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
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
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
Exit
Hike up to the road and the parked car opposite where Crater Creek intersects Lime Creek.
Red tape
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
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