Five Miles up Three Mile Creek

“The journey, not the destination matters.” — T.S. Eliot

After postponing this hike the week before due to rain, we arrived early the next week to a gorgeous Colorado bluebird day.  This time we were blessed to have both of our daughters home for a visit. With one married now and one soon to start military service we do not take lightly another opportunity to hike together again as a family.

The Three Mile Creek trail starts out by crossing a bridge over Geneva Creek and paralleling the Guanella Pass Road for a half mile before recrossing both the creek and the highway to join the namesake creek.  From that point on the trail crosses the creek no less than sixteen times in the next three miles over two-log bridges.  The sound of rushing water is constant, with every crossing revealing another bubbling cascade.  Not enough drop to be classified as waterfalls but lovely nevertheless.  Aspen trees proliferate here which explains the popularity of this trail in the Fall.  On this June day it provided a shady, peaceful, walk in the woods.

About a mile up the creek we passed under a huge rock which reminded us of the old Fanny Crosby hymn:  “He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock.”  I always note such places along a trail and have taken shelter more than once from rain or even hail.  Although it was not physically necessary on this day, the spiritual lesson was not lost amid all the stress of 2020.

Another mile brought us to a huge beaver dam and lodge.  I’ve seen some mammoth man-made dams crossing mighty rivers but the engineering of this humble structure was no less impressive than Hoover, Bonneville, or Wheeler.  Fresh aspen stumps nearby indicated that the work is ongoing, but the beavers must have been taking a day off.

After another mile, the trail leaves the creek and ascends steeply up to a shoulder of Mount Logan (12,868 ft), eventually joining the Rosalie trail.  As such, there is not really a single final destination to this hike.  We stopped about five miles in at 11,400 ft,  where the trail takes a sharp left turn to the north.  This allowed us a nice view of some thirteen thousand foot peaks to the west and South Park to the southwest.  If we did this trail again though, I would stop where the trail leaves the creek.  Three mile creek is the main attraction here.

As we returned back down along the creek I wondered how many wonderful trails I have bypassed in favor those that lead to specific destinations.  To be sure we have hiked to some spectacular destinations:  gushing waterfalls, tranquil alpine lakes, panoramic overlooks, and 14,000 foot peaks.  My wife has often said that we don’t always have to hike to a destination; we can just go for a hike.  I have usually been the one who wants to see what is at the end of the trail or the top of the mountain; she is often content just to be in the mountains for the day.  As is so often the case I now think she is right.  The journey is what matters, especially when you walk together with those you love.