Upper Straight Creek

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 11,158 ft - 12, 713 ft (highest point to the north on the ridge)
Elevation Gain: 1, 555 ft
Date Hiked: 25 July 2015
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Tags: #coloradooutdoors #hiking #nature #tundra #summitcounty

The view looking west from the Continental Divide on the Upper Straight Creek Trail

Upper Straight Creek is a high altitude frolic, starting from one Colorado's most counter intuitive places...I-70's Eisenhower Tunnel. Most people who barrel through the tunnel on the way to Silverthorne never realize that there is a parking area and trailhead just to the right as you exit westbound. There is a green sign that says "Truck Break Check", that marks the turnoff.  East bound travelers can circle up and behind the tunnel entrance on a small service road, which dumps you right at the parking area. 

Parking at the Trailhead

Heading up the service road

Red Indian Paintbrush dominated the lower section of the trail.

After 0.5 miles on a paved and then gravel road,  the trail travels northward from the tunnel into a deep alpine drainage and then switchbacks up an old wagon road until it reaches the Continental Divide at 2.5 miles.  Note at 1.2 miles is the first switchback marked by a large cairn. At this location, there is also a social trail that continues into the back bowl.

Starting out on the single track

Looking at the back bowl

On the switchback heading south

From the Continental Divide (12,535 ft) one can admire the upper bowls of the Loveland Ski area, hike north to Hagar Mountain or south along the ridge line. On this trip we headed south for eye popping views of the Gore Range, Ten Mile Range, Holy Cross Wilderness, Grays and Torreys, and Mt. Sniktau.

Frosty Ball Thistle and Purple Fringe in a wildflower tableau

In summer, Indian Paintbrush, Purple Fringe, and the freaky Frosty Ball Thistle cover the landscape. Because the route follows an old wagon road, the grade is fairly easy. A social trail heads off to the back bowl for those who want a longer hike, or who don't want to climb to the ridge.

Approaching the ridge

Alpine Sunflower

Sitting on the ridge looking at Grays and Torreys, two popular 14ers

This area is entirely above treeline and notorious for thunderstorms, so check the forecast carefully before choosing this spot. Parking is limited in the area as well.

On the ridge heading towards our high point

On the ridge, looking west

On the ridge looking south

Dumont Lake and the Continental Divide Trail

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,620 ft - 9,940 ft
Elevation Gain: 505 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at trailhead: Yes, within the Dumont Lake Campground
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 5 July 2014
Critters: Mosquitoes by the swarm

Dumont Lake, on Rabbit Ears Pass will make your eyes pop!

In spring, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) near Dumont Lake is a study in the primary colors of green and blue. The wide open meadows surrounding the lake are off-to-see-the-wizard green while the sky above is that deep Colorado blue that is the envy of much of the world. Together they are almost too dazzling to behold, a summer tableau that will make you forget that winter is only six months away.

Satellite image of the area showing the lake, picnic grounds, campgrounds, and trail (starts near the tent icon)

Small parking area at the nondescript trailhead

Heading out on the double track trail that parallels the lake

Dumont Lake is located 22 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs on Highway 40 in the wide open expanse of Rabbit Ears Pass. Turn north on Forest Service Road 315 and follow the signs to the Dumont Lake Campground, about a mile off the highway. Note the lake itself is in the picnic grounds, but the trail starts in the back loop of the campground. There is a small trail sign and parking for two cars parallel to the road.

Green and blue are the dominate colors of Dumont Lake.

Lupine

From this nondescript beginning, follow the double track trail that parallels the lake. You can't get to the shore, unless you want to slog through knee-deep marsh for 50 yards or so, but the views of the lake and the sky are worth staying back a little.

Heading up into the trees

Out of the trees and entering another large meadow

It takes a mile to traverse the shoreline to where the aptly named Muddy Creek flows into it from another large bog. Don't be surprised when the trail crosses the creek and heads sharply uphill into the trees, it will soon head north again.

The trail skirts the edge of this endless meadow that could hold a couple of herds of elk!

Glacier Lillies, a moisture loving flower covered the meadow so we knew the snow had just melted.

From this point on the trail wanders in and out of meadows and stands of pine that even in early July were filled with snow drifts, dead fall, knee-deep puddles, and obligatory mosquitoes. It wasn't until 2.5 miles in that we finally gave up. I don't know how all the mountain bikers were managing given that we were detouring every 30 yards and climbing over downed trees. Later in the year, when the Forest Service has cleaned up the trail, you can continue northwards on the CDT towards Steamboat Springs or turn right off onto the Forest Service Road 315 for a loop hike. Most of the bikers were attempting this route. They seemed to be happier the more heavily coated in mud they were.

An easily passable section where the trees across the trail had been cut and the snow had melted. Deeper in the forest that was not the case.

Our turn around point. That is the trail ahead, both underwater and blocked by a snow bank with a Fir tree on top of it.

In winter, Rabbit Ears Pass is a snowmobilers paradise but in summer it is a haven for campers and the occasional Moose. The CDT here is easy and suitable for novice hikers. Just be prepared to have company. With this kind of scenery next to a campground, you won't be alone! If you want to spend time at the lake, visit the picnic grounds. Be advised there is a day use fee there.

Lake Ann

Distance: 7.6 miles round trip (from 4x4 trailhead) 11.6 miles round trip otherwise
Elevation: 10,560 ft - 11,811 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,251 ft
Date Hiked: 23 June, 2012
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: On leash, Collegiate Wilderness Area
Tags: #hiking, #coloradooutdoors, #mountianlake, #gearguide
Nearby Hikes: Ptarmigan Lake

The aqua shaded waters of Lake Ann just below the Continental Divide in the Collegiate Wilderness

Lake Ann in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness located between Leadville and Buena Vista is a spectacular alpine lake surrounded by peaks, peaks, and more peaks. It is not the easiest place to get to but if you don't mind slogging an extra 2 miles each way, you can do it without a high clearance 4x4. I recommend begging a friend with a jeep to take you there, however so you can spend more time at the lake and less time eating dust on a boring dirt road.

The parking area

Looking back north from the parking area

Lake Ann has been on my do list for a long time but ever since I climbed Hope Pass as part of the Leadville's 100 Hopeless Crew, I have wanted to see the Collegiate Peaks area. It was stunning from the pass and no less stunning on the 12 mile dirt road we had to drive to get to the small ghost town of Winfield, where incidentally the runners turn around to run back up to Hope Pass. After seeing that climb from the bottom, I have even more respect for those guys! This road, Hwy 390, is well marked with a sign and is south of Twin Lakes on the way to Buena Vista. This first part of the drive is passable with a passenger car but is still rough and washboardy and will rearrange your internal organs if you go too fast.

The trailhead. The route to Huron Peak is to the left and the route to Lake Ann is behind the sign.

At 0.9 miles you pass into the Collegiate Wilderness

There is a large parking lot with port-o-lets at Winfield for those who can not drive any further. This is one of ways to climb Huron Peak (14,009 ft). To get to Lake Ann however, you need to hike or drive further up the road. Believe me when I say you don't want to take your Acura on this drive. The road undulates with deep ditches and crosses more than one stream. It is not a difficult 4x4 road, but it is tedious and will feel like it is going on forever. The trailhead is obvious, however with a dozen or more like minded 4x4 owners crammed into a small area. This is also the main trailhead for Huron Peak, so expect a crowded parking lot.

The route will take us up this valley

A typical trail segment for the first flat part of the route

At the southern end of the parking area is a large trail sign and gate. The trail up Huron Peak heads to the left while the trail to Lake Ann heads straight ahead. The trail is actually part of the Continental Divide Trail and CD signposts will be found periodically along the route. The day we did this hike it was soul-sucking hot even though the elevation starts out at 10,000 plus feet. So, even though the first 1.7 miles of the route is practically flat, we found ourselves dawdling as we lingered in any shady spot we could find. This initial segment weaves in and out of sun baked meadows or large stands of Fir and Spruce and the meadows were decidedly toasty.

The Three Apostles come into view in one of the open meadows

The trail junction between the Apostles Trail to the left and the Lake Ann Trail to the right

At 1.6 miles is the split between the Lake Ann/CD Trail to the right and the Apostles Trail to the left. A large sign marks this junction, so it is impossible to miss. The Apostles are the three large peaks that dominate the view as you head down the valley. I have never done the Apostles Trail, but need to add that to my list. Note that the lake is not below the Apostles, but an unnamed 13er that can be seen to the right.

The South Fork of Clear Creek crossing

You can tell by the lush understory of the second half of the trail that this area normally is cooler and wetter than the day we hiked it.

Once past the junction, the trail descends briefly to cross over the South Fork of Clear Creek on three somewhat bouncy logs. Not the easiest of crossings but doable. From this point on, the trail starts to climb steadily upwards and stays in the trees as it does so. Even with all the shade, we were still roasting. Finally, we stopped at a creek and dunked our heads and bandanas, which gave us some relief. Climbing upwards helped as well.

The waterfall is in the rocks just ahead

Huron Peak as the trail begins to break out of the trees

At 3.2 miles, the route crosses the creek again at a small waterfall. This crossing might be more difficult in heavy runoff years, but in 2012 was hardly an issue. Shortly after the waterfall the route climbs very steeply up a ridge until it finally breaks out of the trees and begins a series of switchbacks up a tundra face with ever increasing views of the valley below. At 3.7 miles is a fork in the trail. Take the left to the lake which is just ahead and slightly downwards or continue right to reach the Continental Divide, another 800 ft higher.

The trail starts to switchback just head. The views are stunning at this point.

The trail to the left leads to the lake. The trail to the right heads up to the Continental Divide.

Lake Ann itself is a serene destination with its aqua shaded waters and grasses growing along its edges. It was finally cool and all I wanted to do was lounge with my back to a rock and feed. It was a slow, hot, slog up to the lake and I was seriously hungry.

Lake Ann

Grasses growing along the edge of the lake. Someday the lake will be gone and all that will be left is a meadow.

I confess that my favorite part of trip was not the lake itself, but the views back down the valley. Huron Peak is this perfectly cone-shaped mountain and it dominates the view, but the distant views of Mt. Blaurock and Mt. Ervin, both 13ers, was as stunning as the view from a top Hope Pass. The Collegiate Wilderness does live up to its fame as a scenic wonderland. I would love to visit in the fall!

While early in the season, a few wildflowers were beginning to pop along the shore.

The lake from another angle.

If you can get to the trailhead, a trip to Lake Ann a quintessential Colorado experience. The heat we experienced is in fact very unusual and I would normally plan on chillier conditions and a downright chill at the lake. The trip seemed much harder that it normally would be given the distance and elevation gain and I do blame the heat for that. We are just not used to it. On the day we hiked, it was still close to 80 degrees at 6 PM in the evening and must have gotten into the 90s during the day. Denver by contrast was having record heat in the 100s. So don't let my grumblings deter you. Lake Ann is wonderful hike!

My favorite view...looking back down the valley.

A shot of the author to satisfy her parents who never get to see her in these posts.

A parting view of the Three Apostles and the unnamed peak to the right that is our destination. Later in the evening, the light was less harsh, but the temps back down in the valley were still uncomfortable.