Mt. Lincoln

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 12,000 ft - 14,286 ft
Elevation Gain: 2,286 ft (net) 2,547 ft (cum)
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Fees: $3 to park near bathroom, you can park down the road if you prefer
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 1 Aug 2013

Looking back towards Mt. Cameron from the summit of Mt. Lincoln

Mt. Lincoln near Alma CO is one of the 54 14,000 ft peaks in the state. Climbing these mountains is huge past time in Colorado and you see every type of person along the way. There are tourists that come here every year just to climb a few and locals who want to bag them all - tattooing the number 54 on their foreheads as a badge of honor everyone will recognize.

The trailhead at 7am on a Thursday

The flat, cushy start of the route. Our destination is beyond the ridge in the distance.

I like climbing 14ers because the physical challenge keeps me in shape all winter. I confess the discrete list allows anal people like myself to start cataloging ascents, reviewing them periodically like stamps in a passport. They are tickets to some of the wildest places on earth, and each one is a milestone to be proud of. There are of course true mountaineers out there that scale the grand peaks of the Himalayas or in Patagonia. I like just being able to wake up one morning and stand on the summit of a mountain without having to trek to the end of the world to do it. This is back yard play for those of us who live here.

And the slog begins

Tallus and skree will be our companions from now on.

The trail to Mt. Lincoln starts at Kite Lake near Alma Colorado. Mt. Democrat, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Bross are three 14ers so close together that many try to do them all in one day. You need good weather to do this and a tendency towards juvenile delinquency since the summit of Mt. Bross is still officially closed as of the date of this post. All of these mountains are riddled with mining tunnels, some only inches from the surface. It has taken a long time and lots of legal wrangling to open them up to public use. The city of Alma actually kicked in liability insurance.

You can see how Kite Lake got its name

Continuing upwards but don't be fooled, the saddle is still far away.

I climbed Mt. Democrat two years ago but did not have decent enough weather to continue and ran into the same problem this time. It seems like the perennial "get an early start" is not a sufficient safety margin anymore. Our once predictable monsoon period has evolved into an erratic you-never-know kind of world where storms can pop up on days foretasted to be half-way dry. It seems like nowadays you either just have to hope you haven't pissed of the gods lately or wait until September when things really dry out. I climbed Square Top Mountain last September and could have stayed on the peak for days.

The saddle comes into view. There are many hikers in the distance. They are dots compared to the scale of the slopes of Mt. Democrat to the left.

On the saddle looking up at the ridge that begins the route to Mt. Lincoln

The initial part of the route to the summit is a 1.5 mile slog up to the saddle between Mt. Democrat and Mt. Lincoln. It is really an unpleasant segment that I have done twice now. The deceiving thing about Mt. Lincoln is that the peak you see from the saddle or from the summit of Mt. Democrat is not even close to the summit, it is just the beginning of the long ridge you have to traverse before you even get to Mt. Cameron, an uncountable 14er.

Finally we start for Lincoln.  This half of the route is much more interesting.

You could not blink without seeing a Pika. They were all over, chirping, feeding and scurrying between the rocks. This one would fit into the palm of my hand.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Colorado's 14ers, there is a nifty rule, probably established by a group of bored bureaucrats, that says no peak can be an "officially" ranked unless it stands alone. It must be 300 feet above the saddle to any other peak and poor Mt. Cameron just doesn't rate. It is only hundred feet or so between Mt. Cameron and the saddle below. While I totally get this rule, they should not have named the peak because everyone is woefully confused by the whole thing. There are plenty of unnamed 13ers out there, they could have just left the bump that is Mt. Cameron alone. 

Looking back on the route. That is the trail up Mt. Democrat in the distance. You can see tiny ants gathered on the summit to the right.

This Marmot was guarding the upper reaches of Mt. Lincoln.

The surprising length of the ridge to Mt. Cameron is one long, continuous, "don't stumble" view of Wheeler Lake to the north with one 30 yard ridge walk with drop offs on either side. While exposed, this is not Devil's Causeway scary because the ridge is wide enough. I did find my vision going in and out of focus, however, as it shifted from the rocks below to the yawning abyss on either side.

We finally crested the ridge that you can see from the saddle only to see this long ridge walk ahead.

Add the ridge still goes on. We thought perhaps it was Mt. Cameron above us, but no.

Don't assume that any of the broad bumps you pass along the way are Mt. Cameron. We kept assuming we had passed it and were on our way to Mt. Lincoln. The summit of Mt. Cameron is broad and flat and you can see the nipple-shaped false summit near Mt. Lincoln clearly in the distance.

The exposure eases but the route continues. That is Mt. Cameron, far in the distance.

Finally on the summit of Mt. Cameron.  The broad summit and small, collapsed cairn is your clue. The summit of Mt. Lincoln is in the distance.

It was on the broad, exposed summit of Mt. Cameron that our hike became an adventure. It was 10am and we had been hiking for several hours when behind us we heard a huge clap of thunder. The multitudes started spinning in circles, acting like a bunch of disturbed fire ants. The reality was at this point we were all totally screwed. Many chose to head back to the trailhead but that was a several hour journey on an exposed ridge walking into the storm. We chose to descend to the other side of Mt. Cameron and hunkered down in a small depression at its base. While the storm blew over us, we watched some hardier folks continue on to the summit and stand there amidst the swirling black clouds. To each their own. Fortunately for us, the storm moved on and we were able to complete the route.

My favorite part of the route, the broad plateau between Mt. Cameron and Mt. Lincoln. What planet are we on?

Standing at the base of the plateau, looking up at the nipple that exists between Mt. Cameron and Mt. Lincoln. 

The saddle between Mt. Cameron and nipple on the way to Mt. Lincoln seemed like something out of a Sci Fi movie.  Desolate and otherworldly, I could have been visiting Planet X, my space ship behind in the distance. The temperature had dropped quite a bit and all the hikers could have been spacemen, bundled up in all their gear. These reflections made me realize that the tops of Colorado's mountains are really worlds apart. Despite the hordes, they are not meant for human visitation.

Crossing the nipple, the summit is in view

The final approach to the summit

Our journey down took longer than expected. Some people can fly down skree in one continuous controlled fall. I am far too Ma Ma for that and take my time, which gets ponderous after a while. Still, the views coming down are very cool and you will want to stop and admire your physical prowess as you see how steep the ascent really was.

The Class II scramble to the summit is not difficult at all and takes seconds to complete.

Wheeler Lake to the northwest viewed from the summit.

So since the weather prevented us from getting anyway near Mt Bross, I will someday have to get back up there. There were plenty of people who made the trek despite the weather and the rules. I sort of envy them. If I do go, however, I will take a different route just for varieties sake.

Obligatory summit shot with my friend Lynn...go girls!!

If you have to choose between Mt. Democrat and Mt. Lincoln, particularly on a day when the weather is threatening, go for Mt. Democrat. You'll be able to descend much faster if you need to. If you are physically up to it, and the Force is with you, do all three in one day. You'll only have to climb to the saddle once. 

Lenawee Trail

Distance: 5.5 miles round trip to our lunch spot, 6.7 miles round trip to the ridge.
Elevation: 10,406 ft - 12,272 ft (lunch spot), 12,530 ft (ridge)
Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft (lunch spot), 2,130 ft (ridge)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 11 July 2013

The Lenawee Trail above treeline has spectacular views

The Lenawee Trail near Keystone Colorado takes the hiker to rarely visited Thurman Gulch on the back side of the Arapahoe Ski Area where you just might get harassed by domestically inclined Mountain Goats.

Peru Creek Road and the limited parking

The small trailhead sign

The Lenawee trailhead is on Peru Creek Road, which in turn is located on the way to Montezuma from Keystone. You will recognize the large parking lot on the left that is the winter trailhead for Peru Creek. Drive approximately 4.5 miles up the road until you see the trail sign on the left and then park along the road in one of the few spots that are far enough removed from the continual traffic. While Peru Creek is a dirt road that is slightly rough it is passable by your typical 2WD vehicle. Just be cautious if you decide to continue up the road towards Argentine Pass as Peru Creek gets progressively rougher the further you go.

The first mile of the trail is in the trees with limited views.

After the first switchback, interesting piles of rock break up the monotony.

The major downside of the Lenawee Trail is the first mile, which gains a healthy 840 ft in a long slog through the trees. On this trip, it was hotter than hell's half acre and I was leaking electrolytes at a prodigious rate. Fortunately, at treeline some clouds moved in and a cooling breeze saved me from transforming into a dessicated shrub.

The first views of Thurman Gulch appear

Almost above treeline

At 1.2 miles, the trail finally starts to switchback and open up with interesting rock formations. Views of Thurman Gulch appear as the Sub-alpine Firs start to shrink. Once above treeline options abound.  You can continue to the end of the trail, which crosses Thurman Gulch and climbs up to Arapaho Basin; wander east across the tundra to gaze down on Chihuahua Lake and Grays Peak; or park it on a rocky outcropping to lounge, feed, and admire the views. On this trip I chose the latter. This might have been a fortuitous choice. A family of four told me that on the ridge there were some overly protective Mountain Goats protecting their young'ens. They actually charged the family and drove them back down the trail.

This is my favorite view on the trail. They rock formations are huge. Note the trees to the left. They remind me of the aircraft carrier formation on the Shrine Mountain Trail.

Thurman Gulch dominates the views once the trees fade.

The Lenawee Trail is one of those places where the fun begins near the end of the route, so save it for a nice day. On a glorious Summit County day, when the weather is sublime, you could spend half a day wandering around above treeline.

The trail heads straight along the ridge to Thurman Gulch

The view from our lunch spot. It is another 1.2 miles round trip to the ridge and back.

Black Powder Pass

Distance: 3.4 miles round trip
Elevation: 11,482 ft - 12,159 ft
Elevation Gain: 677 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes, in one of the out building for the Section House
Date Hiked: 26 July 2013
Dogs: Off leash
Tags: #hiking, #coloradooutdoors, #mountainpass, #gearguide

The view looking east from Black Powder Pass

Black Powder Pass off of Boreas Pass near Breckenridge Colorado is a stunning destination that will take the hiker above treeline, along a flower-lined ditch and up to a verdant meadow filled with willows, flowers, and slap-your-mama views. Even better, this trail is short and therefore accessible to those who don't do Ironman Triathlons every other week.

Section House is a ski hut in the winter. That is Bald Mountain in the background.

The start of the trail is just a small National Forest Service sign

You get to the trailhead from Boreas Pass. This is the top of Boreas Pass Road, which starts on the south end of Highway 9 just as it leaves Breckenridge. It is 9.2 miles from the turn off on Highway 9 to Boreas Pass and most of the route is on a graded dirt road passable with a 2WD low clearance vehicle.

Starting out along the ditch

This one talus field is the only tricky obstacle on the trail.

Once at the pass, the trail begins at a numbered Forest Service trail sign just before the Section House, a 1900's building now used as a hut in the winter. The first 0.7 miles of the trail is along a Boreas Ditch 2 and its occasional water control gates and pipes. Wildflowers galore line the banks and the trail bisects and travels on both sides of the ditch. Don't worry both lead to the same destination.

A Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) butterfly landed briefly on this Chiming Bell just as I passed by.

Breaking out of treeline. The pass is visible in the distance.

At the end of the ditch, the trail bisects again with the right hand route going steeply up hill along a highly eroded segment. The left hand route, which we took on the way back, travels through willows and over roots. Either side will take you above treeline.

View of Quandary Peak and the Tenmile Range

Looking up at Mt. Baldy

Once out of the trees, the ridge to Bald Mountain on the left comes into view and views of the Tenmile Range dominate the west. The route gets steep at this point and heads steadily upwards through open tundra to the left of the creek that feeds Boreas Ditch 2. King's Crown, Queen's Crown, Harebell, Parry Primrose, Chiming Bells, Columbine, Elephant Head, Indian Paintbrush, Bistwort, Monkshead, and Purple Larkspur were just some of the flowers we saw along the way.

Standing on the pass looking south to Boreas Mountain

Wildflowers growing on the backside of the pass

Once at the pass, the trail itself goes over to a view spot looking down on South Park, Georgia Pass , and the route to French Pass on the tall ridge directly ahead. The rugged rocks of Boreas Mountain form a wall to the south. If you are going to climb Boreas Mountain, however, don't start from Black Powder Pass, but jump to the ridge directly from behind Section House.

Wildflowers encroaching on the trail

While short, this trail is still at altitude and after being gone from Summit County for several weeks, I found myself sucking wind as I approached 12,000 ft. Still, if you take your time, even folks with moderate levels of fitness should be able to make the pass. The view down the backside is well worth the effort. If you are a fit local, there is now excuse not to pop up to the left ridge for an ascent of Bald Mountain.

Lower Straight Creek

Distance: 4 miles round trip (much further possible)
Elevation: 9,385 ft-9,885 ft
Elevation Gain: 500 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 1 July 2013

One of the open meadows along the lower portion of the Straight Creek Trail

So why you ask would any outdoor lover worth their Nalgeen bottles want to hike on a dirt road that parallels noisy, dirty, aggravating I-70? Because sometimes we humans sacrifice our sensibilities for our four-legged companions who don't like to stay on the trail, disregard wilderness boundaries, and otherwise make a nuisance of themselves. For those reasons, Lower Straight Creek is an ideal guilt-free afterwork outing.

The trailhead.  The route starts at the gate on the left

Crossing Straight Creek

The Forest Service says that to get to the trailhead, take exit 205 off of I-70 (Silverthorne/Dillon) and travel south on highway 6 toward Dillon. In approximately 1.2 miles turn left at the traffic intersection of Hwy 6 and Evergreen Road. Then make an immediate right onto County Road 51 and follow this for approximately 1.7 miles until it ends at a gate and the trailhead parking area.

The Straight Creek Trail is an old road so it is wide and rutted in parts

A truck cruises by along I-70

The Straight Creek Trail parallels I-70 the entire way up to Eisenhower Tunnel but I only went up 2 miles. Because of recent clear cutting, there are some wide open expanses jealously guarded by Marmots and a few darker, more confining segments that at times felt downright primeval. In the more open areas are some nice views of Buffalo Mountain.

Looking back at Buffalo Mountain

I-70 is, as you might expect, very close but up 300 ft-600 ft berm and at times much lower but further away. I paid close attention to Ginger, the hyper one, to make sure she stayed away. Fortunately, the shrubs, trees, and critters near the creek were far more enticing.

Ginger searches for critters in the downed trees.  Even after this outing, she still got me up at 6am to go again. Geesh!

Be aware that the trailhead serves two trails. Lower Straight Creek starts across the bridge to the left.  South Straight Creek starts on the right hand side of the creek.

Herman Lake

Distance: 7 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,332ft - 12,018 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,815 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at the trailhead: Yes
Dogs: Sign says on leash, forest service website does not indicate this restriction
Date Hiked: 22 June 2013

The partially frozen Herman Lake

A trip to Herman Lake near the Eisenhower Tunnel can be an arduous slog up steep and unrelenting pitches or a stroll in the proverbial meadow depending upon who you dreamed about the night before or if it took you an extra five minutes to find your car keys. In other words, fitness level and mental fortitude seem to have nothing to do with this trail, which is always harder than it should be. I don't mind a little mountain masochism, but all that gasping and quad burning should come with a greater reward than a mere lake no matter how pretty. That is just me. For the rest of humanity however, Herman Lake is close to Denver and as I have said is rather pretty. That means you will be trudging along with 10,000 of your closest friends each of whom will have brought a dog. Bring along a espresso cart and you might just make your fortune.

The trailhead and all the cars

An example of a steep initial pitch. This early portion of the trail goes up 700 ft in 0.7 miles.

The trailhead for Herman Lake is fortunately large enough to handle the crowds and is located at exit 218 off of I-70 just before the Loveland Ski area. The trail is notorious for its initial ascent up a very steep rocky road that will cause blurry vision and apoplectic fits if you start out too fast. Pace is the key to surviving Herman Lake.

Raging spring runoff

One of the open meadows

The trail slips in and out of shaded forest and open meadows as it climbs steadily upwards. There are a few stretches that are flatter and on this trip we saw more than one family sprawled gratefully along these areas trying to catch their breath.

Looking back down on the route

Finally breaking above treeline at 3 miles

There are mountains on both sides of the trail and all those lovely views provide a more socially acceptable reason to stop, breath, and gawk. A voracious stream parallels the trail and at times adds riparian splendor to the area. Snowfields can linger late in the season and the lake can be quite frozen into the early part of July. It is only in the last three quarters of a mile that the trail breaks above treeline and it is here that the final pitch begins. Remember to pace yourself. It is further to the lake than it seems from below.

Dang, still not to the lake and still going up

The final pitch to the level of the lake

Herman Lake itself is nestled against the Continental Divide and after all that effort I always have always had the desire to pop up to the ridge and explore. Afternoon thunderstorms, which are notorious in this area, have always prevented me. Good excuse huh?

At last on the level of the lake, but there is still a ways to go across the snowfields

Don't be fooled the real lake is much larger.

Herman Lake like Lake Ann and Ptarmigan Lake is a quintessential mountain tarn. In spring the area is filled with wild flowers and snowfields dot the landscape. If you can muster the mental energy to fight I-70 traffic and the wicked ascents, you will be well rewarded.

This lounging hiker stole MY favorite rock.  It was way to nippy at the lake for sun bathing. Are they passed out from exhaustion?

The sun came out, the air warmed, and snoring began in ernest!