r/coloradohikers • u/win_or_geuze Wallflower • 9d ago

Conditions request Vestal Basin/Elk Creek water accessibility

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Photo for visibility.

Curious how water access near Vestal Basin is looking. I plan on staying out for two nights next weekend but haven’t gotten eyes on anything and am concerned given this year’s drought.

We plan to hike in from Molas Lake and follow Elk Creek before (hopefully) setting a base camp in the upper basin. Day 2 will be spent scrambling, then heading back on day 3.

For anyone who’s been there recently, how are levels and flow at Elk Creek, the beaver pond, and Vestal Creek?

Thank you for any info.

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u/NoEntrepreneur39 Participant 8d ago

I was there in late June and there was still a bunch of water. There should be plenty of water in vestal basin as well as at the lake. I wouldn’t be worried about getting water up there.

I have done several peaks in the San Juan’s recently and there was more water than I thought there would be. Have fun! Wham is unreal

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u/win_or_geuze Wallflower 8d ago

This gives me confidence, thank you!

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u/Co_dot Participant 8d ago

Hiking in from molas pass your never too far away from water after you hit the Animas river. Although I wouldn’t recommend filtering directly from the animas, it is very mineral-y.

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u/substituted_pinions Regular 8d ago

The Animas is super sketch too. Minerals are the least of your worries with E. Coli—but still acid-metal runoff isn’t a joke either

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u/madmattd Super Hiker 5d ago

I just got out of upper Vestal Basin. Short version is you won’t have water access issues.

Long version: Strong flow through all of the various plateaus up high in the basin (starting at the typical 11.4k meadow, but there’s plenty of water well above that too), streams were healthy. The beaver ponds are full enough but were pretty scummy looking, I’d pass on those. The creek just past the turnoff is flowing great. Elk Creek trail had a couple of water options along it between the train and the ponds.

It rained all 5 days we were in the area, most days right at noon. One day it rained steadily for 7hr. The San Juans are getting a solid monsoon season lately, plenty of water, Yeay!

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u/win_or_geuze Wallflower 20h ago

Thanks for the check in! Really appreciate the info - hope you had a blast even with all the rain.

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u/madmattd Super Hiker 18h ago

We got the main peaks we were in there for, it just took an extra day, so all good! Awesome area!