La Plata mountains

One of the trails I ran a lot when I was in college was a trail in the La Plata Mountains outside of Durango Colorado. It's a trail without a particular name mostly because it is on private property and not supposed to be hiked or run. But when you want a killer workout off the beaten [and beautiful] path [which we did] then this was it.
The trail doesn't have a name that I know of but it may be Eagle Pass according to my perusing through Google Earth.

I did this run in June 2010.

The start of the trail crosses a creek.

After about 30 minutes of running you look back and get this view.

Just cruising along.

Spectacular view. The area has an old mine. This building is a relic of its past.

Near the top.

At the top.

Distance: 9 miles [?]
Time: 3 hours

Lime Creek Road October

Early October in Colorado

Ice Lake Basin July 08

The beginning of the Ice Lake trail a 3.5 mile trail [7 mile round trip] that is located just north of Silverton Colorado and off on an easily accesible dirt road toward South Mineral Campground. The starting altitude is about 9,200 feet.


Less than a mile from the start is a flowing waterfall and creek.


View from the lower valley. In the distance are the mountains that surround Ice Lake Basin.


Interesting foliage grows along the trail at high altitude - [above 10,000 feet].


Coming out of the valley the trail sort of disappears amid snow and rock.


At about 12,000 feet and almost there....


Here it is. After an hour-and-a-half of hike/running here is the main lake in Ice Lake Basin. Yes, there really is ice in the lake during July.


A few minutes more of snow hiking leads to this view above two lakes. The main one is the further lake.


Many creeks flow throughout this high altitude basin.


The third lake is called Fuller Lake and it has an old cabin [or hut] on its shore.


A closer look at the old hut. It had a note on the wall that read: "Those who are lost want to be found, those who wander are not lost."
[In the midground to the right is a marmot].


Heading back and looking into the valley right below Ice Lake Basin.

Distance: 7 to 8 miles.
Total Time: Around 4 hours. Hung around on top for an hour.

A church in Silverton.
The mountain in the background is Kendall Mtn.

Bear Creek Trail

A nice long trail that starts in Telluride Co north of town at Bridal Veil falls. This shot was taken after hiking for close to two hours. It is just past the top of Wasach and going down toward Bear Creek Trail.