It seems like all creeks in this area of Colorado are moving with unusual force and lots of water from spring snow melting. All was going well until Ms Prissy Prius started sliding backwards and not holding any traction to the road!! It occurred to me that my car and its occupants could slide all the way backwards and down into the creek! Tom hopped out to guide me driving backwards, very, very slowly . . . . excruciatingly slowly to a lower part of the road. Just as we got to a wider part of the road a huge black powerful pickup zipped right past us and up the hill. Relieved, we found our way back into town. It was getting towards evening by then so we returned to South Fork.

The beginning of Bachelor's Loop.  Looks pretty tame at this point! — The beginning of Bachelor's Loop. Looks pretty tame at this point!

We saw numerous retaining walls built.  Our guess is that these steep walls just keep 'coming down' in this narrow canyon.  They did not look that secure to me! — We saw numerous retaining walls built. Our guess is that these steep walls just keep 'coming down' in this narrow canyon. They did not look that secure to me!

These were supports for train tracks at one time.

Amazing wood structures!  I was hoping for an interpretive sign in the area but never found one. — Amazing wood structures! I was hoping for an interpretive sign in the area but never found one.

More retaining walls.  It seemed to me that the wall was built progressively higher to protect the wood structure below it. — More retaining walls. It seemed to me that the wall was built progressively higher to protect the wood structure below it.

Just around the corner the road goes steeply upward!  It was up that part of the road that we backed down. — Just around the corner the road goes steeply upward! It was up that part of the road that we backed down.

The next morning we decided to drive to Lake City. Highway 149 goes right through Creede, up over Spring Creek Pass and then over Slumgullion Pass. My daughter informed me that the Slumgullion Pass has nothing to do with Slumgullion Stew. We agreed this road is not for Mellie. Until you get close to Slumgullion Pass the road is not too bad and we spotted lots of RV parks along the way. This country is just gorgeous, breathtaking, expansive and very tough to capture the grandeur. One surprise was North Clear Creek Falls. Wow!

Numerous properties along the road are for sale.  How about a 10 cabin fixer upper? — Numerous properties along the road are for sale. How about a 10 cabin fixer upper?

This is North Clear Creek Falls.  Would you like it slow? — This is North Clear Creek Falls. Would you like it slow?

Or from further downstream as a black and white?

As you enter Lake City you drive right by the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.

We drove through Lake City and decided it would be on a short list of places to visit from our Gunnison camp. We dined at the Altitude Restaurant (very, very nice) and returned quickly to South Fork. The next day we took off about midday for Natural Arch. That was another adventure. We started off missing an obvious turn and getting lost before doubling back. Then we opted for longer route thinking the county road might be smoother. Wrong! We stopped along the way because no matter which way we went the scenery was just spectacular at every turn. I rode the high side of deep ruts in the road, constantly checked to make sure we still had cell phone contact and kept wondering where the signs were for this well known landmark. We were rewarded when we got to the site.

We were trying to find the right county road and came across an area that I think was just outside Del Norte.  Every house in the community was different.  Several of them had this type of variegated roof. — We were trying to find the right county road and came across an area that I think was just outside Del Norte. Every house in the community was different. Several of them had this type of variegated roof.

Where are we?  Hmmm 112 or CR 38 or hmmmmm . . . pretty mountains! — Where are we? Hmmm 112 or CR 38 or hmmmmm . . . pretty mountains!

We see these ranch entrances all over the place.  They are massive.  I think this ranch is at the top of the food chain! — We see these ranch entrances all over the place. They are massive. I think this ranch is at the top of the food chain!

There was a trail, of sorts, that looked like it led to the top.  What a great view might be had from up there.  This was taken about half way up. — There was a trail, of sorts, that looked like it led to the top. What a great view might be had from up there. This was taken about half way up.

Not a bad view from very near the top.  The rocks were getting to be too much for this climber. — Not a bad view from very near the top. The rocks were getting to be too much for this climber.

I wisely decided to head back down.  Where is Ann when I need her help in getting up the last 10 feet?  I got down by sliding on my fanny! — I wisely decided to head back down. Where is Ann when I need her help in getting up the last 10 feet? I got down by sliding on my fanny!

After shooting all we wanted at Natural Arch we headed back to South Fork.  The vistas were awesome.  The rutted road seemed to matter less and less. — After shooting all we wanted at Natural Arch we headed back to South Fork. The vistas were awesome. The rutted road seemed to matter less and less.

A flower for Kati.  Hope she is healing quickly so she can get back to shooting her camera.  I miss her photos and know the rest of you do as well. — A flower for Kati. Hope she is healing quickly so she can get back to shooting her camera. I miss her photos and know the rest of you do as well.

That is all of South Fork. Tonight we are in Del Norte. Even smaller than South Fork but we had an awesome pizza and salad at the Three Barrel Brewery. If you drive through here you should definitely stop and eat there. Thanks for joining us.