Lower Fisher Creek in Cottonwood Canyon

Sunday, June 11, 2023

This morning I was looking for a shorter hike close to home and thought I would make my way back over to Gateway so I could hike along Fisher Creek into lower Cottonwood Canyon. Hiking into this canyon has been on my to-do list for way too long and my interest was rejuvenated yesterday as I floated past the mouth of Fisher Creek on the Dolores River, so I figured it was finally time to make it happen. I woke up early on Sunday morning and then drove west through Unaweep Canyon to Gateway for the second time this weekend.

As I drove through Unaweep Canyon I stopped for a photo of Thimble Rock since it was looking nice in the early morning light.

It was a lovely morning in Unaweep Canyon.

I did get caught up in a Western Colorado traffic jam along the way…

After passing through Gateway I continued along the south side of the Dolores River until I reached the end of the road at Fisher Creek.

I stopped for another look at the beginning of Stateline Rapid.

Dolores River Road

Looking up to the point where the Dolores River Overlook is located at the mouth of Fisher Creek.

It was another beautiful morning as I started hiking up Cottonwood Canyon.

This spire high up on the canyon wall reminded me of a T-Rex.

I just love those big Wingate walls!

This was my turnaround point at the mouth of Thompson Canyon after I had hiked a couple of miles.

Just like everywhere else this year, there were quite a few wildflowers along the way.

Here’s a view from the mouth of Sevenmile Canyon.

Hiking along Fisher Creek on the way back to the trailhead.

It was getting warm out when I returned back to my Jeep, so I decided to head home early and relax for the rest of the day instead of doing something else in the area. It has been a busy spring on the rivers, and I certainly could use the rest!

>> Fisher Creek Photo Gallery