힌스데일 카운티 최고의 워킹 & 하이킹 경로

4x4 hc necessary to upper TH. Great hike, amazing views

This is one of a few exposed saddles in the area along the CT/CDT with great views, a steep grade, and a short ascent.

Hikers on the Colorado Trail will traverse the Snow Mesa, a long, flat mesa with lots of exposure on top. This point is the edge that drops down into Spring Creek Pass, a scenic descent (or ascent if heading northbound) from this unique feature.

Mineral Creek is a reliable water source and there are several good campsites in the area.

Spring Creek Pass is the access point for hikers of the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail to get into Lake City - unique hiker town. The hitch might not be too easy, but it is worth the wait. The trailhead has plenty of parking and a pit toilet.

Two information boards and a medium sized parking lot are located at the American Basin Trailhead. This is a great starting point to summit Handies Peak since you are already pretty high up in elevation. To get here though, you should have a car with high-clearance and 4x4.

With an elevation of 14,058 feet, Handies Peak is one of the Colorado 14,000ers. You can access the summit either from the American Basin, passing beautiful Sloan Lake or via Grizzly Gulch from Cinnamon Pass Road on the other side of the mountain. The view from the top is spectacular! Keep in mind, that the weather can change quickly and expect thunderstorms especially during the summer months. So start your hike early and descent in the early afternoon at the latest.

The Uncompahgre Peak Trail climbs steeply up the peak from here. There is a short class 2 section near the top, but this route is very doable. You can also take the Big Blue Creek Trail north of here up a short but steep set of switchbacks to another junction. From there you can take the relatively flat Ridge Stock Driveway Trail along the ridge above treeline to get fantastic views of the north Uncompahgre Wilderness or dive into the remote northern mountain valleys.