Thankful for Hanging Lake

When we rode our bikes to Hanging Lake this summer, the parking area was so full that traffic was backed up all the way to the interstate.  It's easily one of the state's most popular attractions.  But on Thanksgiving day, there were only a half dozen vehicles in the parking area when we arrived, and when we reached the lake, there was only one other couple there.  Another two groups arrived while we were there, and we saw some others on the way up and down, but nothing like the summer crowds.

This photo is a composite of thirty separate images, as it's a rare lens that's wide enough to capture the entire scene in one photograph.

I hope to return again in another month, as the hike up and the scene when you're there is so much better when there's more snow and ice.

Maroon Bells

A few minutes southwest of Aspen, Colorado is the most-photographed place in the state: Maroon Bells, and Maroon Lake.  Next week, as the autumn colors approach their peak, photographers will line the north shore of the lake, possibly with their tripod legs overlapping one another, as they seek to capture the iconic image.

I was there early, and for only the third time in the last twelve years, yesterday morning.  I had the time and the car pass (we took an out-of-town guest there on Saturday afternoon), and wanted to try my hand at HDR photography.  Here are the results using Fotor, and online HDR program.  I later downloaded Luminance which produces results that are truer in color.

American Lake, near Aspen, Colorado

American Lake is in the Castle Creek valley, southwest of Aspen, Colorado.  It's in the Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness Area.  Like nearby Cathedral Lake, it's a popular hike for both the scenery and proximity to the famous ski town. 

I had hiked there once before, but the skies were cloudy, and I wasn't terribly pleased with my photos.  We had perfect weather for the hike and for photography yesterday, and here's what I brought back.

the upper half of the trail passes through pine groves

the gray jays, known as camp-robbers, are used to seeking food from hikers

visitors are struck by the beautiful color of the lake

Yule Creek...again

The Raggeds Wilderness area spreads out to the south of the upper Crystal River valley.  From Marble, Colorado, my favorite access is the Yule Creek trail.  Though smooth tent sites are scarce there, I hope to bring a backpack up and spend the night there once.  Until then, I'll have to be happy with my day hikes.

from the overlook above Thompson Flats

Yule Creek

Lyle Lake and Mormon Lake

Sometimes I'm reluctant to write about hikes that are so great I fear they'll become popular through my blog, and we won't be able to enjoy the near-monopoly we have when we're hiking there.  Even during the peak months of summer, hikes out of the Frying Pan river valley into the Holy Cross wilderness area are never as crowded as those one finds near Aspen.  Ours was the ninth vehicle at the trailhead on Sunday, and yet we only occasionally encountered other hikers (most on the way down from overnight camping there).  Once at the lakes, we had them all to ourselves.

Unlike my past visits, the mosquitoes were out in force this time.  The only bothered me when the breeze died down and we stood still for any length of time.  My girlfriend, however, was nearly eaten alive.  She had about thirty bites on her arms and shoulders, and was rather miserable.  Despite that, she was able to appreciate the hike and called it the most beautiful she had ever seen.

Lyle Creek, just below Lyle Lake

Lyle Lake lunch break

Lyle Lake on the trail up to Mormon Lake

pond and view above Mormon Lake

Lyle Lake from the saddle

Yule Creek in the Ragged Mountains

I know enough about this trail to avoid it early in the season.  It's north-facing and pretty shady, so it can hold a lot of snow well into June.  We were able to catch a glimpse of the mountains at the south end of the valley from about ten miles away last week, and could see they held lots of snow.  But after several days of warmth, I figured it was safe to try the hike.

stream or trail?

The beginning of the hike was wet.  What ought to have been a seasonal stream crossing the trail became a seasonal stream on the trail.  The top third of the hike alternated between shallow snow and easy hiking.  One place was deep and steep, and I prudently walked around it.

snow on the trail

Before too long I reached the overlook above Thompson Flats and was rewarded with one of my favorite views in Colorado:

the view 

Blogspot is very touchy lately, making photo uploads difficult (if not impossible), so you're seeing the black & white version instead of the color one, as that's the only one that would load.  Because it was mostly cloudy, I actually like the B&W landscape better.

Thomas Lakes on the slopes of Mt. Sopris

west Thomas Lake

east Thomas Lake

For the distance (eight miles r/t), views, degree of difficulty (~500 ft/mile), and proximity to Carbondale, I'm always surprised this trail isn't more crowded.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very popular hike, and one that usually has a couple of dozen other hikers on it.  But that's not very many.  And that's coming from someone who prefers not to find any other hikers on his trails.

The trail is snow-free now, though we did find some snow in the shady places around the lakes.  We encountered quite a few people who were camping overnight, including two parties we knew.  But with a dozen established campsites, there were still some open ones.

Despite the near-average snowpack this year, the east lake was a good four or five feet below normal.  Just like last year.  Not sure what's going on there.  Also the stream crossings were very easy for any time of the year, but especially this early in the season.

My girlfriend tripped on the way down and hurt her knee, so I don't know if we'll be able to hike next weekend.  I hope so, even it's an easy one.

Hiking season is open!

It was the first weekend at home since the weather turned warm, and we were eager to get in a hike.  We talked about Yule Creek, but that's a shady north-facing trail that can often have a lot of snow on it well into June.  My girlfriend had never been up Huntsman's Ridge, so I suggested that as an alternative.

The trail is on the Forest Service road, but as it's a challenging drive, there's almost never any traffic there.  The gate was locked for some reason, and with no other cars in the parking area, we knew we would have it to ourselves.

I will either hike to the highest point on the ridge or cross a meadow a few hundred feet below the top and follow the ridge out to a point that affords tremendous views of the upper Crystal River valley.  The latter option is the one we chose.

To get down, we bushwhacked through the aspen forest, which is where I took the photos of the mature aspen tree trunks.

Upper Elevation Snowpack is About Average Heading Into Memorial Day Weekend

The relatively mild winter could fool one into thinking that high country hiking and backpacking will be hazard-free, but late snows and cool temperatures in April and May brought the mountain snowpack levels up to the average (Aspen SkiCo is opening Ajax Mtn this weekend for skiing).

If you're going up high, or will be on north-facing or shaded trails, wear gaiters and be prepared to post-hole.  Also expect high water stream crossings, as the warm weather is accelerating the snow melt now.

To get up-to-date snowpack data, follow this link: SNOTEL

Grizzly Creek -- another great early season hike

grizzly creek cascades

bouldering opportunities along the trail

black and white riverscape

Early season in Colorado, otherwise known as mud season, is characterized by snow-clogged trails, muddy trails, and fast-moving water crossings.  Or you can seek out low elevation hikes with good sun exposure.  I've written about how Avalanche Creek is one of those.  Several more can be found in Glenwood Canyon. 

No Name Creek, Grizzly Creek, and Hanging Lake/Dead Horse Creek are some of the trails that lead north from the Colorado River into the Flat Tops wilderness.