Grizzly vs American: the wildflower fight

[daway8]

For those who have hiked Handies, which route offers the better wildflowers? A quick search shows several folks talking up the Grizzly Gulch approach - curious if that's the general consensus or if both routes (or perhaps another) are really good.

Seems like on average, mid-July is most commonly the best time for wildflowers here, though some years a little earlier and others stretching out to August or beyond...

[SnowAlien]

I hiked Whitecross around this time last year from Grizzly gulch and the wildflowers were insanely good! But I think American basin is excellent as well.

[ScottLovesRMNP]

Both sides have awesome flowers. The Grizzly side starts a little lower elevation below tree line and there are a lot of dead trees in there, so I give the edge to American Basin!

[madbuck]

Loop hikes FTW, amiright?

Grizzly Up, American down, possibly hitch when you can (after you descend 3k of course so it counts).

[MidsizeAl]

+1 for "why not both?". I did this last year, just start from Grizzly Gulch and hike the road in the dark. It goes surprisingly quickly. Added Whitecross, found some cool rocks on the saddle. 13 miles RT, 4,300ish vert. Easy peasy. Excellent day!

[E_A_Marcus_949]

"Tour de Handies!" Up Grizzly for those wildflowers + Whitecross (some incredible ones on that slope), down American for those incredible flowers, then walk back to Grizzly Gulch (or if you can, hitch a ride).

[aholle88]

All 3 routes in one shot. Up grizzly, down to American basin trailhead, back up and over the ridge to grouse, down grouse. Reverse the route. Did this last week, highly recommend for those who like to suffer in beautiful places. Straight forward simple route, get all the flowers, all the waterfalls and creeks. Grizzly and Grouse take the cake for wildflowers and just overall scenery, American basin is great as well but too many people take away from the experience a bit. Flowers were at full peak last week all over the Silverton/SJ area.

[daway8]

Well I didn't enable re-voting on this poll but since I was originally in the "thunderstorm" category, I redid this peak as part of my lap 2 project and went up from Grizzly Gulch side and down American Basin side to decide for myself.

The winner: American Basin hands down!!!

The Grizzly Gulch side had a decent display from about 12k - 12,300ft but a majority of the flowers seemed to be the tiny little, round blue and yellow ones that are pretty but just not terribly interesting looking. Did eventually see a decent number of Indian Paintbrush, surprisingly few Columbines overall and just kind of a general lack of the more unique/interesting type flowers.

But American Basin side, from around 12,200ft down close to the trailhead had much better variety with lots of interesting flowers right along the trail where it was easy to frame neat shots.

See example photos from my conditions report - all of which (minus the star shot) were taken in American Basin. I mean the Grizzly side was nice, but if I had it to do over again I don't think I would bother with that side. It's longer, you have to hike further until getting to the flowers, there were less interesting flowers overall and there seemed to be about as many people over there.

Full rankings and pictures here:
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/peakstat ... cnum=30220

[HikesInGeologicTime]

^Counterpoint: the Grizzly Gulch side has an absolute stunner of a lake not too far off the main trail (though the side trail does require a little foreknowledge and/or ability to spot where it crosses a rocky slope up high and willingness to butcher a path up to it), and there are hella columbines along that detour. So no, I am definitely in no way bitter about being scared off by an 8:30 am rainstorm that turned out to be much ado about nothing and thus bailing out on the loop to American Basin, why do you ask?

[Tony1]

Up Grizzly Gulch, down American Basin, then walk or hitch a ride back to Grizzly TH.

But if I had to pick just one...American Basin.

[daway8]

Up Grizzly Gulch, down American Basin, then walk or hitch a ride back to Grizzly TH.

But if I had to pick just one...American Basin.

Yep, that's the route I did but wasn't nearly as impressed with Grizzly Gulch.

...So no, I am definitely in no way bitter about being scared off by an 8:30 am rainstorm that turned out to be much ado about nothing and thus bailing out on the loop to American Basin, why do you ask?

But everyone else on the mountain that day is grateful that you were the "sacrificial hiker" whose turning back guaranteed blue skies for all who proceeded!

[two lunches]

just chiming in for a small shoutout to Grouse Gulch.

it doesn't have the same consistent rainbow of flowers that the other two have, but it is basically carpeted with alpine avens that contribute to a particularly fine shade of San Juan Green.