This area is myfavorite location in the San Juan’s. Been back many times. Climbed both Vestal and Arrow, approaching from Molas Pass. Good times! Thanks for the video.
I’m glad the weather cleared for you to experience the beauty of the Elk Creek drainage. Even better since I understand the trail crews have finally cleared the trees from the 2019 avalanches. It’s one of my favorite trails in the Weminuche.
Finally I've seen you do a video that covers trails I've backpacked. Parts of the San Juans really are isolated. On a week-long trip there we went three days without seeing anyone else at all. They remain the most impressive mountain range I've seen.
Have done some hiking and camping north of Durango but not that area just seen it from the hwy, going to have to explore that area some more in the future. Looks like some of the Colorado Trail near where you were is accessible from off the road that runs between Crede and Lake City.
Of all the peaks I have climbed Garfield is my favorite. From Molas down 1600' to the river. The north side of Garfield gains about 4000 feet in a horizontal mile so steep. Hardly a hike but a climb from bottom to the top. Thick woods..absolutely NO trail. At tree line an exposed climb to the summit which is a twin peaked and always an ice field between the summits with massive exposure. Get your view and a down climb (NOT a hike) to the river then 37 switchbacks UP to Molas. Wonderful rock and genuinely remote as it is on nobody's list. From the climbing register maybe two parties a year, maybe none. Bring your head lamp..its a 5 AM to 10 PM monster. . Its low at 13,074"...591st in the state but it may be the best, Only looks good from Hwy 550, the train, and while you are on it. Put it on your bucket list!
I don't know when you passed through but the San Juan County SAR was looking for a missing hiker in the Arrow/Vestal/Trinity area between July 21 and August 1st without any luck. RIP. Also on the grim news the Crestone area had two fatalities (Crestone-Crestone Needle Traverse and Kit Carson) within a month or so. RIP