Frying Pan Lakes in the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness Area

We've made a couple of day-hikes to Frying Pan Lakes, but this was my first time camping there.  It was also my first time going on a solo backpack trip.  Not sure why I've waited so long to try an overnight trip alone, but I had such a good time, that I'll do it again.  Backpacking alone means carrying the stove, fuel, water filter, tent, etc. yourself.  Nobody else with whom to share the load.  So I looked to save weight where I could, and managed to get a fully-loaded pack at thirty-nine pounds (not including my camera).

My map shows a trail beyond the lakes, over the saddle to the west of Deer Mountain, where there's a couple more small lakes, but I wasn't able to follow it.  About a half mile south of the upper lake, the trail became ambiguous, and eventually stopped at a seemingly impenetrable field of willows.  I climbed a boulder field, hoping to find a way around (or through), but eventually returned to the upper lake to take more photos.  Later in the day, a trio of hikers, who had started at a hairpin turn below Independence Pass, came over the saddle and down through the lakes.  They reported that they just pushed through the willows.  I guess I'll have to try that sometime.

To reach the trailhead for Frying Pan Lakes, drive east from Basalt about thirty-two miles to where the road makes a hairpin turn and begins climbing towards Hagerman Pass.  On your right is an improved dirt road that leads to the trailheads for both this hike and Lily Pad Lake.  The trailhead is at 10,000 feet, and the lakes are at 11,000 feet.  The surrounding peaks and ridges are above 13,000 feet, making for a very dramatic - and photogenic - scene.  Roughly halfway to the lakes, the trail crosses the river via a sturdy bridge.  This is a great place to stop, drink some water, and take a few photos.

Colorado's Holy Cross Wilderness Area

Of the four wilderness areas close enough to my home for day hiking, the one to which we most frequently return is the Holy Cross Wilderness Area.  Named for the Mount of the Holy Cross, and dominated by the Sawatch Range, the Holy Cross Wilderness Area is most easily accessed from the south via the Fryingpan River valley, and from the north via several roads leading out of the Eagle-Edwards-Avon corridor along I-70.

Some of our favorite hikes, including those we do annually, include:
Lyle and Mormon lakes
Savage Lakes (and the Savage-Carter loop)
Josephine Lake
Eagle Lake

Coming out of the Roaring Fork valley, these are the ones most accessible to us, but the area is rich with great trails, and contains some of the best scenery you'll find anywhere.

Thomas Lakes and Mt. Sopris

It may be the heart of winter (the first two mornings of the year saw fifteen degrees below zero for the low temperatures), but that doesn't mean we can't think of summer.  While I don't get far from home in the winter, the lengthening days has me thinking about what trips to take this coming year.

One hike we do at least once every summer is Thomas Lakes, on the northern slopes of Mt. Sopris.  From the trailhead near Dinkle Lake, it's about four miles to Thomas Lakes.  There are two big ones, and several smaller ponds - all worth exploring.  There are also over a dozen approved campsites, as this area is popular with those seeking to climb Mt. Sopris in a two-day adventure.

The above shot is taking from the northern shore of the eastern lake.  As it clouded over quickly on our first visit, we returned a few weeks later, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Mt. Sopris is several miles south of Carbondale, Colorado.  To reach the trailhead, turn east on Prince Creek Road, and head uphill until you see a well-defined turn-off to your right (south).  Proceed to the large lot above Dinkle Lake.  There are often plenty of cars there.

Mormon Lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area

The hike to Lyle and Mormon lakes is one of our favorites.  Previously we did it as a day hike, but this time we camped at Lyle Lake, allowing us to photograph both lakes in the morning.

Lyle and Mormon lakes are in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area of Colorado.  The trailhead is on the road to Hagerman Pass, in the Fryingpan River valley.

What to take on a backpacking trip - a handy list

 

In addition to those items you bring on a day hike, http://colorado-wilderness.blogspot.com/2009/12/your-day-pack-contents-what-to-carry-on.html, your backpack will contain those things necessary for spending one or more nights in the wilderness.  Because you'll be carrying everything for miles, sometimes with significant elevation gains, it's important to consider the weight and necessity of each piece of camping gear you put in your backpack.

• Tent - lightweight backpacking tents have been around for a while; depending on the season and climate of your trip, you may go with as little as a rain fly or as much as a four-season tent
• Sleeping bag - possibly the bulkiest thing in your pack, the right sleeping bag can make a big difference in your comfort
• Sleeping pad - inflatable foam core sleeping pads insulate you from the cold ground and give you a soft surface on which to place your sleeping bag
• Biodegradable soap, camp towel, and other toiletries
• Toilet paper and trowel (plus the knowledge of how to use them in the wilderness)
• Lightweight stove and fuel, pot for boiling water, cup or mug, spoons, water filter
• Second flashlight - I prefer LED flashlights, and will take one handheld and one headlamp
• Garbage bag (pack it in - pack it out)
• CLOTHING - in addition to what you would pack or wear for a day-hike, bring extra clothing depending on your comfort level wearing dirty clothes; a fleece vest might be the only additional insulating layer you'll need
• FOOD - some people take great pride in their ability to make "gourmet trail meals;" I prefer to think food-is-fuel, and bring things that are dense with calories, low in water (weight), and easy to clean up; see (insert post url here) for a complete discussion of trail food
• to be continued...