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:

Family Backpack to Mohawk Lakes - July, 2022

 We took the kids on what is becoming our yearly backpacking adventure to what I thought would be an easy hike up to Mohawk Lakes near Breckenridge.  They both brought their new children's cameras and had a great time taking pictures of all the mountains, wildflowers, ruins and waterfalls along the way. 

 

Part way up, we had to take shelter from a rainstorm in the trees.  As the rain was dying down and the sun peaking through, KD guessed that there might be a rainbow nearby.  Sure enough, we looked behind us to see an awesome full rainbow below us in the valley.  I only had a few moments to grab a cell phone shot.

It took us a while to actually reach our camp at mayflower lake as we hiked up some steep switchbacks for a while.  This wore the kids out pretty well and they both had about nothing left by the time we reached the lake. We set up camp quickly and made dinner.  There were trout everywhere in this lake.  I tried to catch something, but they were not interested in lures.  A few people were catching them on flies.  I'm 100% positive I would have caught dozens of fish with a handheld net.  I tried to sneak up on a few to see if I could grab them with my bare hands, but Tootsie kept scaring them away.  I think she wanted to try it too!  After sleeping very little due to a dog that wanted to play fetch at 1am, I rose before dawn to hike up to the upper Mohawk Lakes to catch a bright and beautiful sunrise.

 

Mohawk Lakes Sunrise - Prints Available

Pacific Peak Reflection - Prints Available

 

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

Backpacking Boulder Lake with the Kids - June 2020

The Coronavirus has kept us all home for months.  National Parks are beginning to open and outdoor recreation is considered a good social distancing activity. We chose a more secluded area in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness to take the kids on their first backpacking trip.  The route was 3 miles one way and 1,500 ft. of elevation gain with lots of ups and downs along the way.  We had doubts on how the kids would do especially Kolby with his little almost 4 year old legs.  Well...the two of them were troopers!  We just had to keep playing games and taking snack breaks to keep them entertained.  They made it all the way to the lake and I didn't even have to carry them (much). By the way, sunrise at the lake was stunning!

Boulder Lake Black and White

Boulder Lake Sunrise - Vertical

Sunrise at Boulder Lake - Prints Available

Backpacking Holy Cross Wilderness

Cami and I took a quick overnight backpacking trip to Holy Cross Wilderness near Minturn.  This was such a pristine location.  Even though we knew this was such a heavy snow year and a cool summer, we were surprised to see that the high lakes were still partially frozen over....in August!  Also, there were waterfalls everywhere.  I don't think I've been on a hike with more waterfalls.  This was truly a hidden gem!

We only met one other person up there on the whole trip.  A man stopped us and asked if we could filter some water for him because his filter wasn't working.  He was a minster who worked in hospice care and we had a great talk about our faith and Jesus.  I have found that the kind of people that you run into deep in the woods are generally very friendly folks.  Or maybe its that friendly folks tend to enjoy getting out to enjoy God's creation. 

Sunrise over Lake Constantine - Prints available

Can you spot Cami?

As we approached the end of the hike, there were some more difficult rocks to scramble up what were smooth and wet.  Cami decided to wait at the lower lake while Molly and I continued to the upper lake.  The sun came out just for a few minutes and the views were breathtaking!  I always love to hear the marmots chirp at you as you trespass in their tundra territory.

Lower Lake

Upper Lake