TrailDamage.com

Photos, videos and information about 4x4 trails in Colorado and Utah

  • Trails
    • Colorado
    • Utah
  • Reports
    • Featured Photos
    • Featured Videos
    • Reports Calendar
  • Members
  • Search
  • Trail Damage Winners
  • FAQ
  • Community
  • Upcoming Events
  • Membership
  • Log In
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Bristol Head 090828

August 28, 2009 by Mike Shannon

Bristol Head

Trail Run on August 28, 2009
Report and photos by Mike S., Trail Leader
View trail information for Bristol Head

Walt S.
Gray 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392
Dave E.
Blue 1999 Jeep Cherokee
Mike S.
Silver 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Pat M.
Maroon 1998 Jeep Wrangler

After completing Nellie Creek, and returning to Lake City to say goodbye to Monica and Gary, the remaining crew headed back down highway 149 to the Bristol Head trailhead. We soon were at the turn off and quickly aired down and disconnected. The day was beautiful with clear skies and no threat of rain. We proceeded across the meadow and into the trees. The trail was smooth and we made good time. As we climbed, the trail became a little rougher, with occasional small potholes and some mud, but nothing that any vehicle couldn't navigate.

We passed a large campsite with several trailers and tents, and it looked like someone was setting up their elk hunting camp. Could it be that time of year already? We just weren't ready for summer to be over! We passed the turn off to Crystal Lake spur, wanting to make sure that we got to see Bristol Head before any afternoon thunderstorms developed. It turned out that the weather stayed clear, so we enjoyed the sunshine.

We met a few small groups and single vehicles but each time there was ample room to allow our groups to pass. We paused for lunch at a meadow with a good view of the approach to Bristol Head and we enjoyed the views. After lunch, we continued toward the summit. As we approached the last turn before the steeper rise, we came upon some mountain sheep. They didn't seem bothered by the attention and after checking us out they resumed their grazing.

We soon reached the first overlook near the end of the trail with its tower and solar panel arrays. We all parked and walked around enjoying the views down into the Rio Grande Valley and Santa Maria Reservoir. It was fun to check out the mountains to the west, noting possible trails for future exploration. After a while, we drove over to the second overlook just around the corner from the first one. Once we were done, we headed back down.

We soon arrived back at the spur to Crystal Lake. This spur quickly proved to be of a different nature than the main trail because it was lesser-used and definitely tighter and more varied. We wound our way through the trees and rocks, up and down the hills, and were soon at the lake. There was one fisherman on the opposite side of the lake and a group of ATV riders at the parking area. We talked with them and after a while they left, heading further up the trail, apparently on their way back to Creede. We didn't follow as we were uncertain if the trail was open to Jeeps, ATVs, or limited to foot traffic. While there were tracks of full-sized vehicles proceeding past the lake, we opted not to risk driving in a potentially closed area. It's so hard to tell what's legal sometimes, especially when there's evidence of prior use by others.

We left the lake and quickly drove back to the end of the trail. As we reached the end, we all had fun splashing our way through the creek crossing. We aired up and headed back to Lake City in time for dinner. Another great day in paradise!

airing_down
bristol_head_in_the_distance
crystal_lake_part_1
crystal_lake_part_2
crystal_lake_part_3
crystal_lake_spur
dave_at_the_top
dave_down_the_hill
dave_through_the_water
early_trail
easy_trail
escarpment_along_the_spur
foot_path_past_crystal_lake
jeeps_through_the_meadow
lunch_stop
mike_at_the_top
mike_on_the_spur
mike_through_the_water
mountain_sheep_part_1
mountain_sheep_part_2
narrower_trail_on_the_spur
nearing_crystal_lake
pat_at_the_top
pat_down_the_hill
pat_on_the_trail
pat_through_the_water
rain_in_the_distance
rio_grande_valley
road_sign
rough_spot
sign_at_spur_to_crystal_lake_part_1
sign_at_spur_to_crystal_lake_part_2
snow_mesa
start_of_the_trail
sun_and_clouds
through_the_brush
twisty
view_from_bristol_head_part_1
view_from_bristol_head_part_2
view_from_bristol_head_part_3
view_from_bristol_head_part_4
view_from_the_second_overlook_part_1
view_from_the_second_overlook_part_2
walt_at_the_top
walt_down_the_hill
walt_through_the_water
Join Us!
If you aren’t a Member or Subscriber, you can’t see all of the content on this site. Get membership information to see why this site is best when you join and log in

Information for Subscribers

When you log in you’ll see more information here:

  • Recent Community Forum posts
  • Recent polls
  • Upcoming Events you can attend
  • Links to online users

© 2000-2022 · TrailDamage.com · Terms and Conditions · About · Contact
Trail information is only accurate on the date posted. Trails may have changed or closed since that date. Use this information for historical purposes only.
Contact the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management for up-to-date trail information.

/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View slug: reports-other-reports-for-same-trail-slider - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* place the prev/next controls on the sides */ .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-next-link, .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-previous-link { border: none; font-size: 300%; position: absolute; top: 70px; } .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-previous-link { left: 0; } .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-next-link { right: 0; } /* center the page selector horizonatally */ .td-transition-controls ul.wpv_pagination_dots { text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; } /* center the page selector horizonatally */ .td-transition-controls ul.wpv_pagination_dots li.wpv_pagination_dots_item, .td-transition-controls .wpv_pagination_dots li a { display: inline-block; float: none; } /* remove the default styles */ .td-transition-controls .wpv_pagination_dots li a { text-decoration: none; border-bottom: none; } .td-slider-container { padding: 0 25px; margin-bottom: 20px; position: relative; width:100%; display:table; } .td-slides { position: relative; } .td-slides-image { float:left; display:table-cell; } .td-slides-image img { border:1px solid #c0c0c0; } .td-slides-content { padding:4px 4px 4px 10px; border-top:1px solid #c0c0c0; border-right:1px solid #c0c0c0; border-bottom:1px solid #c0c0c0; display:table-cell; height:227px; overflow:hidden; } .td-slides-content h3 { margin-top:8px; } .td-slides-leader { font-size:smaller; margin-top:4px; } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View slug: reports-other-reports-for-same-trail-slider - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Template for a Single Report - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ .entry-header { display:none; } .entry-content h1 { margin-top:16px; padding-top:0; } h1 a { color:#222; } h1 a:hover { color:#666; } p.entry-meta { font-size:small; } #report-body-spacer { clear:both; width:100%; height:20px; } #addtoany-bar { margin-bottom:2em; text-align:center; } .category-reports .post-info .author, .post-info .date { display: none; } .addthis_recommended_horizontal { text-align:center !important; } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Template for a Single Report - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in REPORTS Runners - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ #runners-container { width:100%; clear:both; } .runner { border:1px solid #c0c0c0; margin:0 6px 6px 0; float:left; width:49%; height:81px; } .runner-image { float: left; } .runner-image img { margin:2px 10px 0 2px; height:75px; width:75px; } .runner-name { text-transform:uppercase; } .runner-name a { color:#222; } .runner-name a:hover { color:#666; } .runner-vehicle { font-size:small; } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) { .runner { width:100%; } } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in REPORTS Runners - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */