Wearyman Creek  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Red Cliff, Pando |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Moderate 5 |
FR 747 |
5.50 |
9,044 to 11,769 ft. |
Creek Crossing - Many |
3-4 hours |
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| County: |
Eagle |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
White River National Forest,
Holy Cross Ranger District |
24747 US Hwy 24 (P.O. Box 190)
Minturn, Colorado 81645 |
(970)827-5715 |
| Summary: |
Wearyman Creek 4WD road follows Wearyman Creek to it headwaters and then continues up to Ptarmigan Pass.
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| Attractions: |
Scenic, Creek Crossings
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Seasonal
Closure: |
Agency - Nov 16 to May 30
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| Best Time: |
June - May still be snowed in
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Early snows possible
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Trail Heads
Accessed: |
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| Camping: |
Unknown
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| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp. Other roads in the area are Holy Cross City FR759, Shrine Pass FR709, Lime Creek FR728, McAllister Gulch FR708, and No Name FR705.
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| Fall Colors: |
????
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| Navigation: |
From Vail, CO. head west on I-70 for 4.8 miles. Take exit 171 for US-6/US-24 toward Minturn/Leadville for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto US-24 E/US-6 E (signs for Minturn/Red Cliff)
Continue to follow US-24 for 10.2 miles. Turn left onto High Road and go 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Turkey Creek Road and go 2.5 miles. Turn right and cross the bridge to start Wearyman Creek 4WD road.
From Leadville, CO. head north on Harrison Ave toward East 9th Street for 141 feet. Turn right onto East 9th Street and go 0.1 miles. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto US-24 W/Poplar Street and go 1.0 mile. Take a slight left onto US-24 W and go 21.1 miles. Turn right onto High Road and go 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Turkey Creek Road and go 2.5 miles. Turn right and cross the bridge to start Wearyman Creek 4WD road.
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| History: |
Access up Wearyman Creek was for lumber. Sawmills operated along the creek during the late 1890s to supply the mines and ranches with lumber. There are old logging roads from the mid 1900 on the north side of Resolution Mountain the south of Wearyman Creek.
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| Description: |
From the west end of Wearyman Creek where it ties into Turkey Creek you will leave the Shrine Pass road by taking a right turn across a short bridge. From here the Wearyman Creek road is a challenge as it follows the creek. In 2014, one year after the 2013 floods, many sections of the road along the creek had been washed away. There are boulders and rocks that make up the road now with only a few sections that still contain the fill material of the old road. Some sections have the creek running down the road as it has moved from its original course. After about a half mile you will pass the right turn for the McAllister Gulch, FR708, 4WD road. Continue following the creek to stay on the Wearyman Creek road.
From this point east to Ptarmigan Pass I had driven the road in July of 2002 and its condition has probably changed since the 2013 flood.
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Creek Crossing near McAllister Gulch 4WD road. (2002)
photo by:
Adam M |
The road along the lower section of Wearyman Creek runs along the creek edge through the forest. There are no real views as you climb toward the pass.
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Road heading down from Ptarmigan Pass.
photo by:
Adam M |
The road will finally climb abover the creek and cross open alpine meadows before reaching Ptarmigan Pass.
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Fox in one of the many meadows.
photo by:
Adam M |
In the wetter areas along the creek you will find small meadows. Keep an eye out for wildlife.
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Data updated - March 18, 2015
4WD Road driven - July, 2002
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