On Thursday, September 27th, we headed out from our rental home base in Creede to take the 50-mile drive to Lake City, known as the Silver Thread Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway (see map below). We have to say it was, arguably, the most spectacular Colorado scenery and fall colors we saw on this trip - or ever!

We start with a short stop right around the corner from our home base, on the side of the road (Rte. 149) to view the Clay Mine (photos #02-04). For part of the journey, we follow the Rio Grande River till the river turns West (#9 on the map) towards it's headwaters at Rio Grande Reservoir and Stoney Pass. We stop at the local landmark, Freemons General Store (photo #09 also about #9 on the map) for an ice cream break.

Starting at about #12 on the map, we take a side gravel road to the East (photos #10-18) which leads us to the beautifully photogenic (the most photographed falls in Colorado) North Clear Creek Falls (photos #19-25).

Along the way, we will cross the Continental Divide at Spring Creek Pass (photo #29, #13 on the map) at 10.898 feet altitude with a great view of Mount Baldy (photo #30) to the East. Then we reach Slumgullion Summit (photo #31) at elevation 11,530 feet with breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains and the colorful Aspens (photos #32-43).

At map marker #17 we view the Alfred Packer Massacre Site (photos #44-48), Colorado's famous cannibal and the grave of the five victims. Look closely in photo #47 and you will see bones!

We then see our last dazzling view along the route of the Aspen fall colors (photo #49), just South of our final destination, Lake City.

We also took a >>> VIDEO at North Clear Creek Falls <<< (#12 on the map below)