Snowmass Lake - June, 2023

 

 Jimmy Brad and I had a perfect weather window where we fit in a hike to Snowmass Lake (and Snowmass Mountain for Brad) right at the summer solstice.  This one had been on my list of iconic Colorado backpacks for over a decade, and it did not disappoint.  This spring has been so rainy and one of the craziest weather seasons I can remember.  A couple days before our hike in to this lake, it snowed a couple inches at this location.  Though this was the first day of summer, it looks more like winter up there!

When we arrived at the lake, there was only one area that was snow free for campers to set up tents.  We had to get close with a few other groups, but everybody was friendly with no problems.  That night sleeping was miserable, being right next to the lake with the wind blasting over it all night was restless.  Brad woke and left for the Snowmass summit at 1:30 AM.  From about then until dawn, there were various parties getting up and getting ready to hike not too quietly so, again, sleep was not good.  Jimmy and I got up to watch a fantastic sunrise over the lake.  The clouds made cool shapes that contoured the edge of the peaks.  Though we didn't know it, right at about that time Brad was standing on the summit.  After having breakfast, we attempted to hike out and find the trail toward Buckskin Pass hoping to hike Buckskin Benchmark.  Unfortunately, the snow was continuous and became a post-holing slog.  After a few miles of this, combined with a trail we couldn't find, we decided to turn back to camp.   We arrived back there at 9AM just after Brad returned.  We all decided we had accomplished our goals for the trip, so we packed up and headed home instead of staying for a second night. 

Sunrise on Snowmass - Prints available

If you look closely, you can see people climbing up the snowfield

And some of Brad's pictures from his 14er hike:

Lost Twin Lakes, Bighorn Mountains - July, 2020

We spent a week in Wyoming at Nathan and Kameryn's place which sits on a foresty hill.  Wow! They have built a beautiful house in a beautiful place!  All the in-laws joined us up there with all the kids which was chaotic... and... fun.  On the weekend, we went backpacking into the Bighorns for one night to Lost Twin Lakes from the Tensleep trailhead.  It was a moderate hike, though it kicked our butts cause we're getting old.  The fishing was really good, the veiws were good, and we saw some bull moose on the way out.  It was also nice to get to know Nathan and Kameryn a little better.

Sunset - Lost Twin Lakes - Prints available

Lost Twin Waterfalls :)

Sunrise - Lost Twin Lakes - Prints available

Snowshoeing to Lake Helene - March, 2018

We took a casual snowshoe below Notchtop Mountain in the park. The day started out beautiful and slowly became more and more windy and overcast. Fun to get into the mountains again, though technically Springtime, it will still be Winter up here for a few more months!

Sawtooth Range, Idaho - June 2017

McGown Peak at Sunrise - Prints available

For anyone considering a trip to the Sawtooths in Idaho, I have a few observations from our recent hikes that could be helpful.

First, early June is too early for backpacking to the higher lakes.  The continuous snow began at about 7,500 ft. covering the trails which made route finding difficult without a GPS.  Many of the rivers do not have bridges built to cross them and were too high and strong to safely cross (especially with a dog).

Second, if you want to stick to lower elevation areas, then June is an excellent time to go.  The entire area was empty.  I didn't once encounter another person on any of the trails other than Fishhook Creek.  The dispersed campsites (non-pay campsites) were all empty as well.  The weather was cool and mosquitoes were not too bad compared to the horror stories from other trip reports.  Deer and Elk were all over the place.  I would bet that even in the height of summer this area still sees light crowds compared to what we're used to in the mountains near Denver.

 Third, The Sawtooth Range is stunning.  Hands down one of the prettiest places I've been.  The beauty of the jagged peaks rivals that of the Teton Range or anything in Colorado. 

The original plan was to hike a loop from Pettit Lake to Redfish Lake camping at specific locations along the way including Alice, Toxaway, Cramer, and Baron lakes.  The snow and river crossings made this unrealistic and the new plan was to do day hikes/backpacks to lower elevation areas.

Heyburn Mountain and Horstmann Peak

Pettit Lake

It started raining on the first morning and continued for the next 24 hours with a light dusting of snow.  Never fun.  There was a flood warning for Stanley that night. 

The weather was better for the next couple days.

Sunrise at Hell Roaring Lake - Prints available

Hell Roaring Reflection

Fishhook Creek Meadow - Prints Available

Stanley Lake  - Yep, this is a real place.

Sawtooth Range Panorama - Prints Available

Grand Mogul - Prints Available

Alturas Lake - I fell in the water after this shot.