| Located about 10 miles south of Telluride in | | | | closest to Fuller Peak. I thought they might be from |
| Colorado's San Juan Range, Vermillion Peak at 13,894 | | | | the mountain climber that passed me earlier. He was |
| feet is the highest peak in San Juan County. One of | | | | nowhere in sight, though. |
| the best views of it and its rugged neighboring peaks | | | | The saddle itself had a huge lip of snow at the top. |
| is looking east from Colorado State Route 145 at | | | | From where I was standing, the snow slope looked |
| Lizard Head Pass near Trout Lake. Vermillion Peak is | | | | steep and imposing. I took a few tentative steps |
| beautiful, and is named for its rosy red rocks. | | | | onto it and it was easier to traverse than it looked, |
| The route I took was the Ice Lake Basin Approach, | | | | so I decided to continue. The only difficulty I had |
| which is the main eastern approach. It starts at the | | | | was near the top of the snow. I kept breaking |
| South Mineral Creek Trailhead. From U.S. Route 550 | | | | through up to my thighs. I would step, break through, |
| about 2 miles west of Silverton, take South Mineral | | | | get out, stand there huffing and puffing, and take |
| Creek Road (FR 585) west about 4 miles to South | | | | another step. |
| Mineral Creek Campground. The parking area for the | | | | Just when I reached the top of the snow below the |
| trailhead is across from the campground. There are | | | | saddle and thought my troubles were over, I hit the |
| places to camp along the road, and I usually camp in | | | | loose rock, or scree. I would struggle to get a grip |
| an area just after you turn off of U.S. 550. It is a | | | | and slide again and again. Relieved to get to the |
| large, flat area you cannot miss, and there are usually | | | | saddle, I walked over to Fuller Peak and sat down to |
| other campers. There are basic public toilet facilities. | | | | enjoy the unbelievable view and have a bite to eat. |
| The trail leaves the South Mineral Creek Campground | | | | There was the mountain climber way over on the |
| parking area from the west side. The round-trip | | | | summit of Vermillion Peak standing with his arms in |
| distance is 10.2 miles and climbs 4,074 feet starting | | | | the air! |
| from 9,820 feet at the trailhead. The first mile | | | | I headed northwest along the trail to the left of the |
| crosses Clear Creek and enters switchbacks up to | | | | ridge and avoided the towers. I got over to Vermillion |
| 10,400 feet before climbing into Lower Ice Lake | | | | and figured out how to climb the rest of the way to |
| Basin. | | | | the summit. It has been described as an airy perch. I |
| I arrived at the trailhead just before sunrise so I | | | | would say that is a good description. But, it was not |
| could reach the summit and be well on my way | | | | difficult for me. I signed the logbook and enjoyed the |
| down by the time the summer thunderstorms rolled | | | | view for a few minutes. But, storm clouds were |
| in around noon. | | | | forming in the distance. As I was preparing to leave, |
| I had been exercising in preparation for this trip, but I | | | | I saw the mountain climber standing over on the top |
| live at much lower altitude and it is a little bit | | | | of Golden Horn! |
| challenging for me to hike at these altitudes. On the | | | | There was a gap big enough for a person between |
| way up the switchbacks, I was trying to walk at a | | | | the snow lip on the saddle and one of the towers. I |
| pace slow enough to breath hard, but not be | | | | noticed tracks below it in the snow and figured that |
| completely out of breath. I kept noticing little red | | | | was the route the mountain climber took, so I |
| flags stuck in the ground beside the trail. I finally got | | | | started down. Actually, the climb down through the |
| down and read one of the tags and to my | | | | snow was quite easy. I kept my eye on my |
| astonishment they were trail markers for the | | | | destination in the distance near Ice Lake so as not to |
| Hardrock 100 Endurance Run that was taking place | | | | work myself into a place I would have difficulty |
| that week. That really put it in perspective for me. | | | | climbing out of. I was also very cautious about not |
| Those people were running on this trail! | | | | getting caught out on a frozen overhang over one of |
| The trail flattens out for a little less than a mile as | | | | the lakes. I decided to work my way back up to the |
| you gently ascend across Lower Ice Lake Basin. This | | | | Southeast Ridge and avoid the lakes altogether. |
| is a popular camping spot for backpackers and is | | | | I made it almost to the tree line at the edge of |
| beautiful in July with lush green vegetation and | | | | Lower Ice Lake Basin when the storm hit. And what |
| flowers. I saw a couple of tents down by the | | | | a storm! Unbelievable thunder and lightning. Before the |
| stream. | | | | downpour started, I put on my Gore-Tex jacket, but |
| At the west side of Lower Ice Lake Basin, the trail | | | | decided I wanted to try hiking without the rain pants. |
| climbs up more switchbacks to Ice Lake Basin. The | | | | That was not a good idea. When it started raining, |
| eastern edge of Ice Lake is about 12,280 feet. While | | | | my hiking pants were soaked in seconds and I got |
| on that last set of switchbacks, the only other hiker | | | | cold. I was also concerned that Clear Creek might be |
| I saw on the trail that day came blowing past me like | | | | flooded blocking my route back to the parking lot. It |
| I was standing still. From the type of pack he was | | | | was not flooded and I got to the lot and in the van |
| carrying, he appeared to be a mountain climber. | | | | to warm up. |
| From Ice Lake, there are several choices of routes. I | | | | It was a great hike and an accomplishment. I highly |
| planned to take the Southeast Ridge Classic, which is | | | | recommend it if you are prepared for a slightly |
| the standard and easiest route. When I got to the | | | | strenuous, but reasonable hike. Keep in mind that |
| edge of the snow on the slope between Vermillion | | | | what you and I call strenuous may mean entirely |
| and Fuller Peak, I noticed fresh tracks across the | | | | different things to each of us, and remember to |
| snow covered slope up to the side of the saddle | | | | treat Vermillion Peak with respect. |