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The Edge of the Elks: Marble In the Middle

Friday – Sunday, August 6-8, 2021

I spent most of Friday in Redstone, Colorado attending the GIS Colorado Summer Meeting at the Redstone Inn along the Crystal River, so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity for me to stick around the area for the rest of the weekend. I haven’t spent any time in the Elk Mountains since our visit to the Conundrum Hot Springs last summer so I was looking forward to hiking among these rugged peaks again, even if the smoke was predicted to be bad over the weekend. When the meeting ended in the early afternoon I hopped into my Jeep and headed over to area surrounding Marble so I could try to get in a short hike before sunset.

 

Raggeds Wilderness: Anthracite Pass & Marble Peak

When I reached Marble I followed the road along Yule Creek almost all the way to the Yule Marble Quarry, but stopped just short at the Yule Creek Trailhead so I could hike up to Anthracite Pass and Marble Peak. Although there were clouds in the sky and it was a bit windy out, they didn’t appear very threatening at this time, so I carried on with the hike and kept an eye on the sky, but I wasn’t too worried since most of the hike would be in the trees.

The trail climbed steeply up the shoulder of The Raggeds and entered the Raggeds Wilderness.

Raggeds Wilderness Sign

The trees were thick through this area and the views were limited.

Opening

Once I finally started to get above most of the trees I had a good view across the Yule Creek Valley to Treasure Mountain.

Treasure Mountain

Looking up the Yule Creek to Purple Mountain.

Yule Creek Light

The scenery got even better as I followed the ridge to the summit.

Marble Peak View

Trail On The Ridge

Here’s the view from the summit of Marble Peak. I knew this wasn’t going to be a long hike when I started, but I didn’t really pay attention to the elevation change and it ended up being about 2,300 feet of gain.

Marble Peak Summit

After taking in the view for a bit, I followed the ridge down the other side and caught up with the trail again. This is looking back at the summit of Marble Peak.

Marble Peak

Overlooking North Anthracite Creek and Dark Canyon to the West Elks.

The West Elks

Looking the other direction past Whitehouse Mountain to Hagerman Peak and Snowmass Peak, which dominate the horizon.

Past Whitehouse Mountain

Here’s a different view of East Beckwith Mountain than I am used to seeing, since I am usually passing by below on Kebler Pass Road.

East Beckwith Mountain

Mount Owen and the Ruby Range

Ruby Range

An old sign along the Yule Creek Trail that I passed on my way back down to the trailhead.

Old Yule Creek Sign

The hike back down was much quicker than the hike up and I was back at my Jeep in less than an hour. I still had some time before sunset and needed to find a campsite for the night, so I headed back through Marble and then took the Lead King Basin Loop Road and found a spot just below Arkansas Mountain, which was perfect since I planned to hike that peak first thing in the morning.

The reflection was looking nice as I drove past Beaver Lake.

Beaver Lake

Good looking clouds over the Crystal River as I followed the Lead King Basin Loop.

Evening Clouds

 

Silver Creek Pass: Arkansas Mountain & PT 12670

After a good night of sleep I woke up before sunrise and could immediately smell the smoke in the air, even though it was still too dark to see it. I had a quick breakfast, got ready and then started hiking up the south ridge of Arkansas Mountain before sunrise- right from my campsite.

As it started to get lighter out I could see how thick the smoke was this morning…

Arkansas Mountain Ridge

The only good thing about smoke in the air are the colorful sunrises and sunsets that come with it.

Smoky Magenta Morning

A smoky view over Crystal Canyon.

Crystal Canyon Overlook

I watched as the sun started to come up over the spine of the Elk Mountains.

Smoky Sunrise

Looking back down the ridge I was hiking up.

Looking Down The Ridge

The sun was a red and yellow disc in the sky this morning.

Smoky Sunrise Over The Elks

The hike up the ridge to the summit was an easy walk.

Walk To The Summit

As I neared the top I had a good smoky view of Mount Daly to the northwest.

Mount Daly

Here’s the view from the summit of Arkansas Mountain. My next destination would be that pass to the right of the pointed peak in the middle of the photo.

Arkansas Mountain Summit

When I looked down the west ridge there were a couple deer just hanging out.

Deer On The Mountain

From the summit I descended down the north ridge and caught up with the Silver Creek Trail on the other side. I passed this small tarn on my way to the insignificant Silver Creek Pass and then continued on to the much higher East Fork Divide.

Little Tarn Reflection

Looking up to the East Fork Divide as I followed the trail to the pass.

Climbing To The Pass

I passed this curious marmot along the way.

Marmot

Looking back through the smoke to Arkansas Mountain.

Arkansas Mountain

The trail up to the pass was much better than I was expecting and a very pleasant hike. I was taking my time today since there were no chances for storms in the forecast.

Trail To The Pass

Here’s a look at PT 12670, which would be my next destination. I was hoping to get there by following the ridge from the pass, but I wasn’t sure if it would be too technical for me. It looked pretty rugged from below.

PT 12670

Almost to the pass…

To The Pass

Once I reached the pass the view to the north opened up and I could barely see Capitol Peak through the smoke, even though it was only 3.5 miles away. I’m sure this vantage point would offer amazing views of Capitol Peak in better conditions.

Capitol Peak in the Smoke

I did like the look of this rugged ridge- Mount Richey.

Rugged Ridge

Once I started following the ridge towards the summit I realized it was going to be easier than I thought.

Ridge To The Summit

The Other Side

The Other Side

Looking east down the ridge to Meadow Mountain.

Smoky Ridge

Smoky rugged peaks.

Smoky Peaks

The final steep climb to the summit.

Climb To The Summit

On the summit of PT 12670 and overlooking the East Fork Divide. Although this peak has no official name, it was a fun little scramble from the pass.

PT 12670 Summit

The Ridge Below

The Ridge Below

Mount Richey

Mount Richey

Looking down the south ridge to Arkansas Mountain and Sheep Mountain.

Ridgeline

Following the rocky ridge back down to the pass.

Back Down The Ridge

After returning to the pass I hiked down the Silver Creek Trail and followed it back to the trailhead.

Silver Creek Smoke

Then I road-walked back to my Jeep.

Campsite View

I was originally planning to stick around the area and climb another peak or two on Sunday morning, but as I started driving to find my next campsite I encountered way too much traffic for these narrow and rough roads which made getting around frustrating and difficult since there were few places to pass. After having to back up one too many times for passing vehicles I decided to just leave the area completely and head over to Kebler Pass to find something else to hike on Sunday morning.

 

Elk Creek to Copley Lake & Evans Basin

After finally reaching Marble again, I left the area and drove up to McClure Pass for lunch and to figure out my next move. After looking over maps I decided that I would hike up through Elk Basin to Gunsight Pass and the summit of Mount Emmons, also known as the Red Lady. When I was done eating lunch I drove over to the Kebler Pass Road and made my way towards the trailhead near Crested Butte.

I found a spot to spend the night in Splains Gulch and watched the red disc of a sun move through the smoky sky before sunset.

Red Disc Over Splains Gulch

As I started following the old mining road along Elk Creek early on Sunday morning, I was hopeful that the smoke wasn’t as bad today since I couldn’t smell it, but maybe I was just used to the smell by now…

Morning Color

Before heading up into Elk Basin, I made a short detour to visit Copley Lake.

Copley Lake

A reflection of the Ruby Range in the calm waters of Copley Lake.

Smoky Ruby Range Reflection

I took a short walk along the shore before heading back to Elk Creek.

Along The Shore

Yep, it was still very smoky out today…

Trees In Smoke

The Anthracite Range, including Ohio Peak, was barely visible through the thick smoke.

Barely Visible Anthracite Range

After leaving Elk Basin and crossing over into Evans Basin, I had a view of the rest of the trail leading up to Gunsight Pass and Mount Emmons.

Gunsight Pass & Mount Emmons

A view over Evans Basin with Mount Axtell, Whetstone Mountain, and Carbon Peak hidden in the smoke.

Smoky Evans Basin View

As I hiked up the old mining road I noticed that it was very washed out in a couple of places, so I wasn’t completely surprised when I came across this big washout that was over ten feet deep and stopped me in my tracks. I looked for a safe way to get across, but could not find one, so this would be my turnaround point for the day.

Trail Washed Out

Looking down the deep drainage chute that stopped me. I guess I will have to hike up to Gunsight Pass from the other side another time.

Drainage Chute

Evans Basin

Evans Basin

Following the old road back down.

Hiking Back Down

Smoky Trees

Smoky Trees

Hiking back down along Elk Creek. When I reached my Jeep I started the drive back home.

Elk Creek Trail

>> Marble in the Middle Photo Gallery

One Comment

  1. Steve Riggs
    Steve Riggs August 25, 2021

    Some nice images despite the smoke. Always good to dial things back a bit when solo!

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