Crater Creek
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| | Raps:7-9, max ↨135ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 25 min Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Gneiss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | July-Oct
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37.6888, -107.7340
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Introduction[edit]
A dirt road accessed tributary of Lime Creek in an aspen forest to an generally open descent with few narrow sections including deep pools.
Approach[edit]
without car shuttle:
Driving: South on Hwy 550 (aka the Million Dollar Highway) from Silverton, CO. Turn Left on Lime Creek Rd, (aka Co Rd 1 = Forest Road 591). Park across from where Crater Creek enters Lime Creek.
Hiking: A short two-track departs the road heading down to Lime Creek. This makes a good start to the approach. Make your way down a steep gully to Lime Creek, cross it, and proceed upstream in Crater Creek.
Seek a talus slope on the north side (rappeller’s left) to gain higher ground and the bushwhack approach through an aspen forest. (Note: the most confident climber may wish to drop a rope for other group members while they stay carefully out of the way to dodge loose rocks.
Continue up the hillside to the top of a side drainage avoiding a large blowout near the drop in.
Drop in at [N 37deg 41’20.5” W 107deg 44’03.8”]
with car shuttle:
Driving: Stash the lower vehicle in the above location and then drive back to the Andrews Lake Trailhead to start your hike.
Hiking: Follow the trail to Crater Lake and stream walk until the rappels begin or find a quicker descent path down a gulch, cutting off some mileage to the lake.
Descent[edit]
Exit[edit]
Hike up to the road and the parked car opposite where Crater Creek intersects Lime Creek.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
The following videos on YouTube contain scenes from Crater Creek:
Ouray Canyoning Highlights 2013
- With Soundtrack: http://youtu.be/pn2v8Myhx_Y
- Without Soundtrack: http://youtu.be/j8L_AF8Qzu0