Blue Lake-Lower (Sneffels Wilderness)

Distance: 6.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,400 ft - 11,000 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft
Dogs: On leash in the Wilderness Area

The turquoise waters of Lower Blue Lake

Blue Lake, near Ridgeway and Mt. Sneffels (14,150 ft) is a wonderful hike. The surrounding peaks are jagged, the drive in is almost as good as the hike, and it is relatively easy for the area.

Mt. Sneffels (on the left) dominates the view on the drive to the Blue Lakes trailhead

Mt. Sneffels from the trail

I did this hike back in September of 2006 when I flew my parents out for a week of leaf peeping in the San Juans. For fall color, you can't beat the San Juans and Ouray is a great location to try and do it all. On this trip we drove highway 550 and took the Durango-Silverton Railroad. Near the end of the trip, we met a rather nasty snowstorm that made driving 550 to Silverton a white knuckled affair for my father who had to pick my mother and I at the train depot. To this day, he puts highway 550 and Red Mountain Pass as one of the scariest things he has ever done.

A typical trail segment

Another horrible view

The trail to Blue Lake, however, has none of these horrors. Instead, it wanders in and out of towering Spruces with occasional expansive views back out towards Ridgeway as well as up close glimpses of the Sneffels range.

Much of the trail is wide open

Engleman Spruce is the dominate tree on the trail

We only met two other groups on the trail, which was well maintained. With only a few steep sections, we also found it easy to do. You can continue on above the lake to Blue Lakes Pass at 13,000 ft. Since my parents were waiting for me back at the house we rented, I turned around at the lower lake.

Looking back down the trail towards Ridgeway

The lower lake is just beyond those trees

The lower lake itself is small and shallow but a lovely turquoise color. The peak directly in front is dramatic and dominates the scene. Since I did this hike in the fall, all the tundra was golden and this contrasted sharply to the peaks, which had already had their first snowfall. The best views of the lake, are farther up the trail however, so if you do hike to Blue Lakes pass be sure to bring a camera.

Flat tundra dominate the area around the lower lake

If I am in the Ouray area again, I will certainly hike this trail, but I will allow enough time to make it up to the Pass. The views along the way are reportedly very memorable.

A close up the lake and the slopes beyond

Crag Crest

Distance: 10 mile loop
Elevation: 10,152 ft - 11,189 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,037 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Critters: MOSQUITOES
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 1 July 2005

(On left: Butts Lake viewed from the top of the Crag Crest ridge)

Crag Crest is located atop Grand Mesa, one of the largest flat-topped mountains in the world. Grand Mesa is clearly visible from I-70 but its scope must be appreciated up close. There are over 300 lakes on top of Grand Mesa, each one teaming with blood-thirsty mosquitoes ready to drain you to within an inch of your life. While the denizens of Minnesota or Alaska may yawn with ennui at such a declaration, I can assure you, that to a Coloradoan, Grand Mesa is a horrifyingly primeval place. I actually pitched a full-blown girlie fit 5 minutes up the trail and went screaming back to the car in search of DEET and a flame thrower. It was not my finest moment. I wish I could say it was PTSD from all those attempted hikes in the piny woods of Mississippi but the reality is was shear neurosis with a capital N.

To make matters worse, I attempted this trail on a 4th of July weekend (2005), and there was so much tree fall to traverse and so much snow on the route that I had to content myself with an out and back scramble. The potential of the trail was obvious, however. From the top of the crest are stunning views. Whiplash is a hazard as you gaze back and forth between the lakes on the mesa and the rolling hills in the distance.

Upper Eagleston Lake

Bullfinch Reservoir

There are two trailheads for this loop. I started at the east trailhead near Eagleston Lake. There is a campground there but it looked more like a war zone with all the downed trees and pine bows strewn everywhere. It was quite the outward bound adventure to climb over and under the fallen logs while at the same time slapping mosquitoes to the syncopated rhythm of my breathing.

A slushy snowfield on the route up. The dogs liked it more than I did.

The trail, when it was visible was well maintained.

The trip was pre-blog, so I took no careful notes of the route and only a few pictures. Take this post as an incomplete introduction to the area. To date I could not find any other detailed trip reports, so my recollections are better than nothing.

Another view of Butts Lake

The trail does ascend through the trees past Upper Eagleston Lake, a very scenic spot and continues on to Bullfinch Reservoir, which was filled with tree stumps. Beyond this point the trail ascends more sharply up a series of switch backs, some snow covered, to a narrow rocky crest. The trail continues for another 3 miles along this formation. I stopped for lunch near the top. Since I knew the route was blocked at the western end, I turned around about 3.5 miles lamenting the fact that in Colorado July does not always equal summer.

Looking to the north into a narrow but enticing valley

Looking out over another lake

Crag Crest is a classic and I hope to return someday to complete the route. I am sure that with a little more pre-planning and a set of steel lined skivvies it would be a wonderful experience. There are cabins and campgrounds galore on top of Grand Mesa that are worth checking out in their own right.

Looking northeast

Glacier Lilies by the shore of Upper Eagleston Lake.  Note all the snow in the trees.

Jim Creek Snowshoe

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,230 ft - 10,113 ft
Elevation Gain: 883 ft
Dogs: Off leash

Tags: #snowshoe, #winterpark, #coloradooutdoors

A rare glimpse of the mountains to the northeast from the Jim Creek Trail

Jim Creek near the Winter Park Ski Resort is an easy snowshoe suitable for novices or those just beginning their winter conditioning. The trail is wide, well packed, and the elevation gain is extremely gradual. The trail is in the trees most of the time, and we were the only ones in sight. Solitude reigned supreme.

The trail head kiosk

The trail head is located across Highway 40 from the Winter Park Ski Area. The route begins next to the trail head kiosk in the G-parking area of Winter Park. The trail starts to the right on a boardwalk labeled the Discovery Trail. On the other side of the boardwalk, head left. You will pass under a large, cream-colored water pipe shortly thereafter. At 0.8 miles is a four-way junction with a sign for the James Peak Special Protection Area. Continue straight at the junction. At 1.4 miles is an Adopt-a-trail sign, at 2.1 miles the trees close in rather dramatically, at 2.54 miles we hit 10,000 ft, and at 2.8 miles (10,113 ft) we turned around.

The water pipe and National Forest Boundary

While in the trees most of the time there are occasional views of the side valley walls and one nice, but brief view of the summit of James Peak. Being in the trees has one main disadvantage, you are in the shade even if the day is beautifully sunny. It is much harder to stay warm without the welcoming Colorado sunshine.

Still near the parking area, the trail passes by a large picnic ground. The building is a bathroom that was closed.

Dark trees is the norm on the Jim Creek trail

Another open area

The spot at 2.1 miles where the trees close in was very intriguing. The trees seem to double in height and are so close to either side of the trail that I almost felt like walking sideways. The amount of snow bulging from every bough made this gauntlet feel almost cozy despite the chill. A few Starbucks gift cards handing from the branches would have made the experience complete!

The trees start to get taller

Your turn around point is going to be determined entirely by your energy level. Just past 2.6 miles, the trail ascends a series of short switch backs. After this point, however, the trail is more of a bushwhack. There are branches to duck, and the frozen creek is close at hand.

The one decent view of James Peak

The trees close in

Pine Valley Loop

Distance: 8 miles round trip
Elevation: 6,800 ft - 7,900 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft net, 1,300 ft cumulative
Dog: On leash while in the park, off leash outside of it

View to the west from the Strawberry Jack Trail

The Pine Valley Loop is not in anyone's guide book, but it is dog friendly, winds through interesting terrain, and is close to Denver. Like the Gashouse Gulch-Baldy Trail, its topography is dominated by the burnt out remains of a major fire, in this case the year 2000 High Meadows Fire. At times the landscape is stark and foreboding and at other times, with the help of a little snow on the ground, it is serene and filled with abstract images. Since the elevation is relatively low, it is a great shoulder season hike. We did it on Thanksgiving day and there was a little too much snow on the ground, which made for some slippery descents. Snow this early is unusual, however.

Map of the Pine Valley Ranch Open Space Park showing the Pine Lake Loop and the Park View Trail

Heading along the south side of the lake. Note that the trail on this side is full of snow while the other side of the lake is clear.

The Pine Valley Loop hike is actually a series of five trails, the Pine Lake Loop in the Pine Valley Ranch Open Space Park, the Buck Gulch Trail, the Skipper Trail, the Strawberry Jack Trail, and the Park View Trail (again in Pine Valley Ranch). You can take this route in either direction, but going counter clockwise (the Buck Gulch side) means you'll come down the view laden Park View Trail at the end.

A burnt out snag on the Buck Gulch Trail

The shadows cast by the snags on the snowy hillsides made for an engaging abstract landscape.

If taken counter clockwise, the loop starts out on the short Pine Lake Loop (0.4 miles from the parking lot), which travels next to the pleasant, can you guess it...Pine Lake. This segment is in the Pine Valley Ranch Park. At the far end of the lake in an intersection with the Buck Gulch Trail.

A brief glimpse of a health Ponderosa Forest at the intersection of the Buck Gulch Trail and the Skipper Trail

The two peaks in the distance were constantly in view.

The Buck Gulch trail departs to the left and heads immediately up hill for 3 miles and 1,000 ft of elevation gain. As it ascends, the trail winds in and out of the park until it finally departs all together. At this point the dogs are allowed to roam free. The trail is open, even in the unburned areas, with pleasant views to the east. At the end of the trail is a small kiosk and parking area. This is the intersection with the Skipper Trail, which heads to the east. It is also the highest point of the loop at 7,900 ft.

Rock formations on the Strawberry Jack Trail

My friends Kate and Elaine at our lunch spot

The Skipper Trail starts out in a unburned portion of the forest, and it large Ponderosa Pines provide a hint of what the area used to be like. Only 1.2 miles long, the trail descends 250 ft but regains 100 ft of that before it dead ends into a 3-way intersection with the Homestead Trail that heads southeast and the Strawberry Jack trail which heads north.

The intersection of the Strawberry Jack Trail and the Park View Trail

Just before heading down the steep side of the Park View Trail

The Strawberry Jack trail travels 2.2 miles before the intersection with the Park View Trail. It winds primarily downwards through large rock formations. We stopped to eat lunch on one pile with views in all directions. In the dead of summer this spot would be a broiler, but on a mild November day it was delightful.

This shot shows the nice view one gets on the Park View Trail but only hints at the iciness we encountered.

There are two options for final pitch back to the car, the Park View Trail or a continuation of the Strawberry Jack Trail. The latter ends up back on the Buck Gulch trail so you repeat some of the route. The Park View Trail is totally unique and has amazing views of the Pine Valley Ranch Park and lake. On most days this is recommended. On the day we did it, it was so slick with ice, we finally resorted to glaceed down on our tushes.

Map of the Buffalo Creek area showing the Pine Valley Loop and the extent of the High Meadows fire

Some people find hiking through burn areas to be either unappealing or downright disturbing. I disagree. Seeing how nature springs back from a burn is an interesting lecture in ecology and the realization that this process is slow is a moral tale we can all benefit from. Colorado is particularly prone to fire and many of the more recent ones have been caused by arson. Only by walking through these areas do we remember these events. The headlines disappear far too quickly.

Lost Lake Snowshoe

Distance: 6 miles round trip (from winter trail head)
Elevation: 8,810ft-9,780ft
Elevation Gain: 940 ft

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is a popular, close to Denver, snowshoe that won't take you all day to get to or to complete. The route can be confusing, however, because all the guide books indicate that it is six miles but when you look on a map you see that it is only 2 miles round trip from the official trail head. This confusion results from the fact that they do not plow the road past the town of Eldora and the winter route is measured from the berm where the plows stop. Some brave folks drove over this berm, but we decided to park in the plowed zone.

Just past the berm, heading up the road to Hessie

The well tracked intersection of the Hessie and 4th of July roads

It is not nearly as monotonous as one would think walking up the snowy road. The views are open and there are several obvious milestones. The first of these is the road junction that splits the Hessie and 4th of July approaches. Within a mile of the lake itself is the actual summer trail head.

A small lake that the summer road would normally pass

One of several bridges. This is the most obvious one.

There is a half mile stretch before the summer trail head when the route leaves the road and travels through the woods. This is to avoid a large frozen expanse of water. In snow, I could not tell in what direction the road itself goes.

The beginning of the scenic switchback

The most scenic portion of the trail is a large switchback that passes a just visible cabin. The hillside that the road traverses has nice views of the surrounding valley. The remainder of the trail is surrounded by trees with occasional open vistas.

Crossing a snow covered stream

The lake itself is very scenic. Large boulders dot the edges, which add foreground contrast to the photographs. Large peaks dominate the northern view and can be reflected in the water at certain times of the day and warmer times of the year.

This boulder could have seated four people easily. There are also boulders closer to shore.

The downside to any snowshoeing on the eastern side of the divide is the wild down sloping wind. If you are not prepared, the wind can freeze the eyeballs in your head. I bought ski goggles to prevent this phenomenon but fortunately did not need them this day. A thermos of hot chocolate or tea is also a necessity in this area. The winds can come up suddenly too, so don't be fooled by the benign stillness, be prepared.

Looking down the lake from the direction we came

This was my first time at Lost Lake and while it is not the prettiest routes I have ever taken (those are in Summit County), it is close, which sometimes is the most important thing.

Brown grasses cling to the ice. In spring these will turn a lovely shade of green.