Pine River Loop Backpack – Near Durango, CO

[hikeaz]

PINE RIVER LOOP BACKPACK – Near Durango, CO.
When:
Saturday, September 5, 2009 7:00 AM
RSVP until Tuesday, August 25, 2009 7:00 PM
Details: PINE RIVER LOOP BACKPACK – Near Durango, CO
Duration: Thurs – Mon, Sept 3 – 7 (Labor Day W/E)
Leader: Dave Simon david.simon@cox.net
Length: 43 mile loop
Phone: 480-220-8419
Rating: Strenuous Alpine B/P
Elev. Change: 4000’

Meeting time TBD, please contact Dave by phone or email to RSVP for this 5 day backpack

The Pine River Trail begins through a private gate next to Granite Peaks Ranch. Aspens, ponderosa pines, and conifers are in abundance along the trail as you follow the Pine (or Piños) River north. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, and the turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). The trail continues to ascend, sometimes gradually and sometimes moderately, toward Emerald Lake (mile 10), and continues more steeply to Moon Lake and a spectacular view of Mount Oso at mile 14. Past Emerald Lake there are creek crossings, be prepared as the trail may be muddy as we climb the Lake Creek drainage. The trail forks at mile 19.3 and you continue on the Rock Creek Trail to the north, heading right to continue the loop. We will be hiking steep switchbacks, high tundra, and level terrain as we head down the Flint Creek Trail #527, past Flint Lake, toward the junction with the Pine River Trail #523. Water will be available on the trail, plan on filtering. As with all high-altitude areas, storms can move in rapidly, bringing severe wind, lightning, rain, snow, or hail, please plan accordingly.

The fishing along this loop is world-class - bring your gear!

[big_load]

This is a nice trip. The alpine lakes at the upper end of Flint Creek Trail are gorgeous, and there are some nice waterfalls along the Pine River. There are supposedly no moose in the area, but I saw a good amount of moose scat along the way.

[drewboy]

A very nice area, I can't get enough of it. We backpacked along most of this route last summer. I'll have to do some work to see if I can get the additional time off. I'll be backpacking in the S. San Juan Wilderness the last week of July. How many days/nights were you planning to spend on the trail?

[hikeaz]

Last Call for this trip -

We are finalizing the carpooling, etc. Please contact Dave (info in the original post) if you are committed. Dave has elected to stop at Chaco on the return trip for a one day whirlwind tour. If you are driving yourself, you need not do this side-trip, although I would recommend it.
So, the itinerary is:
9/3, drive to trailhead leaving early AM.
9/4, backpack up Pine River to Flint Creek.
9/5, up Flint Creek to Flint Lake.
9/6, to Rock Lake, or over pass to Moon Lake.
9/7 to Emerald Lake. (These are very easy days for enjoying the scenery, fishing, exploring).
(The easiest walking of the trip is from Emerald Lake out.)
9/8 return to trailhead, shower and head for Chaco. (It's a hundred miles or so.)
9/9, explore Chaco, head for home.
We can be at Emerald Lake on 9/6 and out 9/7 and cut out the lazy middle. That would give us two nights and a full day at Chaco, if it pleases us.

[BobP]

Is anyone just doing the Sept 3-7 part?

I can't do the extra two days.. wish I could.

[drewboy]

I can't find enough vacation days for this trip. Bummer. Have a great time guys.

[hikeaz]

Is anyone just doing the Sept 3-7 part?

I can't do the extra two days.. wish I could.

I can't find enough vacation days for this trip. Bummer. Have a great time guys.

Maybe you two could do an abbreviated version.....?

[drewboy]

I still don't think I can swing even the shorter trip guys. Had some family events come up that clobbered me.

Maybe you two could do an abbreviated version.....?

[pickelltree]

i am intrested in this area, never been. i would not be able to leave on thursday morning, so if i was to drive up there would there be a spot that i could meet up with you and hike till monday?

[hikeaz]

i am intrested in this area, never been. i would not be able to leave on thursday morning, so if i was to drive up there would there be a spot that i could meet up with you and hike till monday?

Those would be questions for Dave, the hike leader. Please let him know that Kurt told you about the trip and that you saw it on hikearizona. There are at least 4 of us going at this point.