15 replies to this topic

[ScottO]

Hi Folks,

Here's a recap of our recent August 2011 trip to Colorado. It was a 2 week visit with the first 5 nights in Silverthorne, CO and the rest in Grand Lake and Estes Park. We started with a group of 6: Sandy, me, Ali, Susan (Sandy's sister), Terry (Susan's husband), and Kristin (Iceberg). On day 6, Sandy, Kristin, and I left Silverthorne for a 3 night stay in Grand Lake followed by a 6 night stay in Estes Park. Ali, Susan, and Terry returned home from Silverthorne on day 7.

Day 1 – Sandy, Ali, and I spent the day driving from Burnsville to Silverthorne. We started at 6:15AM and arrived a little after 8:30PM. We were the last to arrive.

Day 2 – We climbed Buffalo Mountain. A climb of about 6 miles round trip with 3,000ft of gain to 12,500ft. This hike started with a steady climb through thick coniferous forest, then made a steep climb up a talus field on a well defined route (many cairns), and finished with an easier tundra trail to the summit. Weather was excellent.

Day 3 – We hiked on a jeep trail to Radical Hill. This one was 5-6 miles with a gain of 1,400ft to roughly 12,500ft. Weather was excellent.

Day 4 – We climbed Quandary Peak, a 14er topping out at 14,265ft. Susan and I took the standard class 1 east ridge, while Sandy, Ali, and Terry climbed the challenging class 3 west ridge and descended the east ridge. The east ridge is 6.75 miles round trip with 3,450ft of gain; the west ridge is 2 miles one-way with 2,650ft of gain. Kristin took the day off. Weather was excellent.

Day 5 – We hiked to Chihuahua Lake. It's 6.5 miles round trip and about 1,400ft of gain to 11,900ft. Sandy, Kristin, and I did this one, everyone else took the day off. There were numerous stream crossings, including one that required wading. The first 2 miles were along a jeep trail, and the rest was on a good hiking trail. There was a short scramble up steep, loose terrain to reach the beautiful Chihuahua Lake. Weather was excellent.

Day 6 – We hiked to the Mohawk Lakes and a few unnamed lakes beyond them. Since Sandy, Kristin, and I were heading to Grand Lake this day, we didn't want a long hike. This hike is about 7 miles round trip to the upper Mohawk Lake. Fortunately on day 5, Terry was able to determine that we could ride his pickup truck on a jeep trail and shorten the distance by 3-4 miles. This meant we would have plenty of time to extend to the lakes beyond, which added back a few miles, and still have time to reach Grand Lake before dark. There were old mining ruins and cabins. The lower part of the trail was steep as it climbed near Continental Falls. Weather was excellent though it clouded up and sprinkled briefly on the return.

Day 7 – From now on it was just Sandy, Kristin, and me. This day we hiked along the East Inlet trail. I lagged behind due to picture taking. Sandy and Kristin made it out to Fourth Lake and turned back when the trail got too wet. I met them about halfway around Spirit Lake and returned with them. Weather was excellent.

Day 8 – Kristin and I drove up to the Alpine Visitors center. On the return, we stopped at several TH's and took pictures and a few short walks. Sandy took a rest day. Sandy and Kristin have a big hike on day 9. Later, I took another ride up TRR and stopped at a couple of places for pictures. Weather was excellent.

Day 9 – Kristin and Sandy were up very early to meet Igloo Ed at the Milner Pass TH at 5:00AM. From there, they drove to the Forest Canyon overlook to start their hike down through the canyon and back up to the Gorge Lakes. I stayed behind and did laundry and cleaning before checking out of the rental cabin. I spent quite a bit of time traversing TRR. The weather was generally cloudy with occasional light rain and sprinkles. Although they didn't experience anything that required rain gear. Up on TRR, it was also quite breezy keeping it a bit on the chilly side. Eventually I made it to the other side and decided to add Lily Mountain to my day. I didn't stay long on the summit as dark rain clouds were heading my way. After a quick descent, I headed for our east side cabin. Just as I finished unloading the car, Kristin and Sandy arrived.

Day 10 – After a big hike on day 9, Sandy and Kristin took rest a day. I decided to have a relaxing photography day so I hiked from the Storm Pass TH to Bear Lake via the Boulder Brook and North Longs Peak trails. Weather was excellent.

Day 11 – Sandy and Kristin were up early again for a big Wild Basin lake mania hike. They started at the Wild Basin TH, hiked to Bluebird Lake, up to Pipit and the other lakes above Bluebird, then continued through the pass and down to Box and Eagle lakes, eventually making their way to Thunder Lake before returning to the TH. Roughly 16-18 miles and a few thousand in elevation gain. It was a hike I'd like to do, but, for what ever reason, it just didn't inspire at this time. I decided to see Sprague Lake at sunrise for the first time and then hike Joe Mills Mountain from Bear Lake. Part way up Joe Mills, the weather turned bad. After some hail and rain, I returned to Bear Lake only to arrive there under sunny skies. So I came up with another hike; I parked at Tuxedo Park, crossed the road and climbed up on the south lateral moraine. Once on the crest, I continued along the moraine to its junction with Steep Mountain. From there, I climbed Steep Mountain. The weather was generally good, but there were a few sprinkles along the way. Upon reaching the summit, I could see rain once again heading my way. So, after a few snap shots, I descended to the Hollowell Park shuttle stop for a ride back to Tuxedo Park. Wild Basin weather was mostly good except for some brief, light rain.

Day 12 – After a couple of lighter days, I hiked Hagues and Rowe Peaks while Sandy and Kristin took a rest day. Roughly 18-20 miles with about 5,400ft of gain. I almost turned back at Lawn Lake due to a thunderstorm. I waited it out and had sunny skies when I continued past Crystal Lakes to The Saddle. Again, I almost turned back as another storm cloud arrived just as I reached Hagues' west ridge. It was short lived and had no lightening, so I waited again and then continued to the summit in clearing weather. I joined a couple also heading for the summit. Two other hikers joined us on the summit, arriving from Mummy Mtn. We all decided to climb Rowe Peak. From there, I continued with the pair I'd first met, on a long hike around the east side of Mummy Mtn and down to the Black Canyon trail. Weather was excellent the rest of the day.

Day 13 – Sandy and Kristin hiked to Spectacle Lakes from the Lawn Lake TH. Ten miles round trip with 2,800ft of gain. I didn't want to get up as early, nor to try and keep up after my long day 12. I went for a photography day starting with sunrise pictures at the cabin and Moraine Park. Then I spent some time at Upper Beaver Meadows and finished up with a nice stroll around Sprague Lake. Weather was excellent.

Day 14 – Our last day of hiking. We all started at Glacier Gorge TH. We hiked to Mills Lake together where Sandy set her own pace for a climb of Pagoda Mountain. About 12.5 miles round trip with 4,400ft of gain. Kristin and I slowed to a casual pace stopping frequently for picture taking. We stopped Black Lake for a break and decided that was far enough. We took our time on the way back with a long break at Mills Lake and then a short wait for Sandy's return at the TH. The weather was mostly good.

Day 15 – On the road home, leaving a little after 5:00AM and arriving home about 9:00PM.

Another successful Colorado/Rocky visit.

ScottO

[DeeCeeM]

I'm exhausted just reading all that!

It sounds like a fabulous trip. Way to go!

[mwilson]

Sounds like a great trip to me. I look forward to seeing some of those pictures you took! I admire your ability to travel all the way from MN to Co and then back in one day. We used to do it, but not anymore.

[Mark Zemmin]

That is a crazy amount of hiking, but impressive

[dianeh85]

You guys are animals!!

[iceberg]

DeeCeeM, on 04 September 2011 - 06:40 PM, said:

I'm exhausted just reading all that!

Me too, because I remember it all!

[mathguy]

ScottO, on 04 September 2011 - 05:33 PM, said:

Day 14 – Our last day of hiking. We all started at Glacier Gorge TH. We hiked to Mills Lake together where Sandy set her own pace for a climb of Pagoda Mountain. About 12.5 miles round trip with 4,400ft of gain. Kristin and I slowed to a casual pace stopping frequently for picture taking. We stopped Black Lake for a break and decided that was far enough. We took our time on the way back with a long break at Mills Lake and then a short wait for Sandy's return at the TH. The weather was mostly good.

I need a nap just reading that, but before I doze off I want to know if Sandy went up Pagoda from
Green Lake (or in that vicinity). I was at Green lake a few weeks ago looking at Pagoda, but
the slope up looked like a loose, scree-filled mess. I'm curious as to what Sandy thought of it
(if that was indeed her approach route).

All in all you guys did great!

[soatley]

mathguy, on 05 September 2011 - 12:25 PM, said:

I need a nap just reading that, but before I doze off I want to know if Sandy went up Pagoda from
Green Lake (or in that vicinity). I was at Green lake a few weeks ago looking at Pagoda, but
the slope up looked like a loose, scree-filled mess. I'm curious as to what Sandy thought of it
(if that was indeed her approach route).

All in all you guys did great!

Well.....I saw the same scree-filled mess which is the recommended route up Pagoda. Since I never follow the usual path, I went up slabs the whole way. I angled to the right around the buttress and just kept going. It was a little dicey at times. Someone taller probably would have been able to find good hand holds the whole way. I went down the standard mess route. I will get a trip report done just for you.

Sandy

[iceberg]

soatley, on 05 September 2011 - 05:10 PM, said:

I went down the standard mess route.

That's what you always do

[JDgreen]

Thanks for the wrap up Scott! Quite the Trip!

[Igloo Ed]

You guys had a great trip! That's as much as I pack into a whole summer..

[Rhonda]

Unbelievable.

[iceberg]

Igloo Ed, on 06 September 2011 - 10:08 AM, said:

You guys had a great trip! That's as much as I pack into a whole summer..

So NOW do you understand why I was so exhausted towards the end??

[soatley]

iceberg, on 06 September 2011 - 12:28 PM, said:

So NOW do you understand why I was so exhausted towards the end??

Ya, but aren't you like half Ed's age? and twice as tall?

You need to push harder next year, Kristin.

[mathguy]

soatley, on 05 September 2011 - 05:10 PM, said:

Well.....I saw the same scree-filled mess which is the recommended route up Pagoda. Since I never follow the usual path, I went up slabs the whole way. I angled to the right around the buttress and just kept going. It was a little dicey at times. Someone taller probably would have been able to find good hand holds the whole way. I went down the standard mess route. I will get a trip report done just for you.

Sandy

I'll look forward to it. Thanks!

Kevin