Wildflower Report - Silver Basin - July 18

[Doug Beezley]

Apparently few photographers go to Silver Basin - we were there the better part of a day and were the only visitors with the exception of a couple of ATVer's from Fort Worth.

Silver is unique among the high basins in the San Juans in a couple of respects - it has two lakes and both have turquoise colored waters and the upper lake is flanked on the back wall by a moving "rock glacier". With Silver, the upper and larger lake is as much the story as the wildflowers. Both lakes are easily accessible by 4WD and no uphill treks with your backpacks and tripods is necessary (in response to a question by Darren Kilgore).

As in most of the other high basins, the flowers were prolific and in a prime state. Most notable were the columbines, paintbrush, delpheniums, and alpine sunflowers. Many other species were present but I would need to get my flower ID book out for that. The lake level is down and at it's lowest point in over 15 years according to the visitors from Fort Worth. My last visit was in 2005 at the same point in July and the snow levels this year are a very small fraction of those in 2005.

On the way to the basin, you have to cross two creeks. The first has a bridge and presents no undesirable challenges. The second crosses Silver Creek and determines whether you can continue the journey since there is no bridge. We were luck that the water levels allowed us to continue. A really good photo opportunity presents itself where Silver Creek crosses the road with beautiful waterfalls and cascades on the upslope side of the road. The creek cuts through huge stands of delphenium, bittercress, and marsh marigolds and is great fun to spend time here. There is easy parking for your vehicle and you don't have to go much more than 100 feet from the road to shoot the waterfalls.

Finally, at Silver Basin we saw a lot of wildlife and evidence of a top of the food chain visitor. Mountain lion tracks were evident and plentiful around the shore of the upper lake and one of the members of our group stumbled upon the remnants of a deer that had probably been killed within the past week. It was pretty well chewed out and hidden by brush, grass and leaves. Marmots, pika, and deer were present, as well.

[Darren Kilgore]

Good stuff, Doug. Thanks! Mountain lion tracks? Maybe I won't go!

[Doug Beezley]

Even with the water a bit low and mountain lion presence, I'd go again tomorrow if I were there. Great place with the waterfalls and cascades at the second creek crossing and the turquoise colored lake. The lake's color is its most intense between 9 - 10 am due to sun angle.

[Darren Kilgore]

Even better information. I'm definitely planning to make some time to go there. Thanks again.