Backpacking The South San Juan Wilderness - "Epic" Loop Hike

JULY 2, 2011 - JULY 5, 2011 -- A 3 night, 4 day, 18.5 mile backpacking adventure into the South San Juan Wilderness. Located in the Rio Grande National Forest in Southern Colorado. Access to this area is just west outside of the town of Platoro, CO and a couple miles southwest of the Platoro Reservoir. BEST TIME OF YEAR TO HIKE THIS AREA IS JULY OR AUGUST! June may be too early for some because of the snow drifts which make the trails hard to find. An excellent high altitide backpacking adventure for the "Moderate" backpacker. So, you're getting rivers, lakes, creeks, trees, high peak summits, vistas, wildlife, and fishing!! It's backpacking paridise!! ---- I rate this backpacking trip 5/5 stars... for being MY most excellent backpacking trip to date so far!! =-=-=-= WANT A DECENT FREE MAP OF THIS AREA?? DOWNLOAD IT FROM HERE: www.ouachitamaps.com/picture_l...
MUSIC (in order of play) BY:
TRACK 1: "Purple Nurple" by Alex Beroza
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TRACK 2: "Hidden Blues" by Pitx
ccmixter.org/files/Pitx/27007
TRACK 3: "Blue Devil Plain" by Dan-O
www.danosongs.com
TRACK 4: "Bathroom Blues" by Fireproof_Babies
ccmixter.org/files/Fireproof_B...
TRACK 5: "Autumn Boy" by Dan-O
www.danosongs.com
TRACK 6: "Tidal Circuit" by Dan-O
www.danosongs.com
TRACK 7: "Imagine Magneta" by Dan-O
www.danosongs.com
TRACK 8: "Climb To Elara" by Dan-O
www.danosongs.com

[@Pawoodsman]

Everyone has there own unique environment but I am always memorized by the western mountains the beautiful peaks water features etc. I am so glad you take us on your journeys my friend.

[@job9076]

Just finished doing this trip with my 18 yo son and 16 yo daughter. We had a blast. We even did the Elkhorn for lunch on the way out - delicious. Thank you for putting out this video. We wouldn't have done this trip otherwise.

[@ThreeWheelJourney]

it is so nice to have a chance to sit back and catch up on your videos. Fantastic scenery... thanks so much for the hard work you do

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@SnowLobo95 Thank you SnowLobo! Yeah, Blue Lake is a sweet place to just hang out for the day and enjoy the scenery... and some exciting fishing action too! It was cool and crazy to see snow in July up there but made for a great video/pic backdrop. Glad you enjoyed watching the journey my friend!

[@ManzanoManATVAdventures]

Awesome video and very pretty Colorado high country!!! It looks like you and Terri were having a blast in the back woods. Simply amazing video of wild flowers, catching high country trout, water falls, snow, rain showers, and much more. Gracias mi amigo Crazy Tailez - I always feel as if I were there with you guys on these epic trips!!!!

[@tstockt]

Another amazing video, no surprise. amazing scenery and perfect music. good to see the fish were biting too. keep em coming my friend.

[@outbackoutside]

Thanks for taking us along.....AWESOME !!!! and of course, EPIC !

[@touchnova]

Epic is definitely the word for it! Insane views, fresh trout, Guiness and cigars...now that's how a fella should roll! :) A few years ago I did an 18 mile hike over the 4th of July holiday to a cirque lake just below 11,000 here in MT...was frozen up just like Lake Ann...was total deja vu watching that part of this vid...crazy! :) Many thanks for taking us along bro!

[@Breck225]

Loved the video. I grew up in the Conejos Canyon during the summers and we still have a cabin down at Rocky Mountain Lodge, just above the lodge looking up the Conejos. Been to Blue Lake several times and also to Conejos Falls once. Haven't made it to Lake Ann. Walked or ridden pretty much everywhere from Conejos Falls down to First Meadows at one point or another. God's country, for sure!! And just a nice little gem in Colorado without a whole lot of tourism. Have a great day!!!

[@dafringe]

Appreciate the info. I had my hiking buddy watch your video and he now agrees we should plan our trip with Blue Lake as our first stop. And like you guys, we may even lay over at Blue Lake for a day in order to do some fishing. That just shows how much impact your videos have on other hikers. Thanks, again, for taking the time to respond. I will switch from stills to video on my hiking blog as soon as I get my new PC. Video opens up a whole new world and has a much greater impact on viewers.

[@marknagrodsky]

Great video guys. We enjoyed "tagging along" with you. The music was great too. Loved the fishies.

[@sclemons36]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to create such an awesome video of my most loved area in the world... right below and around timberline. I'm stuck in NC for time indefinite and this gave me a fix badly needed. Your calm narration and how down to earth you both are made watching this so enjoyable. Thank you just doesn't seem enough.

[@yomniclark853]

Thank you for the video. I am newly looking into backpacking and getting outside where life is good! I need as much tips and insight as possible!

[@stevekrewson9502]

Great vid guys! Very beautiful place. Hope to do that hike some day. Thanx for taking us along. Peace out bros.

[@jmyoung62]

Awesome trip! Really enjoyed your video and thanks for sharing. Planning to down 5 or 6 days in this area in June. Watching your video has me looking forward to it even more!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

+Mark Young Awesome! Thanks for watching! I greatly appreciate it! You will really enjoy this area. It's so worth it! Good luck & be safe out there.

[@Adventurestrong]

Beautiful place to hike! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@christophermacdog]

Absolutely amazing video ! I look forward to watching you tackle your next adventure!

[@BillHinson]

Wow great video, thanks fir brings us with you on your hike, awesome water fall

[@astrogypsy]

Lost your channel for a while. Great stuff, and the music choices are sweet. Thanks.

[@rainbowhiker]

That really was spectacular views. I'm always amazed and the diversity of your state. Great looking waterfall. That was loud. Thanks for all the notes on and off trail. This is the way outdoor videos shouold be made. Thanks a lot.

[@cdeetz1]

Awesome Job!! We have visited this area a number of times. I've always wanted to make the trek to Blue Lake and the Falls. But, my team always peters out about the Three Forks area.....WIMPS! Thanks for showing us what we've missed.

[@oat138]

Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@tylerervin892]

great video! I am headed up around the conejos area very soon and this has helped me prepare and I am super excited.

[@toyotacrawler88]

Grate video it made my cold morning a lot better.

[@carpetfarmer]

Great Vid! Will be there in 2 days, can't wait!

[@33Besta]

This time next month we will be doing the same hike! Thanks for the motivation to go! Love the videos.

[@kookiemoose]

Great video, just really enjoyable. Thanks for helping to kill my television, it becomes more and more of a dust collector with every video you post. You certainly have some beautiful country out there to escape into.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@medicjimr I'm glad to share with you and this amazing community of poeple who love the outdoors, my neck of the woods and I'm just as glad to see and enjoy the spectacular northeast woodlands that you share with the community. It's very valuable to me my friend and encourages me to get out there some day and be in and of it.

[@jhamhb]

Always enjoy watching your videos, good stuff. The San Juan looks amazing! Colorado has been on my list for the longest time, but may not get up there for a year or so. This is as close as I will get for now, thanks for sharing!!

[@gravityprone]

AAARRGGG!!! I miss New Mexican food! Epic? You ain't kiddin! Wow. That was a beautiful trip. I'm envious! LOL

[@ManzanoManATVAdventures]

@CrazyTaileZ You don't owe me anything as your life time dedicated friendship has paid time and time again! I sure hope it begins to rain here in N.M. and the fire restrictions are lifted so we can get out and have a camp trip. Again thanks for the videos you continue to post. Very incredible and as touchnova says it....Insane views, fresh trout, Guinness and cigars...now that's how a fella should roll! Take care buddy!!!

[@handyscot1]

Awesome video man. We really enjoyed this one. Take care.

[@captnhuffy]

Lived there, a lifetime ago..... & Loved packing the CO Rockies !!! Could almost re-set my watch by the afternoon rain showers lol Currently limited to the Serra Nevadas, Santa Lucia, SC mtns, & special bits of the Cascades. Liking, Favoring, Subbing Thanks for making & posting !!!!

[@snowyowl44]

Loved this video! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it my friend!

[@eamonbanton5135]

best video i ever seen in my life , i could only ever dream of that , thanks so much for sharing !! please do more ?

[@DrJohn493]

Another great vid of the South San Juans. Still haven't made it to Blue Lake but did mess around for about 3 weeks this summer backpacking the CT west of Leadville/BV. Two thumbs up!

[@JamesBlackburnExperience]

I found your channel by accident and I am really happy I did! Thank you for making these awesome videos, it's almost as good as being there.

[@moxtr]

I haven't hit the trail for a minute but it was great watching your hike.

[@summit2g]

Great Video Man ! Thanks for sharing

[@NatureInspiredSnipsnSnaps]

super video, some great fishing and fab scenery, thanks for your efforts to film the trip, got to see some beautiful area.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thank you very much! I appreciate it! This is one of my absolute favorite places to go backpacking. I've been enjoying your videos a bunch!! Adding you to the Featured list.

[@NatureInspiredSnipsnSnaps]

I can see why, its got so many wonderful nature elements in and around it, Very kind of you for the feature, thank you so much, truly appreciated.

[@bigwhitefishcom]

I have wanted to go down and check out the San Juans for a while. Maybe I'll get down there this season. Excellent video.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching! The more popular area to go to is the "Weminuche Wilderness" and then there is the less traveled "South San Juan Wilderness" which is what you saw in this video. Both are EPIC! Hope you are able to make it down this season!

[@ihikearoundcom]

Well just returned from a few hiking adventures and did not get to see this video, So Col nice! So glad to see you fishing because our next adventure we are heading to the Adirondacks for some fishing (first time in the back counrty) but I have yet to select a pole will look into the ones you were using. Wow I am going to have to show Kim this hike, were hoping to get out there next summer! Sick Video!

[@mikethompson8503]

Great Video, I hope to get the chance to go hiking over there soon!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@kookiemoose Thanks moose! I plug my PC into my television to watch on big screen your epic videos along with everyone else I'm subbed to and I end up getting somthing WAY BETTER than sattelite or cable! ;) South San Juan Wilderness is one of my favorite places to backpack. I had to drive out of state to find a place to backpack that wasn't shut down from forest fire and drought conditions but we have had monsoon rain for the past 3 days so things will reopen soon. Glad you enjoyed it my friend!

[@IntenseAngler]

Epic trip Brother! Everything from some spectacular falls to stunning vistas to some killer Brookie fishing. Gotta say you were killin' me though... sittin' around camp with a fresh caught fish dinner and a cold one... now that's roughing it ;-) Killer shot of Blue lake at sunset too... one of the best views I can imagine seeing. Two thumbs up my Brother!

[@seanclark8138]

Wow i need to get to colorado! I love nature

[@noahalso]

Thanks for the video. I am headed up there August 2016.

[@MARLEYFANcbr]

Absolutely beautiful nature you have up there. Really cool video, very entertaining, and educational. My friend Intenseangler sent me here, I am glad i came by.

[@debistogs]

Beautiful!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@ThreeWheelJourney Thank you Dave! I have become quite the fan of your videos ("addicted" is a better way to describe it) and have really enjoyed watching you tour the USA. Be safe out there and I hope this crazy heat doesn't beat down on you for too much longer. Looking forward to your next video my friend.

[@ianrsigel]

LOVED The Vid...Thank You For Posting. A Few Suggestions; Many, including myself, watch for the vicarious ability to enjoy an outing when we are otherwise unable to get away. 1) Include more campsite activity. 2) A windscreen will improve effectiveness of your propane stove. 3) Shove a couple sticks in the ground next to the fire to hang shoes above ground for more effective drying. 4) Bring pack mules...that will allow you to carry more beer and maybe a couple of hookers...oops!, My Bad!

[@LoneStarBackpacker]

Great videos man!! Got a trip planned to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in OK next month....our first backpacking trip...then off to New Mexico, Colorado...and who knows where next!!

[@22westphotography44]

Thanks for the great video

[@HuckOutdoors]

Awesome Hike! I'd love to do this sometime soon! Might have to make a side trip to Colorado!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching George! I greatly appreciate it! YES! You are spot on! SR-17 to Elk Creek Campground, then turn left (or head West) on FR-250 about 20 miles (I'm only guessing the milage) to Platoro Res. Forest Road 250 is a well maintained graded gravel road.that any passenger car could drive on it and be fine. No 4WD necessary.Three Forks TH is on the southwest side of the res. FR dead ends at the trailhead w plenty of parking. IMO, Blue lake has more to offer than Red lake. Happy Trails!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@wawhiker It's quite the change from 10,000ft to 12,000ft. Timber line in southern CO is about 11,600 ft. Since I live @ 5,000ft, its not diffucult for me to aclimate but I do feel the difference in my breathing when I reach those high points. This trip was action packed and having a layover day made it more enjoyable. Fishing was sweet! Both of us were catching 2 for 2 each cast! Every trail in New Mex. is closed from fire danger so it was great to be in a cooler, safer environment. Thanx Bill!

[@EasternMountainHiker]

Man those were some great views. I wonder if the lake stays frozen all year. Nice video a thumbs up here.

[@lawrencetrujillo65]

Very inspiring. Thank you.

[@jasonspencer991]

Awesome video guys. An the size of them natives, HOLY COW! Curious, is their any elk in that area?

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@tstockt Thank you Brother! I appreciate you watching it. I'll keep cranking em out for you guys as I really enjoy putting these productions together.

[@charleneware6574]

Great video!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@kb9akp Thanks for watching and your great comment! The glacier state that Lake Ann was in is typical in May but a little unusual for July. I guess since most of the northern part of the country had above average snow pack, and southern Colorado had some heavy late spring snow, it makes sense that it would still be in the de-thawing process. It suprised us to say the least. South San Juan Wilderness is a VERY special place and I hope you get the chance to experience it some day my friend.

[@mikelaur3758]

Yep after watching your videos its time to get rid of my heavy tents and look for a tarp system.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@touchnova Thanks for watchin Brother! Looked like a big ol natural solar array @ Lake Ann to best describe it. My friend Terry was laughing hysterically when we got up there (he saw it 1st) and I wondered what he was laughing at. He had his hopes on catchin more fish so when I got to where he was at, I then undertood what the mad laughter was all about! :-D 100% fan of the mole skin too! I gave mine to a friend last BPing trip but forgot to restock my pack again. Man, I wanna BP MT some day!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for your great comment! I appreciate it! Yes, it's the same mountain range as the San Juan Mountains by Silverton but the area you saw on this video is closer to Platoro, CO, South Fork, CO, or Chama, NM.

[@smokingfacepeltoutdoors6636]

cigars are a nice touch

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@ihikearoundcom Thanks Matt! Lots of people go to the Weminuche Wilderness in So Col which is right next to the South San Juan Wilderness but you need a permit to backpack in the Weminuche. I highly recommend coming here to The South San Juan Wilderness for at least 2 nights, 3 days. The fishing everywhere up here (except Lake Ann! :-D) is awesome! I hope you catch some fish and have a great trip in the Adirondacks. The pole i'm using is a collapsible Shakespear pole with a small spin cast reel.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@stefchollet Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@Echosshop]

My fav beer looks like u guys had it rough lol nice video

[@cjjt66]

Great video. Good camera work & editing. Your commentaries were good. I prefer if you did not have music--I like to hear the wind, and water and footsteps. Thanks!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching my friend! Brother John by far is a great friend and an all out great human being. KZbin needs more real people like IntenseAngler!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@timgriz1 Thanks for watching! I appreciate the kind words. The hat is made by "Faded Glory" and it is one of those lightweight squishy or stuffable style sun hats. I've had it for so long that I don't remember where I purchased it from... mabey Walmart or Target? The grill that was used for cooking the fish was actually found nearby our camp while I was out gathering firewood! LUCKY FIND! Found it under a log, sealed in a freezer bag. I think its a toaster oven grill someone had stashed.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Indeed a beautiful place! Thanks for watching!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@rainbowhiker Thank you John. This loop hike was somthing I had planned 2 years ago but inclimate weather shut down those plans. I could hear the waterfall roaring from way up on top of the continential divide and when I looked over, there it was! I thought I would try some "narration" in this video since I usually just overlay music with raw video. I credit you for that as I really enjoy the way you do so in your videos. Thanks for your delightful comment my friend.

[@BlakeRTyler]

Great video, I'm subscribing!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@Pallooka51 Thanks for watching! I was quite impressed with how the time lapse turned out over Blue Lake and I felt very fortunate to have a wonderful sunset to complement it.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Water is abundant in this area. We obtained our water from the creeks along the way up to blue lake and also from Blue Lake itself. The water sources are very clean and even the lake water was very clean and clear. Right now, Rio Grande Natl. Forest is under a stage I fire restriction which means you can only use your backpacking camp stove but you will not be able to make a campfire. :( I don't think there will be any snow up at Blue Lake right now but you might find snow above 12,000 ft.

[@MrMikepaniora]

this mike great video iam moving to new mexico hurley in 4 years

[@LoneStarBackpacker]

Just finished 6 days at Blue Lake...there are 2 bull moose that have taken up residence on the island and saw one about a mile out from the trailhead!! Fishing wasn't as good as it was 3 years ago. People were keeping Brook Trout that were under 8"...also, if you're going by the Elkhorn Cafe, make sure you're there before 3pm...they are closing early because they are short staffed.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Wow! I bet it was a fantastic experience seeing the moose hanging out on the island! I'm glad to know they are up in that area. I appreciate the heads up on the Elkhorn Cafe. It's a bummer that they close so early but I also know that Chama has been going through some tuff economic times recently. Thank you for posting this! I'm looking forward to going back to Blue Lake!

[@lustingforminervaandgela3596]

best video on youtube , thanks

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thank you for watching and for your wonderful comment Brother! I greatly appreciate it. When I first started posting KZbin videos, I never would have guessed that so many people out there would enjoy these videos and over the last 3+ years, I have received all kinds of awesome comments and fan support and it persuades me to crank more of these videos out. I love the high country and high altitude backpacking and there is plenty of it here in the Southwest. Stay tuned for more great videos!

[@gusmachicado5706]

ha ha you used lures. i asked before getting the 411 on the video.. my bad, good job, great vid, tis tasty!!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@hikinginva Congratulations on the 60 lbs of weight loss! Thats awesome! Keep up the good work there my friend. Yeah, this has been one of those memorible backpacking trips that I will remember for the rest of my life. I think I will make it a tradition to hike/backpack/fish here in the South San Juan Wilderness each year. Thanks for watching!

[@mightiflier5813]

You have so much to share since you guys are good campers. Since you are serious, you just have to get an HD camcorder with a built in gyro to control the bounce. The bumping around made it hard to watch, you could make such a great video if you lose the cell phone and take something that will do the job.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching! Sorry to get back to you so late. This loop hike is not that hard and the 7 hours that we spent hiking was the CDT section of the loop hike. It took us 7 hours because of the snow drifts that we were hiking thru and we did not have snow shoes. (Post holing is no fun and makes for a SLOW hike). We averaged about 5 miles a day. July will be a prime month for this loop hike and you probably won't have to deal with snow drifts. Starting point is on the outskirts of...

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@intenseangler Thanks Brother! I was thinking about you when we were pulling out thos brookies. I have not caught trout like that since I was a kid with my grandfather. One of those lucky days where the fish just kept banging on every cast. (finally got more T-shirts... I'm mailing you off one this week.) Yeah, "roughin it"! hahahaa! I wasn't going to carry those tall boys any further up the trail even if we didn't catch fish. They were heavy just worth the effort to bring them.

[@bridgerdaniel5003]

I went the first week of June, 2019. We could only make it 3 miles in before the snow was too high to travel through

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching and for subscribing to my channel! I greatly appreciate it! Yeah, this has to be one of my favorite places of all time. My 1st trip to the South San Juan Wilderness was an epic hike up to Conejos Peak @ 13,172 ft in elevation. watch?v=En50GLk8VsM I enjoyed it so much, I had to come back again.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching! The backpack that I use for multi day trip is the Kelty Coyote 80. The hip belt can slide up or down to customize to your torso size. I've had it for a couple years now and I really like it!

[@HookandArrow]

Cool Video Did you see any elk on your trip or any other deer than the one you took a pic of?

[@chrisdi29]

Hey these are some truly awesome videos. Me and my buddy have been going on camping trips for awhile but we are just now entering the world of backpacking. I was curious if you had a map or trail points you used that we could have for this trip. We have been to Lincoln national forest in August and this looks like just up our alley.

[@strokerace4256]

Came across your video. I have been wanting to venture out of the campground and go on a hike to challenge myself. Hopefully with some build up of leg strength I'll be ready next spring. Do you carry anything incase of a bear?

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

I typically carry the "Counter Assault" bear spray with me. I've never had to use it thankfully, but it gives me a piece of mind having it just in case. All of my bear encounters in the wild have been VERY quick and brief, usually with the bear running away faster than I can get a glimpse of it.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thanks for watching my friend! This particular trip we did not see any elk but my first trip up there, we saw a herd of about 20+ elk! watch?v=En50GLk8VsM.

[@timgriz1]

thanks for the great video! it was a great video with great footage. But could you tell me what kind of hat you were wearing in this video? And also what kind of grill stand that you used to cook the fish? Again a great video! hope to hear from you soon. Thanks!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

We had talked with some locals in Platoro while we were purchasing our fishing licenses and one of the locals had talked about frequent black bear encounters within the local town area. I'm guessing the black bears are in search of a quick meal out of a trash can or dumpster. We, however, did not see any black bears (or brown bears for that matter) during this trip or the previous trip that we had taken 2 years prior to this trip. We ALWAYS bear bag our food every night though just in case.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

@monzanoman Da nada mi amigo! I owe you for helping me get this posted to the internet. This entire trip was all about the timing and man did I luck out! If I had gone earlier, there would have been too much snow to safely travel the trails and too much water to ford across in the stream sections... if I had waited too long, the monsoon rains would have brought dangerous lighting above the timber line and we would have spent too many hours in rain gear or hunkerd unter a tarp. Thank you again!

[@shcmoly]

God bless Colorado !!!

[@MandRroofing]

Very Nice overview of the trail man! Did you guys run into any elk out there?

[@Slynne21]

Awesome video! Any way I could talk you into recommending something anywhere in Southern Colorado, around 25-35 miles, amazing views, fishing, and preferably unpopulated? I'd be so stoked for any help, planned a big trip I'm leaving for today in Wind Rivers but the weather is looking kind of crappy, trying to last-minute switch to something a little more friendly weather-wise.

[@partrobot]

Fantasimo!