Camping in Upper Hermosa Creek

Our campsite.

Every year I force my family to go camping with me for Father's Day weekend.  This year we went camping in the Upper Hermosa Creek area, which is an easily accessible area to camp with a back-country feel.  However, it is a very popular camping area and not a place to go if you are seeking seclusion.  We had two other families nearby and we were pretty far up the valley.

Harris Ranch area.

Directions: From Durango, head north approximately 30 miles on Highway 550 to Durango Mountain Resort (fka Purgatory). Turn left into the Resort entrance and follow the main road looking for the signs pointing to Hermosa Park Road, which will be on your right.  Follow Hermosa Park Road, which quickly turns into a dirt road and begins to climb.  The road is well maintained and easily traveled by the average passenger car.  The road is also known as Forest Service Road 578 and it will fork once or twice prior to descending into the Harris Ranch area.

Playing in the creek.

Keep following the signs to Sig Creek Campground and Upper Hermosa Creek Campground and you will head in the right direction.  After about 4.5 miles heading mostly due west, you will pass the Upper Hermosa Creek Campground and the upper trailhead for the Hermosa Creek Trail, which enters one of the largest unprotected roadless areas in Colorado. The road will curve and begin heading north along the Upper Hermosa Creek.  Soon you will come across numerous pull-outs along the creek that make for great camping sites.  We drove another 2 3/4 miles up the road and found a more isolated spot right on the creek.  Fair warning, once you pass the intersection of Forest Road 578 and 550, the road becomes substantially rougher and is only suitable for 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Old cabin at the Graysill Mine.

Pick a spot along the road and have a great time camping.  Our site had ample shade due to numerous large pine trees and had the sounds of a babbling brook just a stone's throw from our tent.  There are no services up here and as a result, you will need to bring in your own water.  Please make sure to pack out your trash.  My kids had a great time exploring the creek and throwing rocks in the water.

Bugs were not a major problem but the mosquitoes can be sneaky. Definitely bring repellent but the mosquitoes were not swarming when we were there.  At night, the stars were spectacular and we saw several satellites travel across the night sky.

High alpine lake near Bolam Pass.

The next day, we drove up Forest Road 587 to Bolam Pass, where the Graysill Mine was located. Some of the uranium from this mine was used in the first atomic bombs built by the United States.  There are still remnants of the mine camp standing, including one intact cabin.

As you continue on the road, you will pass two beautiful high alpine lakes and climb to the top of Bolam Pass, which offers beautiful views of Lizard Head, Mount Wilson and the Tin Basin.

We stopped for lunch and enjoyed watching the ground squirrels and pika scrambling through the boulder field below the road.

Mt. Wilson and Lizard Head from Bolam Pass through a passing rain storm.

Ground squirrel.

Pika!