Clear Creek (San Juan Mountains)

An avalanche in Clear Creek during the 2018-2019 winter followed by the Ice Fire in October 2020 has rendered this descent not what it formerly was. The Quality Star rating for this descent is unreliable as it may not reflect current post-avalanche and post-fire conditions.

For a full descent, set up a car shuttle. Leave a car at the bottom in the busy Ice Lake Trailhead Parking Lot. Drive up the dirt high clearance 4x4 switchbacks to Clear Lake.

Upper Clear Creek This part of the canyon is open and slippery. The views are the best asset. R1: 100' R2: 100' R3: 50' R4: 45' R5: 60' Middle Clear Creek This section had been the recommended section when it was free of debris and hidden in the forest. For a short day out, descending just Middle Clear Creek can be accomplished by parking at the switchback at the top, exiting at the bridge and walking the road uphill to the cars. The 4x4 switchback near the bridge is signed for No Parking. Middle Clear Creek could be an option on a rainy day as the summer water flow and the commitment are both low. R6: 120' (2022) Rappel into the corridor (was: rappel a full 200'/60m rope to a tree wiped out by the avalanche) R7: downclimb through branch rubble (2022) (was: 140' from the tree mid-corridor around a bend in the stream course) R8: 90' (2022) to the bridge (was: rappel 170' from above bridge to the bottom of the waterfall below the bridge) Lower Clear Creek R9: unknown after avalanche (was: rappel 50' from tree in Canyon Center to the start of The Confluence) Confluence with Ice Lake Creek The nature of the canyon changes with the rock band and the extra water from Ice Lake Creek. Re-assess the water volume in early season or after rains. Escape up the hillside canyon left if deemed too much. Otherwise complete the course to the road below.