A Roar Har 
Tucked away a short hike off of a four-wheel drive road in the Guanella Pass area lies the Geneva Creek Iron Fens. A rare geologic phenomenon unique to Colorado, iron fens are formed when mineral rich groundwater bubbles up from mountain springs and forms colorful ledges and terraces composed of limonite (the earth pigment used to create ochre dyes). Iron fens also produce acidic peat-forming wetlands that supports rare plant communities, including the only known occurrence of Sphagnum girgensohnii (a sphagnum moss) in Colorado. The hike to Geneva Creek Iron Fens is short, but allow plenty of time to explore the fens and the surrounding areas.
Features: Unique geologic process, rare plant community, designated Colorado Natural Area (Colorado Parks and Wildlife), historic mining buildings
Location: Guanella Pass Area, Geneva Creek Basin
Maps: National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map 104: Idaho Springs, Loveland Pass; USGS 7.5′ Montezuma, CO
Managing Agency: Clear Creek County Open Space Commission
Emergency Contact: Clear Creek Sheriff 303-679-2376. Cell reception is non-existent in this area. Carrying an emergency GPS beacon is recommended.
Distance: 2.4 miles round-trip
Time: 2-4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. The distance is short, but it is at high elevation.
Rating: Class I. Easy hiking on a good trail. The footing is generally good when exploring the fens, but can be slick in spots and if you venture into the swampier areas, be cautious of stepping in deep, wet mud.
Starting Elevation: 10800 feet
Ending Elevation: 11400
Elevation gain: 600 feet
Permit: Not required
Vehicle Access: Four-wheel drive is required to reach the trail head. High clearance is recommended.
Gear: Waterproof boots are recommended.
Water: Bring at least 1 liter. There is abundant water, but it may be contaminated with heavy metals.
Dogs: Dogs are permitted. Keep under control to protect wildlife, livestock and fragile environment.
Season: Late Summer, Early Fall. The access road (FR119) is closed by snow in early to mid-October until late July. The trail is accessible in winter by skis or snowshoes but much of the winter the closest starting point will be the Duck Creek Picnic ground at the head of FR119 which will add 7 miles each way.
Camping: Geneva Park Campground (National Forest Service Fee Site) offering tent and RV camping is near the start of FR119. Many free dispersed sites are available along FR119. Duck Lake Picnic area is also near the start of FR119 for day use only.
Restrooms: None
Food: Al’s Pits in Grant, Colorado provides great BBQ. For a hearty lunch or breakfast, check out The Shaggy Sheep.
Nearby: Geneva Basin mining area (requires high clearance 4wd), Shelf Lake Trail, Jackwhacker Gulch, three 13,000+ foot peaks (Landslide Peak , Geneva Peak, Sullivan Mountain), and Josephine lake (the most Northern Lake in the county).
Directions to the Trailhead: From Denver:
1. Travel south on Highway 285 to the town of Grant located about 40 miles South of the C-470/Hwy 285 intersection (45 minutes)
2. Turn right on Park County Road 62 (Geneva Road/Guanella Pass) and continue for approximately 7 miles (15 minutes)
3. Turn left at Forest Road 119 (four-wheel drive only) and arrive at trailhead after 5 miles (30 minutes)
Driving Notes: FR119 is a four-wheel drive road that starts off as a graded road, but becomes rougher and narrower the farther you go. Be prepared for large puddles, stream crossings and lots of rocks. At 4.3 miles, you will pass through private property. At 5 miles cross Jackwacker creek. The trailhead is on the left just 0.1 miles beyond the creek crossing (5.1 miles total) and only has room for one or two vehicles. If you are unsure if your vehicle can do the creek crossing, there is a wide spot suitable for parking two or three vehicles just before you reach the creek. Beyond the trailhead, the road becomes a narrow shelf road with a steep grade and is only suitable for high clearance 4wd vehicles and experienced off road drivers.
Trail Description: The trail is an old 4wd road making it wide and easy to navigate. Distances are approximate.
0.0 Mile – Walk in past the locked vehicle gate
0.5 Miles – Cross a shallow pond by rock hopping or walking through the shallow water. The trail starts to climb after this crossing.
1 Mile – Unsigned fork in the road. Take the right fork. The left fork leads to another fen that is also worth exploring if you have time.
1.25 Miles – Arrive at the Iron Fens. Explore the Fens as long as you like before returning the same way you came.
Trailhead Parking. If you continue up the road to the right, it quickly becomes a steep, rocky, narrow shelf road, suitable only for high clearance 4wd vehicles with experienced off-road drivers.
Vehicle barricade at the start of the trail
The pond crossing at 0.5 miles requires some rock-hopping.
The road forks at about mile 1.0. Take the right (lower) fork to reach the fens.
Arrive at the fens at about mile 1.4 and spend some time exploring.
Check out these videos we made at the fens. The first one was starting at a different, less accessible trailhead. It’s about a mile up the high-clearance 4wd road and requires some off-trail navigation.
and this one too!
We would love your feedback! Did you find the guide useful? Would you like more information in a trail guide? Did you get hopelessly lost following our directions? Let us know in the comments!
Happy trails!
Katie and Marybeth
The Man
Loved these twin Hexayurts way out in the open camping area.
Our Tensigrity Shade Structure worked quite well on the playa and it can hold 3 hammocks!
Yours Truly, feeling amazing!
We looked forward to the sunsets every night because it cooled off enough to go exploring.
Waiting for sunrise out by the trash fence.
Marybeth hanging out with the Space Cats in the Deep Playa.
Hanging out beyond the trash fence at the Black Rock City Airport.
The Man Burning
Katie headed across the Playa.
This is a big part of what it’s all about.
The Angler Fish Art Car.
Marybeth and Momma Bear.
No words. This is simply beautiful.
Marybeth and the Temple.
Black Rock City from the Air.
The A-Roar-Har gals.
Every Burgin must roll in the dust and ring the bell!
Don’t think she has to worry about the dust getting washed off.
Well, Hello There!
Sunrise with a pal.
Carl the Chameleon
Love to all!
We’ve had a lot of adventures this summer, but the highlight has to be the one we just returned from…Burning Man! A blog post is in the works, but enjoy this video we made in the meantime!
Happy Trails!
Katie
It’s cold and there is fresh snow on the ground, but it’s Colorado, so the sun is shining and it’s a perfect day for a hike. There’s too much snow for the mountain bikers and not enough for the snowshoers so I get the trail all to myself. That’s exactly how I like it.
With my faithful companion, Fluffy Dog, I set out on the trail to finally finish Section 3 of the Colorado Trail. The trail starts at the Little Scraggy Trailhead and rolls through ponderosa pine forests. It winds around the sides of hills and up and down drainages until its terminus at Rolling Creek.
Rocky peaks, composed of well worn rubble dominate the landscape. The lower reaches are strewn with boulders wearing blankets of snow. Remnants of ancient peaks, they are reminders that the mountains are no more eternal than we are, just longer lived. Now and then, there is a a glimpse of the snow capped mountains through the trees.
The cloudless sky is a shade of brilliant blue that I’ve only ever seen in winter. The sun throws long shadows, even at midday and it’s low angled rays glide over the snow making it sparkle like precious gems. The stark white of the snow contrasts sharply with the conifers making the green needles and the red bark of the ponderosas appear deeply saturated. Here and there the trees let loose a silvery cascade of snow dust. I stop and watch the show until a nearby tree decided to loose it’s cold, shimmery gifts upon my head.
The going is slower than usual because of the snow, but I don’t mind. There is something extra special about hiking after a fresh snowfall. With the crystalline carpet muffling the rustling of the trees and brush, the silence overwhelms the senses. Even the streams are quiet. No babbling brooks chattering on their course, there is only a muted glug, glug as the water makes it’s way under the ice. Punctuating the silence are the sounds of mountain song birds, clearer and brighter than what you hear in summer, and a lone woodpecker is tap, tap, tapping in search of grubs.
And, oh the happy puppy dog! He’s unfettered to frolic freely in the snow. He’s bounding through the forest after who knows what. Oh look, he found a deer leg. Hope the critter that left it isn’t still around.
It takes some route finding to find my way through the forest with the trail obscured by snow, but the path is well worn and the depressions left by thousands of footsteps are not too hard to follow. I make my way through this cold, white Eden contemplating all and nothing. The landscape is beautiful and silent and the peace it brings my soul is unmeasured. I leave this place and return to the bustle of “real life” but it lingers in my mind and I am restless and anxious to return to the woods to find that peace again.
Happy Trails,
Katie
Enjoying the surf, sand and sun at North Beach on Isla Mujeres.
Our first sunset on the beach at Playa Lancheros.
The island is awash in tropical colors.
This bike is so rusty, it’s a wonder that it’s still rideable.
Two iguanas basking on the rocks at Punta Sur.
One of the many large steel artworks in the sculpture garden at Punta Sur.
The ruins of Ixchels temple on Punta Sur.
While all the food we had on the Isla was phenomenal, the gold star goes to a tiny, humble restaurant called El Charco for the best Flautas I’ve ever had!
Mayan Temple at Chichen Itza, miraculously devoid of crowds.
If you were a fitting sacrafice in ancient Mayan culture…this is where you would die.
These columns were roofed with wood in ancient time to provide shade for Mayan pilgrims.
Swimming in Cenote Saamal.
Marybeth and I logging dive time.
Yours truly, relaxing at North Beach.
A bittersweet sunset. It’s time to go home.
Inglesia de San Pedro Claver in the Old City of Cartagena
Bougainvillea vines drape over many of the old Spanish buildings.
By chance, we were in Cartagena for the signing of the peace agreement between FARC and the Colombian government. Ultimately, the people of Colombia voted against the agreement, but it was still a remarkable piece of history to witness. This was a candle-lighting ceremony in one of the city squares the night before the signing.
After dark, the city really comes alive. Too hot to be active during the day, the nightlife in Cartagena is robust with tourists and locals mingling in every square. Just follow the voices and music and you’ll find yourself being entertained by talented street performers or stumble upon a local bar where you can grab a cervasa and find the people of all ages salsa dancing. One of our favorite finds was the “Cuba 1940’s” bar where you can dangle you feet in a cool indoor pool while sipping Mojitos. Plaza de La Trinidad, in the Getsemani quarter, was steps from our hotel and swarming with people every night. Located in a working class neighborhood that is undergoing gentrification, and awash in expensive boutique hotels alongside hostels and modest local homes, a gathering of people from all walks of life occurs on the square. Grab some rum laced fruit punch from a street vendor and find a spot to sit and watch the show.
A wonderful way to spend the day and escape the heat on Isla Grande.
Marybeth enjoying a relaxing day in her hammock at the Beach Hostel on Tierra Bomba.
Trying fresh fruit juices at the Mercado
Local kids congregating at the church entrance during a wedding we happened by.
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- Marybeth relaxing at the rooftop pool of our hotel
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- Marybeth and I enjoying some beach time on Isla Grande
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- This is Maggy Luis who gave us an impromptu tour of Isla Grande
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- Vultures are all over the place.
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- Best ceviche in Cartagena
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- Two sloths live in the city park.
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- Trinidad square during the quiet of the day
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- Street Art is everywhere
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- A lot of street food is deliciously deep fried!
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- Guava paste and a local soft cheese from a street vendor
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- Marybeth and some of the ubiquitous street art
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- One of the groups in the Elders parade.
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- One of the few pieces of indigenous art we saw.
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- Chicharonne – Deep fried pork belly
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- Marybeth contemplating Colombian art
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- A decaying cemetery just outside of town.
Mount Elbert beckons.
An early morning start is needed in order to summit before the storms roll in. The reward for the lack of sleep is a lovely sunrise on the trail.
Fluffy Dog is not letting the altitude slow him down. He spent some time bounding through the trees while waiting for me to catch up.
A great mid-mountain place to stop for a snack and to take in the views.
Fluffy Dog is enjoying mid-hike his snack.
Fluffy Dog making new friends on the mountain.
Fluffy Dog was happy to find a snow field to play in near the summit.
Getting closer to the summit, I was hiking at a snails pace, while the altitude didn’t slow Fluffy Dog down at all.
Fluffy Dog savors the triumph of his first 14er.
The views from the summit are always awe-inspiring.
Segment 10 runs along the base Mount Massive.
A little synchronicity happened in our schedules allowing Marybeth and I to embark on a short backpacking trip to tackle segment 10 of the Colorado Trail. It was a good chance to test out our gear and have a little adventure. We started our trek in the great little town of Leadville, where we met up and had dinner at the Tennessee Pass Cafe. I popped into the Leadville Outdoors & Mountain Market to pick up a dehydrated meal for our trip and ended up walking out with a new air mattress and a bunch of maps. The Market is a small but well-curated shop and the owner was very helpful and knowledgeable about her products. I can definitely recommend stopping in if you’re in the area and need some gear.
Fluffy Dog along the trail. Most of the trail is nicely shaded in pine forest.
Segment 10 of the Colorado Trail meanders through a pine forest along the base of Mount Massive, and aptly named 14er that is the second highest mountain in Colorado. There are two long up climbs going either direction on the trail. We started from the Mount Massive Trailhead, hiking “backwards” from the way most people choose to do it. The grade is not too bad on the legs and lungs (and about the same whichever direction you choose), though I think we both were a very happy when we completed the second uphill portion. Water crossings are abundant which made this a good section to go lighter on the amount of water in our packs and I didn’t need to carry extra water for Fluffy Dog which was a welcome change from most of my hikes. The trail winds mostly through pine forest and grants you occasional glimpses of Mount Elbert (which is right next to Mount Massive). After 10 miles on our feet, we found a good campsite at a large clearing with views of Leadville and the surrounding hills just inside the Mount Massive Wilderness.
Fluffy Dog is guarding the tent.
The lack of good rain this summer and subsequent burn ban meant we couldn’t build a campfire, so we made quick dinners from our dehydrated meals. It would have been perfect except we were swarmed by mosquitoes for a couple of hours before the sun went down. We took shelter from the pesky bugs in Marybeths tent until they settled down for the night. We broke out the campstove again to toast marshmallows for ‘smores, my favorite camping treat.
You can enjoy ‘smores, even if you can’t have a campfire!
While Marybeth and Fluffy Dog spent the night in her tent, I brought along my hammock and rainfly for a trial run. In one night, I’ve become a hammock camping convert! I spent a very comfortable night (even when it rained) with the exception of my sleeping pad shifting. A new sleeping bag with a pad holder is now on my wishlist, along with a bug net.
My morning view from my new favorite piece of gear, my hammock!
My pack weighed in at 28 pounds including 1 liter of water and all my food. I’d like to get that pack weight down a bit (under 20 pounds if I can) when my budget allows buying lighter gear. I have a toasty warm sleeping bag, but it weighs in at 4 pounds and takes up an extraordinary amount of pack space. A lighter, smaller sleeping bag is first on the list! Fluffy Dog is also going to learn to carry his own food, dog booties, some of his water and few other pup supplies. His gear and food (not counting water) adds nearly 3 lbs to the pack so I’ll be searching for a pack for him soon!
Fluffy Dog got to take it easy this trip, but soon he will be outfitted with his own pack.
I’m loving my Osprey pack (3 lbs) which is big enough to carry all my gear, but not terribly bulky. My spur of the moment purchase of a Thermarest NeoAir sleeping pad was a welcome upgrade from my old foam pad. I cut the foam pad down to Fluffy Dog size so he could have his own backcountry dog bed. My trusty Down Under oilskin hat, my trekking umbrella and my versatile shemya, round out my 3 favorite pieces of backpacking gear.
All my gear. Note the size of my sleeping bag! It’s definitely time for a smaller one!
We packed up our gear the next day and had a quick 3 mile hike to the Timberline Trailhead. It was time to get back to civilization and our jobs (so we can buy more gear!). We’re already dreaming of our next journey!
But first, a few more pics…
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- Marybeth and Fluffy taking a break.
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- There are a lot of tree blazes marking the trail in this segment.
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- Water is abundant!
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- Fluffy Dog enjoying a little freedom.
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- The view from our campsite.
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- Snug as a bug in my hammock.
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- Purple Asters along the trail.
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- Fluffy Dog waiting patiently for his humans.
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- Elephants head, a favorite flower.
Happy Trails,
Katie
Pryor Mountain Mustangs, 2016
The foals are especially curious about humans. 2004
White Cloud and his harem, 2003
An old tractor lies at rest on Burnt Timber Ridge Road.
They aren’t kidding about the 4×4 recommendation!
Scratching an itch, 2003
A stallion and his mare, 2003
Hey friend! 2003
A foal in a meadow of lupine, 2003
Damage acquired on Sykes, 2003
Overlooking Montana on the Pryor Mountain Road, 2004
Mares and foals, 2004
Just 3 little buddies, 2004
Nap Time, 2004
Mustangs at a salt lick.
Evening is settling over the range, 2004
Foal friends, 2004
Must be love, 2004
Sunset in the lower reaches of Sykes Ridge Road, 2016
Relaxing with Fluffy Dog on top of the Mountain, 2016
Even the “good” parts of the road are rocky, 2016
Views of the Big Horn National Recreation Area on the way up Sykes Ridge Road, 2016
Typical coloration of these mustangs, 2016
Hello there! 2016
Views of Wyoming from the top of the range, 2016
Resting among friends, 2016
Curiousity, 2016
A very angry marmot. He didn’t like Fluffy Dog coming near his den. 2016
A foal in evening light. 2016
Grazing in the last light of the day, 2016
For more information about the Pryor Mountain Mustangs check out:
Panorama from Section One of the Colorado Trail
Fluffy Dog is leading the way.
Soon, you leave the lower forest and gain a ridge, hiking the rolling terrain of the ridge for another 1.5 miles. Quicker than I thought I would get there I made it to Lenny’s Rest, and was officially back on the Colorado Trail. Three more miles of hiking up and down drainages (with several water crossings) finally found me at my turnaround point. Fluffy and I stopped for a bit and had some snacks and I refilled my water bottles at Bear Creek. This part of the trail is really lovely, and the moisture from the creek supplies plenty of water to support lush vegetation.
The Ridge
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