Pieplant Creek
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| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Pieplant |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 1 |
FR 742.3D |
4.30 |
9,522 to 10,280 ft. |
NA |
1-2 hours |
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| County: |
Gunnison |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison National Forest
Gunnison Ranger District |
216 N. Colorado
Gunnison, CO 81230 |
970-641-0471 |
| Summary: |
Pieplant Creek is an easy 4WD road that follows Pieplant Creek to the townsite of Pieplant and the Pieplant Mine. |
| Attractions: |
Mine, History |
Seasonal
Closure: |
Natural - Closed by heavy snows. |
| Best Time: |
June - May still be snow drifts in the trees
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Early in the month |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
Timberline Trail, FT414 - Hiking, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Motorcycle, ATV |
| Camping: |
There are a few dispersed camp sites along the lower section of the road. |
| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp and explore the roads around Taylor Park. |
| Fall Colors: |
Very Good - The middle section of the road runs through aspen groves. |
| Navigation: |
From Almont, CO. head southeast on County Rd 742 toward Endner Lane. Go 29.4 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 742.3D, the Pieplant Creek 4WD road.
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| History: |
The town of Pieplant, founded by James Jenkins and John Lynch, grew around the mining that took place above Pieplant Creek. The town was established in 1880 and lasted until 1908. The town name most likely came from the rhubarb which grew in the area. Ore was brought to the mill by burro train. During it's most properous period, the mill had a capacity of 200 tons and employed 50 to 60 men. As with all the mines in the upper Taylor Park, the veins turned thin and transportation costs exceeded profits, shuttering the mill. The one standing cabin here was converted to a garage for an old-time automobile, perhaps in the 1940s. In 2006, the Forest Service and Passport in Time re-roofed it to preserve the ruin for visitors to see.
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| Description: |
The Pieplant Creek 4WD road starts off of FR742, north of the Taylor Park Reservoir. The road will cross a large open area as it heads north toward the forest. Just before entering the forest there will be a spur road to the right, FR742.D2, which goes past a few camp sites and ends within a quarter mile at Pieplant Creek. The main road will continue into the trees working its way over to Pieplant Creek as well
You will now follow the creek for over a mile. You will pass throug one gate just before coming to a muddy section in an open area. Just past this muddy section you will reach the town site of Pieplant. There are remains of log cabins, and one restored log cabin. There is also a trail head for the Timberline Trail. Around the other side of the town site meadow are the remains of the Pieplant Mine Mill.
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Pieplant mill foundation
photo by:
Adam M |
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Pieplant mill foundation
photo by:
Adam M |
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Pieplant town site
photo by:
Adam M |
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Pieplant mill foundation
photo by:
Adam M |
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Data updated - November 24, 2017
4WD Road driven - September 5, 2017
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