12 replies to this topic

[OklaHiker]

On this day of my trip I was scheduled to hike back to the Glacier Gorge Junction from my campsite at Glacier Gorge and then go to the Loch, Timberline Falls and Sky Pond. However, because of the weather, I didn't get to go to Black Lake the day before. So, I planned to hit Black Lake in the morning and then go to Sky Pond after that. So, I woke up on Monday morning and found myself to be alive and not eaten by bears, which was positive. I also found it to be very cold. So I fixed myself 16 ounces of hot chocolate and set off for Black Lake at around 7:45 or so. Did I mention that it was cold? It had been below freezing that night so the meadows were a little frosty.



On the trail up to Black Lake I met up with a man from Iowa who made an early morning start up the trail. The trail from the Glacier Gorge site to Black Lake is pretty steep at times, but it is really beautiful. You wander along Glacier Creek through beautiful meadows and the walls of Glacier Gorge rising up on both sides and in front of you.

[OklaHiker]

Up and up and up I went. This seemed like the longest 1.2 miles I've ever hiked. But I knew I was getting close when I came to Ribbon Falls.



It was a still a little cold, but it was a beautiful morning and a great day to be hiking in Glacier Gorge. After passing Ribbon Falls and I finally topped the ridge and came to Black Lake. While the lake itself isn't all that impressive, the setting is beautiful. I loved the surrounding cliffs and the view back into the gorge.






After reaching Black Lake I sat down on a rock and ate some peanut butter-filled pretzels which, by the way, aren't really all that good, and enjoyed the view and the pleasant morning. Previously on the trail I had spoken with the gentleman from Iowa about continuing on to Frozen Lake. I really hadn't planned on going to Frozen, but after seeing the cliffs and shelf above Black Lake, I was pretty inspired to go up there. So, after a few more minutes of rest I decided to head on up to the shelf above the lake.

[OklaHiker]

The trail goes around the left side of the lake and follows the creek the flows into Black Lake. It was pretty steep and getting above treeline, but everytime I turned around I had beautiful views of Black Lake.



I finally reached the top and it was just amazing up there. Mountains on three sides, the Spearhead up ahead... I was in love . I decided that I would go ahead and set Frozen Lake as my goal. On the way I went over to the shelf right above Black Lake. The view down was really cool.



The trail is sparse once you get to the shelf above Black Lake. Sometimes there is a trail, sometimes it's just following cairns and sometimes there's nothing at all. I mostly just made sure I was heading in the general direction of the Spearhead.





And, of course, I had to do the "looking back" pose.

[OklaHiker]

Above Black Lake the view to Mills and Jewel is really nice. It was a beautiful, clear day so I could see quite a ways.



Longs Peak


A small lake across the way (Blue Lake maybe?)


After the trail peters out you have to just sort of make your own way up to Frozen. I wasn't sure of the exact route I should take or the exact location of the lake. I just tried take the path with the least resistance and with more gradual slopes instead of the real steep ones. There are some somewhat steep rock slabs to hike up and there was some black ice on some of them.



I finally made it (after stopping to rest and enjoy the views many times) to the top and actually topped out above and to the left of Frozen Lake. It was pretty windy and cold but I had reached my goal!

[OklaHiker]

After I reached the top I got some cold, fresh water from the lake for my filter and rested a bit. Here are a few shots of Frozen Lake.




Now I hadn't exactly planned on hiking to Frozen Lake so I didn't bring very much food with me at all and I was starting to get very hungry. Not just hungry, but hungry and weak and sort of nauseous all at the same time. I was still feeling the effects of the altitude and that was exacerbated by not eating and drinking enough on this strenuous hike. So, the way back down I wasn't feeling all that spry. I'm just glad it was downhill.

Here's a shot just below Black Lake on from the way down.



So, I got back to my campsite around 12:00 and just relaxed there a while. I ate some lunch and took my time breaking down my tent and packing up. I was glad that the campers who had that site reserved for the next night hadn't shown up yet because I didn't feel like being hurried.

After eating and drinking I did begin to feel better and I decided to just hike back to the trailhead and go to Estes Park to eat some good food.

Here's one last shot of the Mills Lake area on the way out.



Overall this little backpacking adventure was a lot of fun and I saw some really awesome stuff. I did learn quite a bit about hydration and nutrition, however. Up in this altitude you've got to eat and drink whether you feel like it or not. So I headed to Estes Park and ate a LOT of food at Casa Grande that night, which was really good

[GLENNinPA]

Thanks for a great report and fantastic photos.
You have really got me stoked for this hike in a few weeks.
That area just looks incredible.

[Rhonda]

Ahhhh, I feel like I had a nice lunchtime hike, no sore legs, no altitude issues, no weather issues. How nice.

I've been only as far as Black Lake, but I sure wish I had pushed myself to go on further. However, like you, I didn't have enough food and water to go any further because I had not originally even planned to go that far, I did Black Lake as an impulse when I got to Mills a lot faster than I planned.

Anyway, great pictures and great trip report.

Rhonda

[OklaHiker]

It is a really incredible area. I forgot to mention that on the way down I kind of lost my route and ended up backtracking several times. Try to remember the way you came up (if it was a good way) so you can backtrack on the way down. I had the pleasure of stepping off a rock into about 4 feet of those alpine shrubs/bushes and fell, cutting my legs and hands all up on that stuff. It's deceptively deep up there

[Weasel]

Nice report and photos. Now I wish I had gone further than Jewel Lake on my hike.

[becky]

OklaHiker,
I really enjoyed reading your trip report and seeing the photos! Brought back some very great memories of last week! We must have been in the park at the same time, we got to the GG campsite on Tues and stayed thru Thurs.
We went up to Blue Lake, but not to Frozen, due to time issues and weather, so it was nice to see your pics (another hike for another time!)

Becky

[kylekadekallie]

Great Pics! Thank you for the report. It will be hard to choose which hikes I will do next time I am there.

[bpv_UW]

What an awesome area. Makes me wish I was back there... Thanks for the photos and report!

-Brandon

[workrelease]

Another super report brutha!
...on to your next one.