3 day backpack with Brad and George on Mill Creek-Castles trail in the West Elk Wilderness, CO
Colin and I did the first part of this trail maybe 20 years ago early in the season. This area has a lot of conglomerate rock that I believe is a result of long ago volcanic activity, leaving lots of beautiful weathered spires and other formations. We hiked in 5 miles the first day and up around 1500 feet to our campsite at the top of a fall on Mill Creek. One of the best backcountry campsites I’ve ever had. Then the next day we did an 8 mile RT day hike up 2000 feet to Storm Pass at just shy of 12,600 feet. At the top of Storm Pass you look right at the castles formation with the Elk Mountains of the Maroon Bells Wilderness in the background across the upper little Mill Creek Valley....truly spectacular..The photos don’t do it justice. One of the more dramatic and spectacular views I’ve had in the backcountry. Our third day we hiked back out the five miles to the car. It rained a bit both evenings and nights but good hiking weather during the day. We worked hard, but were rewarded with solitude and fantastic scenery. There were about 8 cars parked at the trailhead, but most of those people don’t go past the first mile, where there is a big meadow with great views and a creek crossing. Once we crossed the creek we saw two groups coming down and then didn’t see anyone (except two day hikers early our last morning) the whole time we were out. Another dandy trip.
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