Colorado 2023 - 6 Days, 5 Nights Solo in the San Juan's Weminuche Wilderness in Late September

[@sleepyheadoutdoors9346]

I rarely comment on others videos...but had to on this one. I've been fortunate enough to have hiked a bit of what you hiked those 6 beautiful days. You made a very profound statement near the end. I go out to Colorado almost once a year because my friend (who has completed the centennial) made the same statement. "This is to be shared." Exactly spot on! I do a lot of solo hiking, but there is nothing more satisfying than having someone along to share it all with. Thanks for the vid!

[@BlakeCoble]

Thanks for watching and for the very kind words. I do enjoy hiking solo. It’s a great time for self reflection. But we humans are social creatures, and when I see something as beautiful as the San Juans, I just want to grab someone and say “Wow! Looked at that!”. 😁

[@howardgreenwood2120]

Should of hit the sack along time ago. But, I couldnt stop watching your adventure. Hoping to do something similar in the this area soon (2025). Thanks for sharing

[@BlakeCoble]

@@howardgreenwood2120 almost like a train wreck. 🤣🤣🤣 glad it held your attention. You’ll love the area. I would go back in a heartbeat! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@getyourgnarlon]

Great images, very happy you are easily distracted!

[@BlakeCoble]

Appreciate that, and thanks for watching! 😊

[@ervinslens]

So beautiful! Really makes you want to get out there and into the outdoors.

[@BlakeCoble]

Do it! It’s good for the soul. 😊

[@ericcomp7032]

Excellent video! What a journey. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@BlakeCoble]

Thank you and Happy New Year!

[@MountainHobbler]

I have been looking at doing this exact route for a few years now, thanks for sharing.

[@BlakeCoble]

Absolutely! Get out there and do it. It’s a beautiful route.

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Wow!! Fantastic views. Great job on the video. Thank you for sharing.

[@BlakeCoble]

Appreciate it. Thanks for watching.

[@adventuresfound7797]

Excellent production! Those fantastic still shots that closed the curtain are quite beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[@BlakeCoble]

Thank you and thanks for watching! 😊

[@Blazefireplugs]

Blake this video inspired me! Incredible! The pictures at the end were stunning. Thank you for capturing it all.

[@BlakeCoble]

I appreciate the kind words. Thank you and thanks for watching!! 😊

[@Contraryian]

ive done 21 miles of this hike and this is so gorgeous, one of the best places in america.

[@BlakeCoble]

Was definitely one of my favorite trips. Thanks for watching. 😄

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

Love the Weminuche wilderness!! And you sir captured a beautiful hike!!! You might find this as a surprise, but , my son and I left the Johnson creek/Vallecito campsite on the morning of Sep 26th. We were there the same night that you were. I was unable to make it to columbine pass the previous day ( wasn’t feeling well). Loved the video !!! Great job! 👍

[@BlakeCoble]

Thank you! What a trip!! Were you the one in the tarp?

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

@@BlakeCoble yes ! Green tarp tent. We saw another hiker just less than 100 yards from us probably closer. From the view in your video I’m guessing that was you? Would’ve messed w your solitude a bit , but sure would have been cool to have met you. We too had a late start waiting for stuff to dry up before we hiked out to the trailhead. Doesn’t seem to matter where you camp or what you do…. The tent is always either wet or frosted in the morning .

[@BlakeCoble]

That’s so funny. Small world!

[@Starfish2145]

I love that train

[@BlakeCoble]

Yep, it’s a beautiful ride.

[@mmlips]

Man that makes me miss backpacking soooooo bad! Really beautiful. Thanks Blake.

[@BlakeCoble]

Thanks Mark. I’m very fortunate that my wife enjoys it as much as I do. We backpack together a lot. Unfortunately she couldn’t make this trip so it turned into my first solo multi night trip. Absolutely loved it!

[@mmlips]

@@BlakeCoble I could NEVER get my wife to go even if I could! HA HA

[@BlakeCoble]

@@mmlips definitely not everyone’s cup of tea! LOL.

[@cool4fam99]

great views....u sure know your way around up there. i tip my hat to you!

[@BlakeCoble]

Appreciate that, thank you. So much more up there that I want to explore.

[@Grandpa_Boxer]

Doesn't get any better than Colorado's San Juans!! Thx for sharing your trip!! What do you carry for "bear protection?"

[@BlakeCoble]

My good looks!! 😂😂😂 Thanks for watching. And yes, the San Juans are incredible. I don’t really feel the need to carry anything when I’m in black bear country. Now if I went into grizzly country that would be another story!!

[@Grandpa_Boxer]

Love reply!!! @@BlakeCoble

[@richardthornton7518]

Did a 17 day solo in the Weminuche in 1991. Off Narrow Gage rail at elk creek. Climb out of Elk Creek up to continental divide trail is the way of the cross with a full pack!! Went back to Ute Lakes area. Got lots of rain to exit with so it wasn’t all glory!! Never looked at a map as did the route 3 times with olde mountain buddy!! Good memories.

[@richardthornton7518]

Around Sept 15 weather starts to get crazy with heavy rain and snow possible!! Did my solo ending in mid sept.

[@BlakeCoble]

@@richardthornton7518 that sounds like a great adventure! Thanks for watching. 😀

[@chrishayle1]

I love the san juans ! Probably my favorite area in colorado. I would love to do some hiking up there . We normally ride our atvs on the alpine loop or owl creek pass over in ridgeway over to cimarron . Its a really beautiful area too and we always see alot of wildlife over there

[@BlakeCoble]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I can’t wait to go back. Would love to spend a week overlanding the area too. 😊

[@benfrihauf2273]

Great video. Those red fruits are rose hips.

[@BlakeCoble]

@@benfrihauf2273 thanks for watching and thanks for the info. Much appreciated! 😊

[@DJMoore-001]

This was really awesome, Normally we are getting ready for Elk season and don't get up there in the fall.Seeing all the colors was really nice. Hell of a job making this video.

[@BlakeCoble]

Appreciate that and thanks for watching! 😊

[@grantskidmore6921]

Lovely video I’m sure it was a fun mental relief

[@BlakeCoble]

@@grantskidmore6921 Thank you. Yes, there is nothing better for the soul!

[@christopherlaingen4701]

Hi Blake - Great vid! We spent a two nights in the Weminuche north of Pagosa Springs last summer. Where were your entry/exit points on this trip? Trying to figure out a hike for this coming summer. Thanks!

[@BlakeCoble]

Thank you. It’s a beautiful area. My entry point was where the Colorado Trail crosses the 550 (just north of Molas Pass). My exit point was the Purgatory Trailhead off the 550. It’s basically the same route that most people do when they take the Silverton/Durango train with added miles on both ends. The route was just a hair longer than 56 miles.

[@SouEuIAm]

I see that the pine beetles are starting to decimate the forests in Colorado as well.

[@BlakeCoble]

As far as I know, it’s been like that for a while.

[@EmilyWalson-v4r]

How was getting water on this adventure?

[@BlakeCoble]

@@EmilyWalson-v4r no problem even in late September. Water everywhere. Only carried 1 liter. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@jmash41]

What trailhead did you start on and finish? Beautiful trip! Thanks for sharing!

[@BlakeCoble]

Hey, thanks for watching! I started where the CT (Colorado Trail) crosses route 550 by Molas Pass. My exit point was the Purgatory Flats trailhead.

[@jmash41]

@@BlakeCoble I watched your video earlier and am at this moment showing my son. We are planning a backpacking trip to Colorado in late July. We are amazed at the beauty! Thanks for the info!

[@BlakeCoble]

@@jmash41 Enjoy the planning and happy trails!! Look out for those monsoons in July. That was one thing I didn’t have to worry too much about in September. But the flowers will be popping for you! 😃

[@BurgessFamilyRanch]

@BlakeCoble Can you please tell me where you started or the trailhead? I'm going to the same hike in September. Thanks!

[@BlakeCoble]

@@BurgessFamilyRanch Thanks for watching. I started where the CT crosses the 550 at Molas Pass. You could also start at Molas Lake that is right there. Have a great trip!

[@BurgessFamilyRanch]

@@BlakeCoble thanks!

[@Starfish2145]

Can you post a map showing your route?

[@BlakeCoble]

Here’s a link to the route. www.gaiagps.com/public/YDrgjBEjvfFaLWLJm6x6xEbu

[@Starfish2145]

I’ve seen hikers get off at Cascade

[@shelbyowens4763]

Everything is wet becuase of at best a 2 season cheap tent. The extra 2 to 3 lbs is worh takeing a real Tent

[@BlakeCoble]

LOL. Last I checked, Six Moon Designs makes “real” tents. And in those conditions, even a double walled tent would have frosted over. 😉

[@BlakeCoble]

BTW… Thanks for watching! 😁

[@shelbyowens4763]

@@BlakeCoble I've packed the area before. Great Fishing. If I'm going above timberline I always bring my 4 season tent. 6lbs no big deal.

[@shelbyowens4763]

@@BlakeCoble FYI I've had zero problems with my North Face 25 with excessive condensation.... Being Colorado native. It gets used a lot in high alpine areas

[@BlakeCoble]

@@shelbyowens4763 Nice. Glad it works for you. Me being mostly a SoCal and Sierra hiker, I don’t have the need for a true 4 season tent. I would love to get into some serious winter backpacking, but until then I can deal with a night or two of frost/condensation. Happy trails! 😀🏔️🏕️