American Basin Lake City CO
American Basin is one of the most photographed places in Colorado in late July and early August. It is an extremely beautiful vast expanse of wildflowers as far as the eye can see.
To reach American Basin from Lake City you take County Road 30 about 3 or 4 miles south of town toward Lake San Cristobal. The drive itself is absolutely breath taking and is rather easy as far as mountain roads go. I would certainly recommend a four wheel drive vehicle with good clearance. You will pass Lake San Cristobal and several miles down the road you will pass close to the old ghost town of Sherman. I would think the short drive to Sherman would be worth your time. Sherman was a small mining community that was often washed away by spring runoff but was always quickly rebuilt to continue mining in the area.
When leaving Sherman you will be going up the infamous “Shelf Road”, you will quickly understand how the road got its name. The view from here is spectacular for the passengers but make sure the driver keeps his eye on the road. Once passed the shelf road the way smoothes out and is a real pleasure all the way to the creek crossing going into the basin. This is the point where I suggested you have four wheel drive with good clearance. Going into the basin is not bad but coming out needs careful tire placement.
This is also the jumping off point for hikers going to Sloan Lake and the trail to Handies Peak. In the basin you will see hundred of different wildflowers in an array of color that is hard to believe. There will be artist set up all over the basin and photographers taking pictures everywhere. The splendid color will only last a few weeks but will remain very pretty even as the flowers lose their full blooms.
In the past the sheep grazing on public lands have been a problem moving into the basin about the same time the flowers were in full bloom. In recent times the sheep seem to be in other parts of the mountains when the flowers are at their magnificent best. I personally think the Forest Service has done a very delicate diplomatic job in persuading the sheep herders to steer clear of American Basin this time of year.
There are very few places in the mountains as impressive as American Basin this time of year. If you are in the area of Lake City about then, don’t miss it.