Adventure on HooDoo Creek the boys explore Mount Gunnison in Colorado
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Outdoors.
Adventure on HooDoo Creek: Exploring Mount Gunnison in Colorado
Summary
Three 13-year-old boys embark on an unforgettable adventure, exploring Colorado's Mount Gunnison and the West Elk Wilderness.
Article
Mount Gunnison beckoned as we?"three adventurous 13-year-old boys?"carefully planned our Colorado backcountry escapade. Armed with a Forest Service map and our parents’ hesitant approval, we set our sights on the journey ahead. Our route seemed straightforward: follow the Forest Service trail from Beaver Reservoir along the East Fork of Minnesota Creek toward Minnesota Pass.
Starting from Paonia, a quaint town nestled in a mountain-ringed valley abundant with apples, peaches, cherries, and more, we relished in its Shangri-La charm. Southeast of Paonia, Mount Lamborn and Landsend Peak formed a stunning backdrop, with Mount Gunnison standing tall and seemingly unreachable. But we were determined to change that.
In Ron, Larry, and I, the planning was meticulous. We spread out our provisions, checked our lists, and divided the supplies. Larry, the weight-lifting champ, took on the heaviest load, while Ron and I split the rest. Our gear was far from modern?"an open Boy Scout backpack, a tarp for a tent, and wool blankets my mom deemed indestructible.
Our adventure began at the Beaver Reservoir dam. Excitedly, we tackled the first mile of the trail only to veer away onto what looked like an enticing path toward HooDoo Creek. The thrill of exploration pushed us through aspen groves, always keeping the creek in sight. But it wasn't long before we realized we were on a mere game trail, with our path fading into dense brush.
For an hour, we pushed through challenging terrain, the aspen groves giving way to dense pine forests. Discord arose as we debated our route?"could we be lost? Three boys, far off-trail on Mount Gunnison's slopes?"was it possible?
Ron climbed a tall pine to survey our position. We were deep within a forest, but as long as we heard HooDoo Creek nearby, we weren't truly lost; it would lead us back to the main trail.
Facing a difficult upward path, we decided to stop, crossing to HooDoo Creek's banks. Under tall pines, we pitched our camp, strung our tarp, and warmed up with a simple meal of chicken noodle soup, shoestring potatoes, and homemade cookies. Singing by the campfire, we discovered Larry's hidden bluegrass talent.
The next morning greeted us with cold rain. Damp but undeterred, we packed up and made our way through wet brush back down the mountain, singing the campfire songs from the night before. We laughed at the lack of a clear trail to Mount Gunnison's summit, appreciating the view as we awaited our ride at Beaver Reservoir.
Reflecting on that adventure four decades later, I wouldn’t change a thing, except the gear. Now, with easy access to nearby motels in Cedaredge or Delta, I look forward to reliving those memories and rediscovering the beauty of Mount Gunnison.
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