Crater Creek

A dirt road accessed tributary of Lime Creek in an aspen forest to an generally open descent with few narrow sections including deep pools.

without car shuttle: Driving: South on Hwy 550 (aka the Million Dollar Highway) from Silverton, CO. Turn Left on Lime Creek Rd, (aka Co Rd 1 = Forest Road 591). Park across from where Crater Creek enters Lime Creek. Hiking: A short two-track departs the road heading down to Lime Creek. This makes a good start to the approach. Make your way down a steep gully to Lime Creek, cross it, and proceed upstream in Crater Creek. Seek a talus slope on the north side (rappeller’s left) to gain higher ground and the bushwhack approach through an aspen forest. (Note: the most confident climber may wish to drop a rope for other group members while they stay carefully out of the way to dodge loose rocks. Continue up the hillside to the top of a side drainage avoiding a large blowout near the drop in. Drop in at [N 37deg 41’20.5” W 107deg 44’03.8”] with car shuttle: Driving: Stash the lower vehicle in the above location and then drive back to the Andrews Lake Trailhead to start your hike. Hiking: Follow the trail to Crater Lake and stream walk until the rappels begin or find a quicker descent path down a gulch, cutting off some mileage to the lake.

Hike up to the road and the parked car opposite where Crater Creek intersects Lime Creek.