Located along the scenic East Fork of the Encampment River, the old trail leads one through a number of logging camps, inhabited at the turn of the century by tie-hacks working for Carbon Timber Company between 1902 and 1912. An easy, short trail up the Ice Cave Ridge. Ice Cave Ridge Follow same directions for access as the Piedra River Trail, but when the trail forks, stay to the right. The Lower Piedra Trail is located near Chimney Rock, and a Forest Service gate blocks access in the winter. From the parking lot across the Piedra River, take the Ice Caves Trail down stream taking a left at the fork. To get there: Piedra Road North (CR 600 /FS 631) for 16 miles; after crossing the Piedra River, the parking lot is on the left. The Piedra River Trail is fantastic for a family-friendly hike. Start on the Piedra River Trail and then follow the old road bed to the right. This hike also has good views of the Piedra Vallley. ... and Navajo State Park. Start at either end of the trail – from the Piedra River crossing via Piedra Road, or from following US Highway 160 about 23 miles to where the Piedra River … The Big Ice Cave can be viewed by taking a short walk down an improved plank trail to the entrance portal. Ice Caves Trail starts across the road from the parking lot and is a nice hike down to the river itself. Piedra River Trail - a hike well worth the effort !!! Piedra River: A day’s hike at a moderate altitude (about 7,000 feet) with no long, steep climbs; follow a well-marked trail beside the Piedra. Zion National Park. This is an easy, short trail up Ice Cave Ridge. Headed north on a partially hard-surfaced road north from Pagosa Springs, going past the town airport and continuing on northward further along the subalpine valley, ultimately dropping down along an escarpment fairly close to the Piedra River. Piedra River Hot Springs Where: 3-mile out and back trail in the San Juan National Forest near Piedra The Lowdown: Chill and relax in one of … Beautiful views of the Piedra Valley. ICE CAVE RIDGE A nice geological detour. The view from my backdoor. Ice Cave Ridge: Follow same directions for access as the Piedra River Trail, but when the trail forks, stay to the right. Granite Peak West Mountain Slide Mountain Vallecito 160 Bayfield 160 A unique site for a quick hike. Explore. That’s because to get to this spot, you’ll need to climb straight up an 80-ft frozen … Trailhead elevation is 7,700 feet. 740. This is an easy walk on a wide gravel and boardwalk path to views of Big Four Mountain and the caves beneath the snow. Article by Khadijah O. Sep 13, 2013 - Upper Kanarra Creek Falls dressed in ice. Think as you observe that the surface of the earth in this area was once a few hundred feet higher and the Piedra River carried all that’s now missing away. Scree is a collection of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, volcanoes or valley shoulders that has accumulated through periodic rockfall from adjacent cliff faces. Fire and Ice. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route. Travel. route accordingly. Hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this trail. View of Piedra River and Trail Ridge from Ice Cave Ridge. Follow Piedra Rd through the neighborhoods, the pavement will end, take it another 10-15 miles, and the first bridge will be crossing the Piedra River. The adventurous will find one such cave big enough to explore - great for kids of all ages. View From Four Mile Road. Start at the trailhead parking lot and follow the paved pathway through the woods. An easy one-mile hike will bring you to the Piedra Falls, and from there it’s just another 300 yards up the Piedra River Trail to the caves. 55 Total Climbs There are no guided tours or speleothems. Article from flickr.com. - Williams Creek/Piedra River Trail/Ice Caves Trail (45 minutes) ----- POLICIES/RULES - Non-smoking residence (including outside) - No Pets - Must be 25 years old to reserve home - No parties or number of people staying than are paid for. One of the rock formations along the trail. We hiked about 3.5 miles of the Piedra Trail and then detoured to ice cave ridgeline and the not marked, but easy to find Piedra Ice Fissures Trail. Immediately after the bridge, take a left into the Piedra River Trailhead parking lot. My backyard View_tonemapped. This is a moderate to more difficult trail with spectacular views as you hike to Windy Pass. 13. Pagosa Springs CO in 3d. This was a great little hike along the very scenic and at the time raging Piedra River. There are routes along the cliff and boulder problems and top ropes down by the river. . Bring a flashlight as there are no lights inside. Drive 7 miles to the trailhead. From the parking area, start on the Piedra River Trail for several hundred yards, then follow the old road bed to the right. The Spiral Staircase – Vail. This trail will quickly bring you to a very neat geological feature known as the “Ice Caves.” These deep fissures shelter ice into early Summer and continue to get larger and deeper with each melt-freeze cycle. #13 Ice Cave Ridge Trail Length: .5 miles | Difficulty: Easy. Travel Destinations. According to Mountain Project, there are trad routes, several bolted routes, and bouldering available. This trail will quickly bring you to a very neat geological feature know as the “Ice Caves.” These deep fissures shelter ice into early Summer and continue to get larger and deeper with each melt-freeze cycle. As you drop to the river, you will see the first route on your right. Pagosa Springs CO in 3d. Pagosa Springs in 3d. Piedra River Trail - a hike well worth the effort !!! 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