On our recent vacation to South Fork Colorado we fulfilled a mission we set out upon about 5-years previously. The mission, 4-wheel back 24 miles of jeep road, then hike about a mile into Wheeler Geologic Area. This was no small task and in the end required the rental of 2 4-wheel drive Jeep Rubicons and about 9-hours of round trip travel and hiking. It was amazing, a total blast, and nice to finally see this place we have been itching to experience for so many years.
The trek really started on a previous trip to the South Fork area (around 2007) when the entire family, I think 13 of us at the time, decided we’d like to check out this odd outcropping of leftover volcanic matter tucked well into the mountains southeast of Creede. We loaded up two full sized pickup trucks and hoped for the best. The trip was epic and not just in that we failed at our goal. It was epic in the sense of how badly the passengers were banged up and sick by the end of a four hour attempt. The road was nearly impassible with these high clearance vehicles because of the long wheel beds that made the ride just too rough to bear. On that first trip we saw some wildlife, did some mud running, and managed to get out without breaking either of the vehicles or ourselves. However, we have talked about a return trip ever since.
Lucas and Cole checking things out. Wheeler Geologic Area sits at 11,040 feet, a nearly 3,000 foot climb from the Rio Grande River that winds through the valley floor. The site itself (about 640 acres in total) is made up of what is called “Volcanic Tuff” and is the remains of the fine debris that was blown sky high from vents deep into the earth. Tuff is debris that goes from dust flakes and granules up to blocks 2-3 feet in size and then compacted together to make a soft rock substance. The area was further compacted by several thousand feet of lava and several thousand more feet of dust and debris during a period of high volcanic activity. What remains after millions of years of erosion from wind and rain is oddly shaped hoodoos, which are large pinnacles and spires. For now, capstones help to hold together most of the vertical cracks and odd shaped formations. However, like most everything in nature, these amazing natural features will eventually erode away into large plains of dusty soil and small rock. From what we read, the San Juan Range of mountains where Wheeler sits, was the largest area of volcanic activity in the state of Colorado. It was named for Captain George Wheeler who was in charge of surveying and exploration work being done by the War Department in 1874.
On our successful trip to the monument we had a chance to experience several distinct land types and road conditions. The first phase of the trip was 14-miles in length and was a regular dirt forest access road. This part was a breeze and the Jeep Rubicons made the bumpy dusty roads feel like an asphalt road. We were continually impressed with our vehicles because of how well they performed throughout the day. On the way up we caught a glimpse of a group of bachelor mountain goats out for a morning walk.
The second part of the road was another 14-miles in length and was a very different type of experience altogether. From the trail head in a meadow the trail rose quickly and narrowed to a third of its original width and we began to get a sense of what lay ahead. Rocks jutted from the road in all directions and large potholes, filled with muddy water, were everywhere. The interesting part of this long 4-whel drive stretch is that you only gain 200 feet in elevation from the start to end point at the trail head. However, in-between we went up and down steep roads through valleys and rock gardens. In many spots there were long stretches of deep muddy ruts and steep sections so extreme you could almost lean out of the cab and touch the ground with your hand.
Munching some lunch Once you reach the 14-mile point the hiking begins. Before we took on this next challenge we stopped to eat some lunch. The kids had fun dodging the camp robber birds and obnoxious little ground squirrels while munching down their PB&J and chips. The main Wheeler Geologic area was just a short 1-mile hike up a steep hillside and everyone was happy to be hiking instead of riding in the jeeps. By this point everyone was feeling the length of the day and the 11,000 altitude and a few of the kids were not feeling real well. Their effort was well rewarded when we reached to top of the knoll and the crazy spires and hoodoos laid out before us.
The return trip was pretty much the same as the up but the views were somewhat different. Since we made it through all of the deep mud puddles on the way up we hit them extra hard on the way back down the mountain. On one hole in particular we shot water so high that we soaked the boys sitting in the backseat.
Getting to Wheeler Geologic Area To reach the trail head, drive about 7 miles southeast of Creede on Colorado 149, then turn right on Pool Table Road, #600 and proceed about 10 miles to Hanson's Mill. The two-wheel-drive road ends here. The trail heads north, starting about 10,800 feet and rising to almost 12,000 at the formations. It drops to East Bellows Creek in 2 miles, then climbs through the spruce forests of Silver Park. In another 4 to 5 miles, you will hit a four-wheel-drive road. About a mile farther, enter the world of the Sandstones! (4WD vehicles must stop about half a mile before the formations.) Read more: http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/wheeler-geologic-area-outdoor-pp2-guide-cid401859.html#ixzz2dDt9b67D |