This is a truly amazing hike on up on Missionary Ridge in the Weminuche Wilderness Area of the San Juan National Forest in Durango, with 360 degree expansive mountain and lake views. The hike is considered moderate (long and high but not difficult) - it is 10 miles, starting out at an elevation of 10,600 feet and climbing to 12,998 feet.
Much of the hike is through beautiful meadows, with rocky ridge-line to your right and tall, skinny lodge pole pines to your left. Babbling mountain streams will appear often, as will the occasional prairie dog. The first lake you will see is Dollar Lake; this is approximately the half-way point of the hike.
As you tread on in the refreshing cool mountain air, you will come to a rather steep but easy climb. Be ready to be blown away once you reach the top of this crest! It feels like you can reach out and touch the majestic Needles (three “Fourteeners” – Eolus, Sunlight and Windom), as well as Pidgeon peak (13,972 ft) and Turret peak (13,835 ft). Wherever you look, you will see peaks beyond peaks through the saddles of these massive mountain ranges.
Once you are able take your focus away from these powerful monsters, you will spot two Caribbean-blue lakes: Ruby and Emerald. These jeweled lakes will come into better focus as you head left ¼ mile to the first rise (12,802 ft). There is a second rise another ¼ mile beyond that, called Overlook Point (12,998 ft). When you get to Overlook Point, you will be able to take in views Pear Lake and Webb Lake.
Much of the hike is through beautiful meadows, with rocky ridge-line to your right and tall, skinny lodge pole pines to your left. Babbling mountain streams will appear often, as will the occasional prairie dog. The first lake you will see is Dollar Lake; this is approximately the half-way point of the hike.
As you tread on in the refreshing cool mountain air, you will come to a rather steep but easy climb. Be ready to be blown away once you reach the top of this crest! It feels like you can reach out and touch the majestic Needles (three “Fourteeners” – Eolus, Sunlight and Windom), as well as Pidgeon peak (13,972 ft) and Turret peak (13,835 ft). Wherever you look, you will see peaks beyond peaks through the saddles of these massive mountain ranges.
Once you are able take your focus away from these powerful monsters, you will spot two Caribbean-blue lakes: Ruby and Emerald. These jeweled lakes will come into better focus as you head left ¼ mile to the first rise (12,802 ft). There is a second rise another ¼ mile beyond that, called Overlook Point (12,998 ft). When you get to Overlook Point, you will be able to take in views Pear Lake and Webb Lake.
