Besides enjoying the wonderful fall colors, I started out this day looking forward to seeing the "crown jewel" of these mountains - the second largest natural lake in Colorado, Trappers Lake. Known as the "Cradle of the Wilderness," it had been one of the first areas in America designated a Wilderness Area.
As such, no motor boats are allowed on its waters. Foot traffic around the lake and canoes only on the water!
Looking north to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area.
Lead Photos: The beautiful Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway in Colorado
(Click on any image in this post, in PeakD, for anLittle did I know that the visit would be marred by the remnants of the Big Fish Fire ... 😞
Before taking a closer look, this is a map of the area:
Source: Highlighted Google map of area covered in this post
Here is a brief look at each of the highlight points illustrated above, with links to more information, if you are interested in learning more about it:
- Dunklee Pass - Elevation 9,783 ft (2,982 m)
- Ripple Creek Pass - Elevation 10,360 ft (3,158 m)
- Trappers Lake - Elevation 9,600 ft (2,926 m)
- Buford, established in 1889, serves as the entrance to White River canyon
Let's be on our way! 😎
Dunklee Pass
Climbing up to this very fine vantage point was a great start to this memorable day. My being here at the height of the change of colors was intentional.
I was not disappointed!
Leaving Yampa, we crossed the pretty North Hunt Creek, before beginning the climb into the high country
Beginning the climb up Dunklee Pass, I was pleased to find some red out there in the changing colors!
Very nice gravel road to the summit, easily traveled by car ... Except for bane of these roads - washboarding!
Panoramic view from the summit, with Pyramid Peak in the background
Photos: Views on climb to summit of Dunklee Pass
This "roller coaster ride" day started with climbing to the summit of this first pass. It was very enjoyable, on the way, to pass through the Aspen Belt. I cannot imagine I will ever tire of it.
Ripple Creek Pass
Upon crossing the ridge at Dunklee Pass, you descend steeply down into the East Fork of the Williams Fork of the beautiful Yampa River. The Yampa is famous as a recreational paradise for rafting enthusiasts.
- Click on the link provided, dear reader, and you will be instantly rewarded with a stunning view of the Yampa ...
Its headwaters flow down out of these same Flat Top Mountains, except on the eastern side. We are going down the western side.
Beginning the ascent to the Ripple Creek Pass summit, found a hardy specimen living way out here!
Vaughn Lake
Poose Creek below Vaughn Lake
Scenic view of the Flat Tops. Truly flat! Very unusual in the Rocky Mountains.
Photos: Views climbing to the summit of Ripple Creek Pass
As nice as the views were, from the summit of Dunklee Pass, the views from this summit were even better!
From the summit, as shown above, there is a great view of the Flat Tops, home to the second largest wilderness area in Colorado.
Source: Flat Tops Wilderness post on Wild Trekking's website.
Trappers Lake
The story of one man's role, in preserving this area for all posterity, is not to be missed by anyone who appreciates the majesty and splendor of ... "the Great Outdoors." His name is Arthur Carhart. A landscape architect employed by the U. S. Forest Service, he was sent into the Trappers Lake basin to create plans for developing it.
Upon arriving, it made such an impression on him, that is not what happened! Instead, he is credited with part of inspiring a national movement which ultimately led to the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
Trappers Lake, inside the Flat Tops Wilderness, is protected by one of them.
These words are simple ...
Leave it as it is.
You can not improve on it.
... but remarkably powerful. I cannot improve upon them. I can only say they capture why I much prefer RLT traveling "way out here," than spending any time in glitzy man-made population centers ...
While still quite pretty, the damage from the fire was unmistakable.
While the mature forest trees will never return in my lifetime, there are wild raspberries!
View looking north into the canyon flowing down from Trappers Lake. Again, the fire damage is obvious and unmistakable.
Panoramic view from vantage point above Trappers Lake
Photos: Views of Trappers Lake
The setting is spectacular, while the effect of the fire is inescapable. What this basin must have been like, in the days when its beauty inspired a national movement to create America's Wilderness Act!
Descent into White River Valley
Upon leaving Trapper Lake, the final leg of my journey was the descent down through the White River canyon and out into the beautiful valley in which we find the little town of Meeker. It was in Meeker that I would spend the night.
Photos: Descent down through White River canyon
Upon starting work on this post, I was chagrined to learn I could not find some of the pictures I was sure I had taken of the mouth of the White River canyon out into the valley below. I have yet to find them ...
What follows, then, are from a previous trip (as can be see from the difference in color of the foliage) where I only got as far as Buford.
White River at Buford, at the entrance to the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
Way out here in this remote corner of Colorado, a "hobbit hole" home!
Fertile ranch country above Meeker, in the White River valley below Buford
Photos: Views of Buford and White River valley
Like most any ranch country found in the American West at +7,000 ft (+2,100 m) in elevation, it is beautiful in the summer months. Given how remote these ranches are, I also have thoughts of the families that live there and the challenges they face, once the season changes and the tourists are long gone.
They have to be very hardy people to not only endure, but thrive under those conditions.
"Home sweet home!"
Yes, for one whole night ... As I arrived in this small town, it was very enjoyable to walk around on the side streets and down into the park areas along the White River, which flows through it.
Source: Very nice website on visiting Meeker
If you would like to have a very impressively produced idea about this area, be sure and click on this link, scroll down past the Photo Gallery, and click on the video!
- Now at my destination for the night, I'll call it a great day! 👋
Closing
This day provided unexpected "food for thought," both in reflecting on the damage wrought by a terrible fire, as well as the "heroics" of one person, who had a vision for what might be. But, was not yet ...
As a direct result, I, my family, and my fellow Americans, are blessed with experiencing portions of our big, wide world left ...
much as it has always been
untouched by man!
untouched by man!
I hope you enjoyed "seeing through my eyes" this remote part of the American West. If so, I’d love to hear any feedback you may be inspired to provide.
Until "next time," all the best to you for a better tomorrow, as we all work together to build up our Hive Communities and add increasing value to our Hive blockchain! 👍 😊
Respectfully,
Blogger @roleerob
Hive "Dolphin" 🐬 & Man Cave "Dragon" 🐉
P.S. Unless otherwise noted, all images are pictures taken by my smartphone - a Samsung Galaxy S9+.
🌲 No trees were harmed in the publishing of this post! 🌲
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