Comments on: Cow Creek Bushwhack

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:01:44 +0000

Thanks for the TR, Jack. Love your photography, as always.

By: Jack Brauer

Jack Brauer — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:33:46 +0000

Wow, great story! Hellish indeed.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:13:47 +0000

Fer and Jack,

wanting to do what you accomplished. Was woundering about the crack you climbed. Did Perterson solo the crack or did he use some protection on the way up? How long of rope did you use? How would you rate the climb, 5.??. Also, thinking of going in late August when the creek is running low and wading up the creek in some of the hard sections. That worked for us during the first two miles up Cow Creek but we did not go any further. Jack awesome photos you have a real talent and determination!

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:21:05 +0000

I love the water fall.. I do believe the plant is a Stinging Nettle.. it is part of the mint family and has some herbal use.. Though it stings like a bugger.. lol

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:45:46 +0000

What I suggest doing is going through wildhorse creek and go around to wildhorse peak where you can easily get to the source of cow creek. It is a pretty cool walk and time consuming but well worth it.

By: fer

fer — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:56:12 +0000

it was 35 years ago – reading you notes it seems like yesterday….the most appalling miserable time of my life – while on a Colorado Outward Bound course with instructor Don Peterson, we treked the very same path in pouring rain that never let up. After several days we met the end of Cow Creek where things seemed doomed. Our intrepid instructor however knew no such thing as defeat. We actually DID make it out and into the alpine beyond = Peterson free climbed up a crack in the rock face on the left side. Our 50lbs (average) packs were tied and pulled up by rope. And then one by one we free climbed up the crack and out of that hellish canyon. I think of that trip often – and the people with me – wet, tired, discouraged. I often wonder where they are all today, and if it made them “different” as well…..I know I’ll never forget….

By: Ouray-Uncompahgre Loop | Mountain Photographer

Ouray-Uncompahgre Loop | Mountain Photographer — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:29:55 +0000

[...] so beautiful right now, with lush green grass and wildflowers popping up everywhere. In contrast to last week’s brutal bushwhack, this trip was a stroll through paradise. I was practically ecstatic as I walked through one [...]

By: Jesse

Jesse — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:21:36 +0000

Oh man, I wish I had known you were headed up there. I’ve heard from others that have tried that hike. That was after I contemplated hiking down the canon during one of my trips in the area. Now I feel even better about bailing on the thought. But yeah, congrats on making it as far as you did. Seriously impressive. No matter the end result, walking where few have tread is something to remember.

I’ve driven up the road in that canyon. Very nice in the fall, by the way.

By: Dave aka: Wally Showalter

Dave aka: Wally Showalter — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:59:54 +0000

Welcome back, feral photographer. Imagine how boring the world would be if you weren’t out there pushing the envelope and showing us stuff that we would otherwise never know about?! Your geology and dead end falls shots are fascinating. Future adventures will be a piece of cake after “the mother of all bushwacks!” Congrats on making it to the dead end!

By: Jack Brauer

Jack Brauer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:50:12 +0000

Hi David – My gear wasn’t too bad on this trip – I just brought a little dSLR and small Gitzo tripod, and the usual camping gear, including a 2 lb. TarpTent.