Back to the Scene of the Crime

In late September 2013, my sister and I slid off the side of the road on Slumgullion Pass in a snow storm (see that story here).  The next summer, I went back to that spot to see if I could find my missing hubcap.  Sure enough, it was down there.

Looking back up the mountain side in the same spot we slid off the side of the road

Looking back at the bend in the road where the slide started

Above Lake City

The views above Lake San Cristobal are spectacular.  A 4x4 road take you up near the Continental Divide along the Colorado Trail, and from the tops of those mountains, you can see Lake San Cristobal and three 14,000-foot mountains.

The 4x4 road above Rambouillet and Sawmill Park.

Looking across the valley from close to the Continental Divide above Lake City

Red Mountain with Uncompahgre lurking behind it.  A portion of Lake San Cristobal is visible in the valley.

Red Mountain flanked by 14ers Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre

Looking up the valley below a line of fourteeners: Redcloud Peak (14,035 feet), Sunshine Peak (14,006 feet), and Handies Peak (14,058 feet)

Above Lake City, Colorado

Cinnamon Pass winds up this valley, passing under three 14ers

Looking up the valley along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and toward Cinnamon Pass.  Three fourteeners are visible in this picture: Redcloud, Sunshine, and Handies Peaks.

Lake San Cristobal from above.  Lake City is in this valley and is just out of view.

The yellow dirt is where part of Mesa Seco broke away as the Slumgullion Slide.  That slide is dammed the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and formed Lake San Cristobal, the second largest natural lake in Colorado.

Red Mountain with Wetterhorn to its left and Uncompahgre to its right (both in the distance)

A closer look at Red Mountain with Wetterhorn to its left and Uncompahgre to its right (both in the distance)

This chipmunk lives above the tree line near the Continental Divide

Looking east

Looking southeast

View to the south showing the Continental Divide

Looking south to the start of Cinnamon Pass (with Crystal Lakes and Sunshine and Handies Peaks visible)

Panoramic view from the top

Rambouillet Park

Red Mountain and Uncompahgre from Rambouillet Park

Wetterhorn, Uncompahgre, and Crystal Peaks from Windy Point Overlook

More wildlife on the way back to the cabin

Another gorgeous Lake City Sunset

Another Lake City Sunset

I haven't gotten tired of sunsets over Lake City.

Looking back down the valley toward Lake City and Crystal Peak

 

Sun sinking behind Uncompahgre

 

Wetterhorn, Uncompahgre, and Crystal Peaks

Around Lake San Cristobal

When I have some free time between fishing trips, I often hop on the bike and ride around Lake San Cristobal and take in the views.

Lake San Cristobal

Lake Fork of the Gunnison River flowing into Lake San Cristobal

Cliffs above Lake San Cristobal

Butterfly near the lake

Looking down on Lake San Cristobal toward Cinnamon Pass

The road to Lake City with Uncompahgre towering in the background

The Continental Divide reflecting on the surface of Lake San Cristobal on a summer evening

The Continental Divide above Lake San Cristobal aglow at sunset