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Show Safari Route . . . Alpine Route a "Real Cool" Experience ?The Alpine Route, Trail 2, is according to leaders Darrell Peck and Roger Christensen, "real cool." It's "cool" because it's their favorite, but it's also cool because it will be the highest elevation route. This trail provides probably the most variety in scenes, from red rock canyon and plateau country to some of the highest trails on the La Sal Mountains, featuring all kinds of flora and fauna. The route heads over La Sal Pass above Pack Creek Ranch, and features very steep roads on this segment. The group will stop at an inactive uranium mine and mine dump in a highly picturesque setting with mountain peaks looming above and a creek gorge below. It is about this time of year that giant mushrooms up to a foot in diameter appear on the mountain. Somt- varieties varie-ties are edible, however others are highly poisonous, and a mushroom expert is needed to tell the difference. Medicine Lake, so named for its unusual brownish color, is a possible lunch site. This , lake is nestled in the pines at the base of a rolling meadow, and surrounded by mountain peaks. Elevation is over 10,000 feet, and ducks and beaver may be spotted at the lake. The trail then follows the south side of the mountains, running through Ponderosa Pine and scub oak hillsides. Campground will be at Buckeye Buck-eye Reservoir in Colorado at elevation 7,600 feet, in a developed campground. The lake will afford swimming, swimm-ing, boating for those with Colorado fishing licenses. In addition there are many vehicle trails nearby worth exploring, and deer or elk may be sighted. The second day, the Alpine Route goes up over Geyser Pass, a fairly rough road, with a possible side trip into Gold Basin, where there was much mining activity at the turn of the century. The group will proceed on down to the mountain loop road, linking up with the Sand Flats road, stopping at the spectacular Porcupine Rim overlook of Castle Valley, and on to town following the wisp of smoke coming from "the world's most scenic city dump." In case of extremely wet weather this trip may be cancelled because Geyser Pass is nearly impassable during heavy rain. Course of action should serious rain fall during the trip will be decided by the route leaders. |
