Trip Report
BPX Trip – 3-Day: Wheeler Geologic Area + Halfmoon Pass from South Fork Saguache TH
This BPX trip delivered, with the pièce de résistance being our visit to the Wheeler Geologic Area on Day 2. Each day had a new and interesting hike, expansive views, interesting and rock formations, a bit of weather, and, most importantly, a great group of people to share the experience.
Wayne Howell
- Fri, Sep 6, 2024 — Sun, Sep 8, 2024
- BPX Trip – BPX 3-Day: Wheeler Geologic Area + Halfmoon Pass from South Fork Saguache TH
- BPX 3-Day: Wheeler Geologic Area + Halfmoon Pass from South Fork Saguache TH
- Backpacking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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One thing to note is the last 27 miles of the drive was on dirt roads (all on good condition). Of particular note are the views that one receives on the drive in, making those 27 miles pretty rewarding and worth the drive.
We followed the planned routes from the Routes & Places information. The weather was great when we were on the trail. The trails conditions were mostly dirt, with a few wet spots and some creek crossings (using log bridges). The terrain was quite varied, including above and below tree-line, open meadows, navigating through willow bush fields, alpine tundra, a canyon, and lush forest. We got a bit of everything.
Our three-day backpacking trip to the Wheeler Geologic Area began at the South Saguache Trailhead, where we followed the Unknown Creek Trail into the pristine La Garita Wilderness. The first day’s hike was serene, with the trail weaving through vibrant meadows and thick stands of pine (unfortunately devastated by beetle kill). In the afternoon, we merged onto the Half Moon Pass Trail, ascending steadily through beautiful alpine scenery. By evening, we reached a peaceful campsite by a creek, where we settled in for the night, surrounded by the towering peaks of the wilderness and the sounds of nature.
Day two took us over Half Moon Pass, where the views were breathtaking. The climb was strenuous, but the volcanic rock formations of the Wheeler Geologic Area made every step worthwhile. Standing amidst the towering spires and eroded hoodoos, we felt transported to another world. After exploring the area, we made our way back over Half Moon Pass and to our campsite. The evening rewarded us with rain, a hailstorm, more rain, a second hailstorm, and then, finally quiet. A perfect end to an adventurous day.
On day three we packed up camp early and set off for the final stretch of our journey. The hike began with a climb between two prominent 12,000-foot peaks, where we were rewarded with expansive views of the rugged wilderness. From there, the descent took us through varied and challenging terrain. We first passed through open meadows. As we continued, the trail led us into a steep canyon, where the terrain shifted dramatically. We traversed across talus fields, carefully navigating the loose rocks while the towering cliffs loomed above us. The canyon's ruggedness was awe-inspiring, with its sheer rock faces and the echoes of the South Fork Saguache Creek rushing below. Emerging from the canyon, we followed the creek along the South Saguache Creek Trail, where the terrain softened again, and we hiked through a dense forest of towering pines and aspen, where the sunlight barely filtered through the canopy. By mid-afternoon, we arrived at the trailhead, completing a stunning and adventurous journey through some of Colorado’s most remote and awe-inspiring terrain.
