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Cannibal Plateau - Colorado

_RG_

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Cannibal Plateau

This trail makes a splendid loop from Hwy 149 just east of Lake City. The maps describe it as “motorcycle only” single track. Might have been at one time - today the quads have put their stamp all over it. Still, it’s a pretty nice ride and makes a great piece for starting a longer loop.

Why “Cannibal Plateau?” Well….

An old prospector named Alfred Packer, it seems…

Alferd_Packer.jpg

Hungry Al

The story goes… “In November 1873, Packer was in a party of 21 men who left Provo, Utah, heading for the Colorado gold country. On January 21, 1874 he met Chief Ouray near Montrose, Colorado. Chief Ouray recommended they postpone their expedition until spring, since they were likely to encounter dangerous winter weather in the mountains.

Ignoring Ouray's advice, Packer and five others left for Gunnison, Colorado, on February 9. The prospectors became hopelessly lost and ran out of provisions. They were snowbound in the Rocky Mountains.

Packer later made three confessions which differed considerably in their description of what happened. In the last, he claimed he went scouting and came back to find Shannon Bell roasting human flesh. When Bell rushed him with a hatchet, Packer shot him. Packer claimed Bell had gone mad and murdered the others.

Packer is widely rumored to have become a vegetarian before his death.


Alferdpackerplaque2.jpg

Their moto…”We serve all mankind.”


Legend has it that Packer's ghost still haunts Lake City.


A quick run to the summit…

[ame="http://youtu.be/WA6Ff2idd08"]Cannibal - YouTube[/ame]



Some views along the way…

C-Plat2.jpg


Looking back toward Lake City and lake San Cristobal.

C-Plat3.jpg


C-Plat1.jpg





And of course… a pinchy flat to celebrate our time on the summit - while watching an approaching storm.

DSCN0645.jpg
 
Cool stuff. We just missed that area on the last trip:doh:. Maybe next time.
Thanks for posting.
 
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