Hike #53: Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes Trail (2WD TH), Georgetown, CO

On September 15, 2019September 23, 2019 By AnnieLeave a comment

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2019

Miles: 5.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1345 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 2 hr 45 min total

Type: Day hike from Denver (1 hr 15 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/silver-dollar-lake-ad-murray-lake-trail

Notes:

It felt so good to breathe in some mountain air this weekend! We were hoping to catch some fall colors, so we picked a hike off of Guenella Pass. Despite its’ close proximity, we rarely hike off of Guenella Pass, near Georgetown, Colorado. It was a little too soon for the aspens to change, but we snagged some views of changing leaves.

The drive is short from Denver, we arrived at 7:30 AM and there was plenty of parking at the 2 WD trailhead. The 2WD Trail head adds .7 miles to the hike each way, but the dirt road up to the actual trailhead requires high clearance.

Once we reached the actual trailhead, we found the path to the left side of the road (see sign below). The trail spreads the elevation gain moderately throughout the trail, with the steepest section between the first and second lakes. The half mile or so is shaded through pine trees, then the trail leads you to a ridgeway with panoramic views of Mount Evans Wilderness and Naylor Lake. We reached the first lake 2.5 miles into the hike, then hiked the steep section and reached the second lake at 2.9 miles. It was windy!

Hike #52: Mitchell Lake Trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Ward, CO

On August 28, 2019 By Annie1 Comment

Date: Friday, August 23, 2019

Miles: 4.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 646 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 2 hr (backpacking time)

Type: Day hike from Denver (1 hr 25 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mitchell-lake-trail

Notes:

I reached 52 hikes!! More on that in a separate post. For my finale, we backpacked up a little past Mitchell Lake in Indian Peaks Wilderness, for a trail project with Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV). If you are in the front range, I would really suggest looking at their mission and local projects. It’s a great way to give back to the trails that give hikers so much life, clarity and adventure. I will highlight them in a separate post, but for now, check it out here: http://www.wlrv.org

The trail head for Mitchell Lake has limited parking, but is accessible from several connector trails in the park. Indian Peaks is a super popular hiking location, so I would recommend getting there before 7 AM on the weekends. We parked at another parking lot for the project and hiked the connector trail from Brainard Lake to the Mitchell Lake TH. From there, the hike climbs slightly in elevation, but no steep sections to Mitchell Lake. The trail is well beaten in and easy to follow.

Lots of moose in the area!

View of mountains from the connector trail

View from beyond Mitchell Lake on the trail towards Blue Lake

Our campsite for the weekend- only permitted for WRV volunteers, not an authorized campsite for backpackers. View of Mount Audubon

Picture of me next to the WRV pack llamas. I respected their personal space.

Hike #51: Medicine Bow Peak via Lakes Loop Trail, Medicine Bow National Forest, WY

On August 18, 2019September 23, 2019 By AnnieLeave a comment

Date: Saturday, August 17, 2019

Miles: 7.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 1631 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 3 hr 45 min total

Type: Weekend hike from Denver (3 hr drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/medicine-bow-peak-via-lakes-trail-loop

Notes:

This weekend we went on a camping trip with some friends to Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming. We completed this hike on Saturday and the views definitely did not disappoint. There are several different routes to Medicine Bow Peak, this way is a large loop that can be completed from either Lake Marie TH parking lots. We parked at the east lot and completed this clockwise for a moderate elevation grade.

The first mile gained elevation quickly over several switchbacks. Once on the ridge, the trail continues on the backside of the peak, through a rocky meadow. This section of the trail is mostly flat until you hit the boulder field. Once we got to the boulder field, we made a wrong turn following trail markers along the ridge line, straight up to the peak. The actual trail descends to the left, then ascends straight up directly below the peak. Our route avoided losing elevation, but was pretty rocky and required scrambling. Once back on the trail, scrambling was not necessary.

We summited Medicine Bow Peak at roughly 4 miles into our hike. There was a bit of a traffic jam at the summit, especially when people realized a storm was about to roll in (make sure you start this hike early to avoid bad weather). The descent after the peak was extremely steep and rocky; the trail itself is very narrow and completely exposed. We got caught in a quick hail storm, so most of this stretch was a blur to me. Once you descend, the rest of the trail snakes around Lookout Lakes, with dramatic views of the peak you just climbed.

I would definitely recommend this area for camping and hiking! Compared to Colorado, this National Forest was so quiet.

First mile of the hike climbs elevation with multiple switchbacks

Hike #50: Mount Sanitas via Lions Lair Trail, Boulder, CO

On August 13, 2019September 26, 2019 By AnnieLeave a comment

Date: Monday, August 12, 2019

Miles: 4.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 853 feet

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Time: 1 hr 45 min total

Type: Day hike from Denver (30 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lions-lair-trail

Notes:

I took a break from hiking this weekend to cover some errands and take care of myself– was not feeling great. We have a crazy next few months ahead of us, where we have something going on every weekend until about half way through October. By that time it will probably be mirco-spike season again! It felt good to take a weekend to relax.

Yesterday I scampered up Mount Sanitas (5th time this year) for some girl talk over golden hour with one of my oldest friends. I absolutely love this hidden route up to Sanitas — avoids crowds, giant rock steps and steep elevation grade. I have covered this trail two other times, so I won’t go into too many details. Trail is still clear, quiet and serene.

So happy one of my oldest friends lives here now! Welcome to Colorado Marisa!

Hike #49: Wheeler Lakes and Lost Lake, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO

On August 4, 2019September 23, 2019 By AnnieLeave a comment

Date: Saturday – Sunday, August 3 – 4, 2019

Miles: 12.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 2333 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 6 hr 30 min total

Type: Day hike / Backpack from Denver (1 hr 20 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/wheeler-lost-lake

Notes:

This weekend we did a quick one night backpacking trip in The Gore Range, near Frisco, CO. We found this trail suggested on Backpacker Magazine’s website and we are so happy we took a chance on this trip! It turned out to be one of our favorite hikes so far this year.

We parked at the Conoco gas station off of I-70 at Copper Mountain. There is a free gravel lot next to the back path, but I have read other trail reviews where people parked at the Alpine Lot at Copper Mountain. From there, we crossed the road and walked from the soft shoulder of the I-70 ramp to the pedestrian bridge across I-70. The trailhead is to the left after the bridge. We registered at the trailhead with a free wilderness permit required for overnight hikers.

The trail switchbacks uphill steadily for about three miles, to the junction of Wheeler Lakes (see sign below). The first 1.5 miles is a little noisy, being so close to the interstate, but features beautiful fields of wildflowers. At the junction, we went right to find a campsite and leave our packs. Later on that afternoon, we hiked back out to tag on Lost Lake from the Gore Range Trail.

It took us a little over three miles from our campsite to Lost Lake. This trail features panoramic views of mountains from every angle. There were intervals of up and down in this section, with limited shade. When we got to Lost Lake, we immediately noticed how many fish were there! It would probably be a great fishing site. Trail is clearly marked throughout.