Jeep Trail Reports

Mineral Creek

Mineral Creek
San Juans

by Sarah Jacobs | August 4th, 2007 | Rated: Blue | Colorado

With a newly rented jeep in our possession, we followed the Uncompagre River along Mineral Creek Trail, part of the Alpine Loop. The trail was easy by our standards, even in the stock Rubicon, and very scenic. Geotags

There were plenty of wildflowers to see and more remnants of snow. The clouds were still hanging around waiting to dump some cold rain on us. There were quite a few small waterfalls, some crossing the trail. The shady spots held snow from last winter. Wildflowers lined the trail and the slopes between fuzzy green tundra grass. We even saw some real-life miners returning to their truck.

We turned off of the Alpine Loop at Poughkeepsie Gulch.

Mineral Creek — Kelsie at the Alpine Loop sign

Wildflowers & The River — Part of the Alpine Loop

Old Mining Ruins — Part of the Alpine Loop

Real-Life Miners? — We didn’t ask, but these guys looked legit.

Mineral Creek Trail — Part of the Alpine Loop

The River Follows the Trail — Part of the Alpine Loop

Mineral Creek Ledges — Although it looks like there’s alot of room, it sure doesn’t feel like it!

Mountains Folding Into Each Other — Part of the Alpine Loop

Ophir Pass

Poughkeepsie Gulch