Sunshine Falls (Lake City)

Skip this canyon. With only 3 short low angle rappels, private land at the bottom and an approach that is very much out of proportion, this isn't worth the effort. Sunshine Falls drains the south flank of Sunshine Peak (14,001'), one of Colorado's 54 fourteeners. An ice climb called Pocket Full of Sunshine refers to this route and may be better frozen in winter than it is flowing in summer.

Drive south from Lake City on CO 149. Turn off on CO 30, around Lake San Cristobal. Continue on CO 30 to the right, following the shelf road leading to the trailhead for Handies, another fourteener. Park a Shuttle vehicle at (37.90487, -107.41563) along the side of the road on CO 30, just beyond the private property line. Drive back to the Mill Creek Campground and Park at (37.90684, -107.39267), which is just south of the bridge over Lake Fork before the campground. Hike up the Mills Creek Trail on the north side of the road. This trail is one path to the summit of Sunshine Peak and climbs steeply up the slopes. Depart the trail at an elevation of 11,200' and strike West side hilling over balancing talus fields for 0.9 miles to the descent drainage. This approach is a lot of work for minimal payoff.

Downclimb the first short falls Bypass a low angle slippery cascade DCR, then descend talus and scree for a ways in the canyon to the first rappel. R1: 75' rope for a 50' falls from a deadman anchor. Note the piton and other passive climbing anchors. R2: 95' from willows, two stages R3: 70' from willows

After the final rappel, hug the rock band to stay above the private property line. Traverse more talus slopes for another half mile to the shuttle vehicle parked on CO 30.