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USGS Quads in order of passage. 1. Granite Peak,  2. Emerald Lake,  3.  Granite Lake,  4. Emerald Lake,            5. Granite Peak

To reach the Pine River trailhead take Hwy 160 from Duranago about 15-miles to Bayfield.  Turn left at a very obvious intersection and follow signs to Vallecito Lake.  Follow the paved road around the top of the lake from west side to east side and as you head south you will be on CR 602.  CR 602 becomes a gravel road.   Follow it to the end.  There is a large parking lot at the trailhead

The trail following the Los Pinos is gentle and very well maintained.  It was our intention to reach Granite Lake and the Divide Lakes but the Los Pinos runs deep and swift in the spring and we could not cross.  This abortive trip was in 1993 and we saw the river even higher in 1996.

However, one cannot have a bad hiking experience in the Weminuche - just one that does not go as planned.  The exception might be finding outfitter trash - which we did at our camp coming down.  We wanted to camp with a view of the falls and of course we found an outfitters or hunters camp at the best campsite.

Aspens in the Weminuche