2012 White River National Forest: Mitchell Creek Loop Trail

June 26, 2012 - around 6 mile day hike with only 600' elevation change along an old rail bed and wooded trail. A few interesting old charcoal kilns. Trail head is at top of Tennessee Pass across US-24 from Ski Cooper. Views of Holy Cross Wilderness and Homestake Peak. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5186582.pdf

Mitchell Loop Trailhead.
Mitchell Loop Trail.
Mitchell Loop Trail, columbine.
Mitchell Loop Trail, Tony.
Mitchell Loop Trail, about 1.5 miles, stone charcoal kilns off rail bed part of the trail. Charcoal used to fire trains headed to nearby Leadville.
Mitchell Loop Trail, about 1.5 miles, stone charcoal kilns off rail bed part of the trail. Charcoal used to fire trains headed to nearby Leadville.
Mitchell Loop Trail, off to the right of the rail bed part of the trail. Any guess what make?
Mitchell Loop Trail, off to the right of the rail bed part of the trail. Any guess what make?
Mitchell Loop Trail, off to the right of the rail bed part of the trail. Any guess what make?
Mitchell Loop Trail, along the rail bed part of the trail. The entire area was cut at least 50 years ago. Note the stumps. Signs of a very old fire are everywhere.
Mitchell Loop Trail, looking west to Mitchell Creek in the valley below.
Mitchell Loop Trail, about 2.5 miles, brick charcoal kilns at where the loop trail cuts off from the rail bed and the Continental Divide Trail.
Mitchell Loop Trail, about 2.5 miles, brick charcoal kilns at where the loop trail cuts off from the rail bed and the Continental Divide Trail.
Mitchell Loop Trail, about 2.5 miles, rail bed curves off to the right and crosses the Mitchell Creek Valley to more charcoal kilns.
Mitchell Loop Trail, the entire area was cut at least 75 years ago and subsequently burned. This stump is typical - appears to be party sawn & partly cut with an ax.
Mitchell Loop Trail, off the rail bed, on a single track bicycle trail on the west side of the loop. What is this?
Mitchell Loop Trail, off the rail bed, on a single track bicycle trail on the west side of the loop.
Mitchell Loop Trail, on a single track bicycle trail on the southwest side of the loop.
Mitchell Loop Trail, lodge pole pine forest southeast side of the loop, trail crosses a fast running creek after leaving Wurts Ditch Road.
Mitchell Loop Trail, lodge pole pine forest southeast side of the loop, trail crosses a fast running creek after leaving Wurts Ditch Road.
Mitchell Loop Trail, lodge pole pine forest southeast side of the loop. Continental Divide Trail marker.
Mitchell Loop Trail, lodge pole pine forest east side of the loop. A 15 foot high dead tree, burned, probably old enough to remember the virgin forest.
Mitchell Loop Trail, lodge pole pine forest east side of the loop. Second growth.