Gettin’ Groggy in Lake City, CO

As we drove from Creede to Lake City, we found ourselves virtually alone on this portion of the Silver Thread Highway Silver Thread Scenic Byway | Lake City – A Peak Experience (connecting South Fork – Creed – Lake City); unbelievably beautiful country in September as the fall leaves are changing color and there is snow on the upper peaks. Along this stretch of Highway 149 we stopped at North Creek Falls before ascending Slumgullion Pass, then stopped at Lake San Cristobal Overlook before descending into Lake City. Today we are headed to the Lake City Wine & Music Festival!

Slumgullion Pass (at elevation 11, 530′ it is the steepest grade for a paved road in Colorado) and it is truly amazing! Slumgullion…. Slumgullion… its just FUN to say. I plan to incorporate the word “Slumgullion” into everyday conversation as much as possible! Slumgullion Pass was named by the old time miners for the yellow color of the soil that resembles Slumgullion Stem or “Slum”. 700 years ago, this mass of decomposed volcanic rock created a slide that created San Cristobal Lake, and is still in movement today at a rate of 20 feet per year. Driving through this area, you will notice trees growing at odd angles… this is caused by the slow movement of the Slumgullion rock slide.

Lake City Wine Festival is held the third weekend in September as a “farewell to summer” party. It’s an excellent way to spend a day in the Colorado sunshine with the good people of Lake City (population; 416) and many of them are hosting or enjoying the festival themselves. I thought this was one of the better organized and well run wine festivals I have attended, and since it is a more relaxed small town venue, you can bring coolers, chairs and your own food. You can easily park for free on side streets, and walk in and out of the park with a wrist band. People were friendly and the grounds were kept very clean by the festival crew. Families set up blankets for picnics while kids ran around and played. There were a couple boys who brought a giant stuffed gorilla to play with, but were soon making the rounds (and some good cash) taking pictures with the crowd and the gorilla!

The festival line up hosted six bands that day… all different types of bands and all really great music. We especially enjoyed Cash’d Out, featuring Johnny Cash favorites such as “Ring of Fire” and “I’ve been everywhere”… the crowd was rockin’! There were over 30 wineries represented at Uncorked, and paired with the delicious food from Melty’s (specialty grilled cheese sandwiches such as “The Fig” and “The Pesto”) we were in heaven! The one brewery in town is Lake City Brewery and sadly, we were busy filling our WINE card this time, but we will be back another day to try their beer!

About ten paces from the festival ground is the Lake City board walk where you may leisurely peruse galleries and small boutique shops… all soon to close as the snow approaches in October. The San Juan General Store is a darling store with an old fashioned soda fountain in the back where you can enjoy ice cream sundaes as big as your head or chose from several fabulous flavored malts and milkshakes.