This trail climbs from East Vail into Eagles Nest Wilderness alongside Gore Creek. There are some short steep sections that wind through meadows and aspen groves which change to spruce-fir stands as the elevation increases. Also look for a wide variety of wildflowers in season. Particularly during spring runoff, Gore Creek rages down the drainage with its series of fast moving cascades. A short hike along the creek can provide pleasant picnic spots or great fishing opportunities. My brother Dave and I hiked the lower Gore Creek Trail on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 beginning at 7:00AM and finishing about 9:45AM. Our plan was to climb to the first view of Gore Range, then return along the same path.

You can take Gore Creek Trail 12 miles farther and 3,000 feet higher into Eagles Nest Wilderness, but I had an appointment with the highway later in the day. Since this was the last day with my brother after nearly three weeks on the road, we wanted to get in one last hike. It seemed only right that we do it in his backyard. Our plan was a lot less than 12 miles.

As usual, we were up at the crack of dawn to begin. Usually this is to enjoy the golden hour after sunrise, but there was another reason for this hike. There is very limited parking at the trailhead, and the spots are taken rather quickly. Vail PD will ticket if you aren’t in designated parking.

Securing the first spot, we hit the trail shortly before 7:00. Dave warned me that this trail is a series of short, very steep climbs, followed by brief level stretches, then more climbing. He was right. Within the first half mile we had already climbed 300 feet.

I’ve been to the Rocky Mountains many times in July for the abundant wildflower display, but early June seemed to me to be, well, too early. So I was very pleasantly surprised with the number and wide variety of blossoms that greeted us. Plus, they were already fully bloomed out so early in the morning. The wildflowers wake up early here. The balsamroot in particular was really putting on a fantastic display.

The lower mile of Gore Creek Trail takes you through a young aspen forest. At this time of year, the leafing was a brilliant almost lime green. Combined with the golden rays of the sun, it made a verdant essence that pulls you deeper and deeper into the woods.

At the half mile mark you reach a clearing that affords views of the Vail Valley behind you. The eastern shoulders of Vail Mountain, with its many avalanche chutes, stand tall above. Some snow still remained on the highest of the knobs.

Soon you also begin hearing the telltale rushing sound of moving water as you approach Gore Creek. The forest begins a change to spruce-fir up here. Combine the compelling evergreen scent with the freshness of cold, crisp Rocky Mountain rushing water for an aromatic sensation.

The flowers, the creek, and the trees create a pleasant, fresh fragrance.

The trail makes a short dip of about 50 feet, then resumes climbing in earnest, a total of 400 more feet over the next mile. The trail takes a more direct route up the drainage, while Gore Creek twists and turns along its descent. This means you leave the creek, then return to its banks every few hundred yards.

Since I had an eight hour drive ahead of me later in the day, our goal was to only climb until we had the first view of the majestic Gore Range mountains ahead of us. One final push over perhaps the steepest rise yet got us there, just past 1.5 miles up. There’s a great outcrop at this point with plenty of comfortable seats.

It was time for a snack, and to enjoy the views in every direction. Ahead, you can follow the drainage up and into the valley at the base of the massive peaks of Gore Range. Behind, the snow capped summit of eastern Vail Mountain is a reminder that skiiers were there just a short six weeks before. There is also the everpresent sound of Gore Creek.

We were seeing other hikers now, some just out for morning exercise with their dog, others in full backpack and plans to camp far up in Eagles Nest Wilderness. It was a glorious day for hiking… bright and sunny, with a mild chill in the air to keep you from overheating while exerting. That’s what is great about Rocky Mountain hiking in Spring.

Despite wanting to go further, because of later plans it was time to turn around. There were even more flowers out on the way down, and the sky was turning that deep, rich Rocky Mountain blue.

As I spent this final hour on the trail with Dave, I thought about the many adventures we had been on the last 17 days. We saw all the major sights in western South Dakota including The Badlands, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, Cathedral Spires and Custer State Park. We checked out Devils Tower in eastern Wyoming, and crossed the Snowy Range Scenic Byway in the southern part of the state. Then we got to experience the grand stateliness of Bryce Canyon and the stark rocky desert at Capitol Reef.

Walking through this lush aspen woodland reminded me of the contrasts in geology and plant life of the American West. Here, we were strolling through the freshest water-fed forest. We had also seen barren landscapes that hardly see a drop of water. Yet all so exceptionally beautiful in many, many different ways. I invite you to go back and review the Trail Reports from the last couple weeks so you can experience this enjoyable journey with us.

I still had one more solo hike planned, in Arkansas, on my way back east, but this was it with Dave. I am extremely grateful to him for sharing this outstanding trip. We had many great experiences, saw lots of wild things, and once again renewed our mutual love of the great outdoors.

Summarizing Gore Creek Trail, we barely scratched the surface of what is available here. As mentioned, you can go 12 miles into Eagles Nest Wilderness. There is even another trail up there to Deluge Lake that will really test your stamina. But if you’re visiting Vail Valley and looking for a lovely few hours trek into the woods, this one is highly recommended. Bring a picnic or a fishing pole and enjoy some Rocky Mountain relaxation.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Were you to hike nearly nine miles into a wilderness area, paralleling a creek through alpine meadows and woods, you might expect to find solitude. But that’s not the case at Conundrum Hot Springs, an extremely popular area of natural pools at an elevation of over 11,000 feet with views of surrounding peaks in White River National Forest, Colorado. Dozens — and on busy weekends, sometimes hundreds — of overnight visitors hike in. Some even carry speakers and cases of beer. “It’ll be like you’ve gone to someone’s backyard for a pool party,” Karen Schroyer, Aspen-Sopris district ranger, says.

When Schroyer came to this job three years ago, she realized that the time had come to curb Conundrum’s overuse. On a wilderness retreat to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, she learned about the issues rangers were dealing with: human-bear conflicts, trash, trees hacked away for firewood, unofficial campsites too close to water and trails. And, most disturbingly, many visitors were answering nature’s call and neither burying nor carrying out the waste. “I was honestly just blown away,” Schroyer said.

The current situation at Conundrum Hot Springs arose from the overall increase in people recreating on Colorado’s public lands — a trend that will almost certainly continue — and the swift publicity of photos on social media and in glossy magazines. Schroyer said the internet has been “incredibly powerful” with places like Conundrum and Hanging Lake, which have become bucket-list destinations. She sees why people want to come — and they’re going to keep coming. “This is a gorgeous, gorgeous area,” she said. “We just need to do a better job of managing that use.”

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This trail follows the McCullough Creek drainage up the gulch beneath the massive summit of 14,225′ Quandary Peak. It starts on an old mining road south of Breckenridge, CO, then changes to single track trail as it climbs the gulch. You’ll pass through pine and fir forest, get splashed by White Falls, marvel at the colorful granite, and count the variety of summer wildflowers along the way. Watch too for mountain goats among the talus, a common sighting. Picturesque Upper Blue Reservoir sits at the top of the drainage offering a refreshing respite and a great spot for lunch and pictures. My brother Dave and I hiked McCullough Gulch Trail on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 beginning at 7:30AM and ending about 12:30PM. Our plan was to hike to Upper Blue Reservoir, then return. Depending upon energy reserve you can go farther.

It is my understanding that the trailhead for McCullough Gulch used to be at the dead end of Forest Service Road 851, then was moved back to the gate for awhile, and is now posted all the way back at the forest road fork. We were the first ones to arrive, so we just picked a place to park on the side of the FSR.

As we discovered through the morning, based upon the popularity of this trail, I can see why this was done. By the time we had completed hiking and returned to our car, there were more than a hundred vehicles parked for the next quarter mile on the service road. That would be totally unmanageable with the original trailhead. It would be a traffic nightmare. So I strongly recommend you arrive early to secure parking, even on a weekday.

As you walk the forest road, look to your left to see the ridge climbed by those hikers who are tackling one of Colorado’s fourteeners: Quandary Peak. The massive crest stands tall above McCullough Gulch and is never out of sight along this trail.

Now that the Forest Service has added an additional half mile to the length of this hike, walk the forest road until you reach the original trailhead, marked with a now dilapidated kiosk. Veer left at the kiosk and begin the climb that won’t abet until you reach Upper Blue Reservoir. Through a series of switchbacks, the old mining road crosses McCullough Creek providing an opportunity for pictures or a refreshing splash.

You will reach an old homestead on the left at the mile mark where the Forest Service is also doing vegetation remediation in hopes of returning the land to its native condition. Look for a crystal clear tarn another quarter mile beyond that is a captivating reflective pool. Unfortunately dead fall now litters this pond hampering its former beauty. I just caught the white tail of a deer leaping through the forest as we approached the pool.

There is a spur trail on your left that goes downhill to Lower Blue Reservoir. This lake is surrounded by willow thickets and is difficult to approach, so you may want to save yourself the exertion of reclimbing the hundred feet to the primary trail.

At the 1.5 mile mark you cross a talus field, then approach a large granite hillside that signals your arrival at White Falls.

This magnificent view of the pinnacles of Quandary Peak standing high above White Falls is a fine example of what Rocky Mountain scenery is all about.

Besides the rushing cascades of White Falls, this area is also home to an abundance of wildflowers including indian paint brush, bluebells, and the Colorado state flower columbine. You will walk on the light colored granite most of the rest of the way, so keep your eye out for the trail signs that aid with route finding.

For the next 0.4 mile the trail climbs very steeply alongside McCullough Creek. I don’t mind telling you I got quite winded through this stretch. There are, however, many overlooks along the way that provide a moment of rest and marvelous views back down the gulch, or of Quandary Peak high overhead. We reached unmelted snow at this elevation as we also passed through the treeline.

Two miles up you reach the relieving sight of Upper Blue Reservoir, a stunning alpine lake. We paused for a few moments to take in the splendid view, and to catch our breath after the tedious climb. There are a number of great view points along the boundary of the lake, so we walked around searching for a nice spot for lunch. Dave laughed and said it was obvious I wasn’t a skier when I slipped and fell on my keister while crossing a snow field.

Rock outcrops are all around providing ready-made picnic tables as well as great perches for time-lapse video. Dave went to another outcrop a hundred yards away so we could take ICU — UCMe pictures of each other. Upon returning, he told me the story of his near demise crossing a creek on the way to the end of the lake.

You can continue hiking quite a bit farther. To reach the upper valley, follow the narrow trail along the north shore of the lake. It undulates ruggedly over outcrops and several marshy inlet streams to the far west side, where you’ll begin another steep, twisting climb that generally traces the lake’s main inlet falls. You can climb an additional 800 feet to another series of alpine lakes. We saw a few brave souls heading that way, but most of the other hikers seemed to be content with Upper Blue Reservoir.

When we got back to the east end of the lake there was a nice wildlife surprise waiting… two mountains goats, a nanny and her yearling. It was quite apparent they were used to people because there were some getting within 20 feet for that prize selfie. Me, I try to respect the space of wildlife, so I stayed about 75 feet away and used my zoom lens.

By now the sky was beginning to cloud up, so it may have been wise that we didn’t head to the upper lakes several hundred feet farther above. On the descent we took a few short spur trails that offer close viewing of fast cascades along McCullough Creek. The crowds of hikers were really coming non-stop now. We quit counting at 200. Pretty amazing really for a Tuesday.

Judging by the crowd we wondered if our car would be blocked in when we got back. Fortunately, that was not our fate. We were astounded by the number of cars that lined FSR 851 as we drove back toward Breckenridge.

Summarizing, McCullough Gulch is a short, steep climb along a whitewater creek that passes multiple waterfalls and winds through aromatic evergreen forest. The views both above (of Quandary Peak) and below (down gulch) are quite picturesque. Depending on your endurance, you can continue well beyond our destination to make a complete day of it. You may want to consider doing this hike in spring or fall as it is obviously overcrowded in summer.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

The easier of the trails at Loveland Pass, West Ridge surrounds two sides of the bowl that makes up the Loveland area and the I-70 corridor over the Continental Divide. Still, at 11,990 feet, this is no piece of cake for folks like me who are used to mountains no more than half the elevation. Several ski slopes are visible from the ridge. Look too for cute rodents to peek out of their ground holes, like pica, chipmunks and marmots. My brother Dave and I hiked the short West Ridge Trail on Saturday, July 15, 2017 beginning at 7:30AM and ending about 8:45AM. Our plan was to hike to the crest of West Ridge offering views of the back side mountain ranges, then return.

Dave and I chuckled at the bright orange sign at the trailhead that was pock-marked with bullet holes and plastered with bright colored stickers. “WARNING – Avalanche blasting at any time using long range weaponry.” Yikes! We figured we were safe because, y’know… summer and all. Not too many avalanches in July. But, you just never know. Artillery shells don’t give much advance notice. We didn’t have climbing helmets, but we did keep our eyes and ears peeled.

We had been here six years before on a memorable hike to the summit of Mt. Sniktau. This time we were on the other side of the road at Loveland Pass. All of the other early arrivals were making the arduous climb up Sniktau, so we pretty much had West Ridge to ourselves for awhile. The start of the West Ridge Trail is just as steep, but nowhere near as long.

After an initial ascent of 200 feet or so, West Ridge Trail levels out somewhat and offers a nice view of the Loveland bowl and I-70 far below. Despite being more than half a mile away and 2,000 feet lower, we could still hear the highway sounds from the busy interstate. We could also hear the chirp, chirp, chirping sounds of the picas that were scurrying about in, around and under the rocky glacial breakdown that dots the trail.

We continued up the next rise, not as steep as the first, and topped the crest of West Ridge. The back side of the ridge opened a broad expanse of snow capped peaks that seemed to extend for miles. You can also see the Arapaho Basin and Keystone ski mountains from this side of the ridge. The steep granite wall of East Face stands sentinel over the A-Basin ski slopes.

West Ridge Trail continues for about another mile on the crest of the ridge, but the views don’t really change much. Since this day was kind of a rest day for us, we satisfied ourselves with what we were seeing, and turned around.

Just in the short hour we had been hiking, the wildflowers blossomed and the marmots came out of their burrows. There is a great view on the way back of two nearby fourteeners — Grays and Torreys Peaks — as well as Grizzly Peak, another tall and imposing mountain that is accessible from the Mt. Sniktau Trail.

In summary, there isn’t much to this short trail from Loveland Pass, but if Mt. Sniktau is a bit much for your abilities, this is a way to experience hiking on the alpine tundra above 12,000 feet. The views all around you are spectacular, and you are pretty much guaranteed to see cute Rocky Mountain critters along the pathway. Just don’t leave your pack laying around while you’re futzing with photographs.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

This marvelous example of Rocky Mountain vistas starts, oddly enough, directly beside Interstate-70 at Colorado’s 10,585′ Vail Pass. The trail winds through forest and meadow, then climbs steeply above treeline to Uneva Ridge, 1,500 feet above. Along the way you will enjoy breathtaking views of four distinct mountain ranges as you pass into Eagles Nest Wilderness, and experience the high mountain air. If you still have some energy left, you can continue to either Uneva Pass, or Uneva Peak, another solid 500 feet higher. Regardless of your turnaround point, expect a good workout, and great fun. My brother Dave and I climbed to Uneva Ridge on Friday, July 14, 2017 beginning at 6:45AM and ending about 1:45PM. Our plan was to hike to the summit of Uneva Peak, but with me still acclimating to the 12,000 foot elevation, we stopped at Uneva Ridge.

This unnamed trail dives into a pine and fir forest and begins climbing for the first quarter mile until it spills into a vast, wide-open valley that runs for miles between the interstate and Uneva Ridge. Look for herding wildlife to be grazing here in early morning and late evening. The trail in White River National Forest is also used by cross country skiers in winter as evidenced by the blue blaze marks high up on trees.

Once in the open, the double-track trail parallels the meadow for close to a mile. There is an oddity here: tree stumps that stand anywhere from four to eight feet high. We wondered if this area was logged decades ago, and they just happened to cut the trees when there was quite a bit of snow on the ground, resulting in the tall stumps. Vail Pass certainly gets a lot of snow.

It isn’t particularly quiet here, as you’re still in close proximity to I-70. Don’t worry though, that will improve as you continue. Behind you, to the south, are the imposing Jacque, Atlantic and Pacific peaks. Still covered with a large amount of snow in July, I had to get a closer look. I put the telephoto lens on my camera for a series of shots of these impressive pinnacles.

We discovered a wealth of wildflowers along the pathway, including multi-colors of indian paintbrush, large swaths of bluebells, robins plantain, giant dandelion, and the aptly-named elephant heads. This somewhat goofy, tall purple flower has multiple florets per stem that mimic the appearance of an elephant’s trunk and floppy ears. I was fascinated by these every time we happened upon a cluster.

The light is stunning just a couple hours past dawn as it peeks above the mountain ridges and through the boughs of the fir trees. They call it the golden hour. Another feature of early morning is the gradual warming of the air. It was 44°F when we started, even in mid-July. As we approached Corral Creek winding through the picturesque valley, there was a mist rising slowly from the stream bed, likely to return as rain later in the day in another valley not far away.

After a mile or so in this luscious meadow valley, the trail once again enters the evergreen forest and begins its serious ascent. Look for large bushy arrays of bluebells here. I’ve never seen so many in one place. The noise of the interstate begins to dissipate and the songbirds become more evident.

At the end of a steep rise, the trail pops once more into the wide open as you enter the boundary for Eagles Nest Wilderness. On your right is a talus field, breakdown from glacial activity millennia ago. If you look very closely, you will discover the rocks here are home to collections of Colorado’s state flower, the beautiful columbine.

Columbine or aquilegia grow annually in the high country of the Rocky Mountains and are known for their stunning colorings and spurred petals.

Beyond the talus slope you will see Corral Creek descending from the snow fields above. Lined with blackfoot daisies, it is quite the floral scene. As you cross the creek, look to your left (west) for the first view of the Sawatch Range and the giant Mt. of the Holy Cross, one of Colorado’s famous 14ers. We took our first break here, pausing for a timelapse video, a snack and a breather.

The exertion begins in earnest now. As you climb the drainage from Corral Creek, you are above treeline and headed into a large bowl below the shoulders of the Uneva Ridge. Topping the rim of the bowl, you’ll see it is still filled with large snow fields. We managed to wind our way around the snow, avoiding the likelihood of post-holing through the melting white stuff.

You pass through a willow thicket, and then the trail simply disappears. From here on you’re crossing alpine tundra on one large grassy mountain meadow. Small wildflowers dot the surface of the rounded, rolling ridge. The terrain is steep, very steep. We created our own switchbacks by walking in a zigzag pattern up the expansive ridge.

With this being my first hike on this visit to Colorado, and also the first hike after an unplanned ER visit caused by a previously unknown adult-onset allergic reaction to cashew nuts, I tired very quickly. It became apparent to me that our goal of reaching Uneva Peak would be, shall we say, unreachable. I managed to press forward to the crest of the ridge, but that was it for me.

This point was still quite rewarding. We could see the spiked peaks of the Gore Range to the north and the Tenmile Range and Uneva Pass to the south. To the west is an even better view of Mt. of the Holy Cross and the Sawatch Range, and to the east are even more tall summits of the Front Range. We stayed here for half an hour, eating lunch and taking a few selfies, including the one at the top of this post. We could see the tiny silhouette of the alpine jogger who had passed us earlier now at the summit of striking Uneva Peak.

The wind began to freshen, and the clouds were moving faster as the morning approached afternoon. There’s a saying in Colorado that is a very good rule of thumb for summer safety. “Be off the mountain by noon.” It was time to heed that advice as the thunderstorms come fast and furious to the Rockies in summer.

Descending the tundra was so much easier than was the ascent, and a lot quicker too. Thank goodness my knees aren’t bothering me yet like with so many hikers, so I much prefer the down to the up. The sun was playing peek-a-boo as the clouds thickened. There were even more wildflowers out now that the morning chill was gone and the warmth of the sun opened the blossoms.

We stopped a couple of times for brief breaks along the way, but mostly the return trip was uneventful. As we got within a mile of the trailhead we could once again hear the drone of the interstate, signalling our return to civilization. It is hard to go from wilderness to commotion in just a matter of minutes.

Summarizing, people who live in Colorado and hike regularly would probably call this a moderate hike to 12,522′ Uneva Peak. It is an 8-mile round trip with just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. I can do that too, at home, 6,000 feet lower. But the first day out after being sick, this one wore me out at the 6-mile and 1,500′ mark. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the forest and the wildflowers, and especially the vistas in every direction. Access is quite convenient. This was a good one.

Thanks to Dave for the video summary above.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Highway 4, west out of Leadville, CO offers a driving adventure that takes you past lakes, among a various assortment of summer wildflowers, and over a high mountain pass that tops out just short of 12,000 feet.

I needed the drive rather than hiking the first day after recovering from a newly discovered adult-onset allergy to cashew nuts. The annual visit with my brother Dave started with an overnight emergency room experience. The good folks at Vail Valley Medical got me back on my feet though, and by the next day I was ready to go exploring.

Highway 4 passes beautiful Turquoise Lake, a reservoir that serves the Colorado Springs and Aurora communities. Where Hwy 4 meets Forest Service Road 105, you climb, climb, climb from lake level to 11,925 feet at Hagerman Pass. Along the way there are many overlooks of the lake and the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

We were treated to something that is very common in the Southern Appalachian mountains, but is unusual in the Rockies… low-lying morning fog. It added an extra dimension to the views. The San Isabel forest road winds past old mining artifacts, flowers galore, and plenty of primitive campsites. On the backside of the pass and the Continental Divide, as it enters White River National Forest, FR 105 offers views of Ivanhoe Lake, another reservoir in the water supply system.

The pictures below will give you an idea of the natural beauty found off the beaten path in Colorado. Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below the gallery. Thanks for visiting!

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

There’s a reason they call it Summit County. An old mining road climbs from Hoosier Pass above 12,000 feet and is surrounded by several of Colorado’s famous fourteeners. The first half of the road meanders through a spruce and fir forest with occasional views of the massive mountains that envelop the region. The rest of the way is above treeline, offering unobstructed viewing of giants Mt. Bross, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Silverheels and Quandary Peak. The north side of the ridge also has long distance vistas of more fourteeners, several ski areas, and Dillon Reservoir. My brother Dave and I walked County Road 2 at Hoosier Pass on Saturday, October 1, 2016 beginning at 9:00AM and ending about 12:15PM. Our plan was to climb to the crest of the ridge beneath Northstar Mountain summit on County Road 2.

Our original plan was to hike McCullough Gulch Trail up the watershed of Quandary Peak. When we arrived at the trailhead, however, it was closed for maintenance. So my quick thinking brother came up with an alternative. If we continue on up Highway 9 to Hoosier Pass, there is an old mining road that more or less parallels Monte Cristo Creek, just a thousand feet higher.

Hoosier Pass is a major crossing of the Continental Divide between the towns of Breckenridge and Alma, so the overlook there was already quite busy even at 9:00 AM. The name derives from a share of the pioneer settlers of the region being natives of Indiana, hence Hoosier. The pass is located at the northern end of the Mosquito Range, in a gap between Mount Lincoln and Hoosier Ridge. It sits on the boundary between Park and Summit counties, and between Pike and White River National Forests.

Because we were in a 4WD, we were able to drive about a quarter mile up County Road 2 (also known as Ling Road) to a pullout under a grove of spruce trees. Don’t try it in a conventional sedan, but the additional walk from Hoosier Pass isn’t difficult.

Think of County Road 2 as your typical dirt road, without gravel. It’s just tan dirt… no doubt quite dusty during the dry season. Through the groves of spruce and fir, you notice immediately the gargantuan shapes of Mt. Bross and Mt. Lincoln on the west side of the viewshed.

Both are well above 14,000 feet, with Lincoln being the tallest peak in Park County. Mount Lincoln, along with its neighbors Cameron, Democrat and Bross, are pockmarked with old mines, and much of the land is still owned privately by mining companies. In the summer of 2005, these landowners denied access to the peaks to hikers and climbers, fearing liability in the case of injury, and citing the particular dangers due to the presence of old mine workings. In 2006, the town of Alma signed a deal to lease the peaks for a nominal fee, to reduce the potential liability to the owners and free up the peaks for recreational access. For those who do such things, all these fourteeners are now usually peak-bagged together, in the same hike.

As you begin to clear the treeline, Montgomery Reservoir also comes into view on the west side of the road. This man-made lake about a mile southwest of the pass is part of the Continental-Hoosier Diversion System. Water is piped from Montgomery Reservoir 70 miles to Colorado Springs.

The imposing summits of Mounts Bross and Lincoln, with more of the Mosquito Range in the background.

About a mile and a half up the road we reached a saddle along Hoosier Ridge, and we could now see the east side of the ridge. The view is simply magnificent. Down below is Monte Cristo Creek drainage. 14,271′ Quandary Peak, with its commanding ridge line is now visible from behind Northstar Mountain. Quandary is one of the most popular climbs among Colorado’s 14ers because of its relative proximity to Breckenridge and Denver. Through our zoom lenses, we could see the ant-like hikers making their way up the long ridge.

Also visible are ski slopes and other fourteeners. Torreys and Grays Peaks are in the vista along with portions of Keystone Ski, Dillon Reservoir, and the outskirts of Breckenridge. I’m sure with binoculars you could also see the town of Frisco as well as other famous landmarks far too numerous to mention.

We paused here for a break for a snack and to enjoy the bounty surrounding us. Our next target was the gate a few hundred yards higher up County Road 2. When Dave was last here a decade prior, the path to the summit of Northstar Mountain had been closed because of the aforementioned old mine issues. We had to go see what the status now was.

When we arrived at the gate there was definitely a no trespassing sign. But it looked to us like that was for the upper road that continued climbing up Northstar. The lower road that wound around the ridge toward a vista of the Mt. Clinton watershed did not have a gate, or a sign. At least that’s what we were going to tell anyone who might have asked why we continued ahead.

We walked perhaps a quarter mile around the ridge to a spectacular view, looking up the drainage from Mt. Clinton. We both thought the road/path far below in the drainage would be a great one to explore some day. Eventually we reached a talus field and old mining artifacts, a definite signal that it was time to turn around.

The tailings and artifacts were definite hints that we were in what was once mining country.

We went back to the saddle and began another climb to a knob at the top of Hoosier Ridge. From there we felt like we were simply in the center of it all. That’s what you see in the photo at the top of this post. We were surrounded by amazing views of tall peaks in every direction, including the now-visible 13,829′ Mt. Silverheels, named for a dance hall girl in the nearby mining camp of Buckskin Joe.

She was nicknamed “Silverheels” because of the silver shoes she wore while dancing. She also wore blue or white masks to conceal her face. Well-compensated by the trappers and prospectors who watched her dance, Silverheels was personally generous, having used her own money to bring in doctors during a smallpox epidemic in Buckskin Joe in 1861.

We pulled out our lunch and setup the tripod for pictures and just enjoyed the moment. The clouds were beginning to gather over the tall peaks, a very common afternoon occurrence in the Rockies. They really add to the perspective in photographs, but you don’t want to be exposed on an isolated peak when those clouds begin throwing lightning bolts in every direction. There is a good rule of thumb for hiking in the Rockies: off the mountain by noon.

And so it was that we sadly left our exhilarating perch on the knob and began the descent down the north side. There were a lot more people going up County Road 2 now that we were going down. Hopefully they all kept one eye on the gathering clouds.

Summarizing County Road 2 from Hoosier Pass, this is a mostly easy hike that climbs gently a little more than 600 feet to a knob on Hoosier Ridge just below the summit of Northstar Mountain. If you’re new to high altitude hiking, the 12,000′ elevation may surprise you. Take your time and breathe deeply. The views along the way are simply majestic. The Mosquito Range is one of the most dynamic among the great mountains of the Rockies. This hike is mostly doable in any season as the road crews do a good job of keeping Hoosier Pass open all winter.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Fog and low-lying mist is very common in the Southern Appalachians. It is a product of the rainforest effect. Fog is highly unusual in the Rocky Mountains, but that’s what greeted Dave and I as we hit the trailhead to climb Shrine Ridge. It was somewhat of a dreary, forlorn scene as we walked from mountain bog to spruce forest to high meadow on our way to the ridgeline. Shrine Ridge has wide open vistas of three mountain ranges including Sawatch, Tenmile, and Gore… but not on this day. We visited Shrine Ridge Trail on Friday, September 30, 2016 beginning at 9:30AM and ending about 12:00PM. Our plan was to climb to the crest of Shrine Ridge. When we saw it was socked in fog, we decided to cut the hike short at the meadow below the ridge.

It was 35°F. when we arrived at the trailhead, and it remained there pretty much through the entire morning as we hiked. A light drizzle was settling on the willows and spruce as we walked, and it too would persist for the duration. Not what you hope for when you visit the Colorado Rockies, but rain is needed everywhere. That’s why we carry rain gear, right?

There is a pit toilet available at the Shrine Ridge parking if you need some last minute relief. The Shrine Ridge trailhead is perhaps 50 yards up the gravel road from the parking area. The first quarter mile of the trail is built up with mounded dirt and gravel. This is a mountain bog area, so perhaps the old trail occasionally got inundated with seasonal wetness.

Look for willows along the trail side. They were in catkins phase as we passed in late September. Earlier in the month, these willows would have been displaying bright yellow on their leaves. Mostly brown this day. You reach the bottom of a little drop in the trail and come upon one of the beaver ponds. There are several in the open meadow, but this one is the closest.

After passing 1 Beaver Lane, the mounded trail resorts to traditional tread and begins its climb up and into the spruce/fir forest. This is a very popular trail, so the tread is quite worn, and exposed roots can be a problem. Just keep one eye on the ground so you won’t trip or slip.

The spruce trees are magnificent, 50-60 feet tall, they remind me of the ones you see brought to the White House lawn for Christmas each year. When the rain would come down a little harder, Dave and I would find a seat on a log beneath the heavy boughs of the spruce waiting for it to abate somewhat.

There were more people on the trail here than our previous hike on the day before. We weren’t the only crazy ones out in the cold and rain. One time when we were huddled under a spruce grove, we remained quiet and still as a group of three other hikers passed by. They never had a clue we were there. Makes me wonder how much wildlife I miss on my weekly hiking excursions by simply not being aware of my surroundings.

Here we are, comfortable and dry beneath a giant spruce grove protected from the elements.

About a mile and a half up the trail, perhaps a little farther, you break the forest and walk into a large mountain meadow beneath the imposing form of Shrine Ridge. The trail continues to the right and then makes a steady climb approximately 2-300 feet to the ridge line. Having been there years ago, I can report that the vistas are remarkable from the crest of Shrine Ridge.

From the ridge you can see the Gore Range to the north, the Sawatch Range and Holy Cross Wilderness to the southwest, the Tenmile Range and Copper Mountain ski area to the southeast, and the Flat Top Mountains to the west. It is a wonderful viewpoint.

Not so on this day however. The entire length of the ridge was shrouded in fog. We knew it would be futile to climb up there hoping for some views. In fact, the clouds totally enveloped us in every direction, completely unusual for the Rocky Mountains.

So we decided to explore the meadow instead. At least a hundred acres in size, the meadow was covered in shin-high (wet) grass. It sits in a bowl beneath the curved wall of Shrine Ridge. This would be a great place to bring your family in summer. Let the dog run free. Throw the frisbee. Put down a picnic blanket. If you come real early in the morning you are likely to see elk or deer grazing in the field.

We weren’t grazing in the field, but we did stop long enough to pose for a selfie.

On the way back, we decided to walk through the spruce forest rather than make another pass through the wet grass. We found an ideal log beneath the canopy and enjoyed our sandwiches. The forest floor was alive with a bright green ground cover that was even turning red near the edges of the meadow.

Once we got back to the Shrine Ridge Trail, it became immediately evident that several more hikers had joined the fray. We continued to see groups of 2-3 the rest of the way back to the car. There was still no evidence of sunshine, or the clouds trying to lift, so our decision to forego Shrine Ridge remained a good one.

When we got back to the car, we continued about another two miles down Shrine Pass Road to a Forest Service pullout with a view platform of Mount of the Holy Cross. Unfortunately, on this day, it too was completely socked in clouds and fog. You can’t win ’em all. Later in the day, 4:00 turned out to be nice and sunny, so I snapped a picture of some cottonwood trees in peak autumn regalia.

Summarizing Shrine Ridge, this is an easy hike to do if you don’t go all the way to the top of the ridge. Even if you do, it is still only moderately hard. The meadow below the ridge is a great place for the whole family to spend a day recreating and relaxing. If you make it to the top on a clear day, the views in every direction are what you expect from high mountain hiking in the Rockies. Access is conveniently located no more than a half hour drive from Vail.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

The U.S. Forest Service has done a nice job of building trails up the watersheds that drain into the Town of Vail. Included among these is Spraddle Creek, located across I-70 from Vail Village. The reward at the top of the ridge is a mountain meadow that overlooks Vail, Beaver Creek ski mountain, and the Holy Cross Wilderness far, far away. Hike in late September for an extra treat of peak golden aspen color. My brother Dave and I enjoyed Spraddle Creek Trail on Thursday, September 29, 2016 beginning at 9:00AM and ending about 1:30PM. Our plan was to take Spraddle Creek Trail to where it spills into a grassy mountain meadow, returning the same way.

Living in the Southern Appalachians as I do, I am able to enjoy the lovely autumn colors of the maple, oak, hickory, poplar and many other hardwood trees that are native to the area. The Rocky Mountains don’t have the same variety, but the astounding aspen forests put on quite the show themselves. Vail, Colorado is truly one of the most beautiful regions when it comes to dazzling aspen finery.

In the introduction above I mentioned the trails that climb the watersheds around Vail. Others my brother and I have hiked during previous visits to his neck of the woods have included Booth Lake Trail, a nice one with an exciting waterfall and beautiful alpine lake, and Bighorn Trail that reaches all the way up into Eagles Nest Wilderness. Now, add Spraddle Creek Trail to this list.

The other trails mentioned above are in the East Vail section of town. Spraddle Creek is directly across from central Vail. Make a short trip up Spraddle Creek Road to the hiker’s parking at Vail Stables. The trailhead is behind the forest road gate. On maps this trail may be designated as Spraddle Creek Road. Roughly the first mile of the trail is sandy — a consequence of horse traffic from the stable (watch your step lest your boot tread become mired with you know what) — as it gently climbs above the stable.

You come to a hairpin turn after less than a half mile, reversing to a westerly direction. There is a short spur trail to the right that leads to a marvelous view of the Gore Range looking east up the valley. We decided to save that for our return from the destination. And that destination is a high mountain meadow more than 1,200 feet above that overlooks the Vail ski mountain and its cousin Beaver Creek to the west, as well as the tips of some of the tallest peaks that jut from Holy Cross Wilderness.

In addition to Engelmann spruce, fir and aspen trees that are abundant along Spraddle Creek Trail, it is also lined with low-lying bush type plants that are in seed this time of year. Some that we observed include the pulsatilla pasqueflower, yellow goatsbeard, and fizzynotions (a flowering plant in the sagebrush family).

After about a mile, the trail hardens from sand to dirt as apparently the horses go a different direction. For a few hundred yards it also flattens out somewhat. Since this was my first day in town, it made a nice altitude acclimatization trail for me.

Roughly a mile and a half from the trailhead we reached the remains of an old cabin. Because hunting has been popular in this area in decades past, the cabin was likely hunter’s quarters at one time. Deer and elk are abundant here in the summer, and the ridge along the eastern boundary is Canada lynx habitat, as well as home to bighorn sheep and mountain goats.

Dave stands in what is left of an early 20th century cabin on Spraddle Creek Trail. The roof was completely gone, but the sidewalls, hewn from massive evergreen trunks, were still in good shape.

Soon after passing the cabin, the trail curls to the north and enters a luscious aspen forest that hugs both sides of Spraddle Creek. You can’t really approach the creek itself because it is surrounded by impassable willow thickets. From an environmental perspective, this area has critical importance as a buffer between urban development in Vail and Eagles Nest Wilderness to the south and east.

We seem to have caught the aspen forest at peak golden glory. Combined with the azure blue sky and bright sunshine, the brilliant golden glow made me put on my sunglasses. The trail once again begins a moderate ascent along the creek. Watch for deer in this area as they frequently come to feed on the grass beneath the aspen canopy. Also, turn and look behind you for occasional views of the ski slopes on Vail Mountain.

The higher we got, the more dense the aspen forest. A gentle breeze was rustling the gold leaves, providing a visual understanding of why they are called quaking aspens. The goatsbeard seed tops were in abundance on this day. If you aren’t familiar; think of a giant dandelion. The cottony seeds are whisked on a gust and planted furlongs away for next year.

A bit past two miles you reach a trail junction. Take the south (right) fork here. A left/steeper fork continues a little further toward Bald Mountain which is itself a pretty popular local climb. The trail also levels once again, and the evergreens become more abundant. Instead of fallen aspen leaves carpeting the trail, now it is pine and spruce needles. Stroll through the breathtaking aroma for a half mile and then you see the clearing.

The forest opens up and the abundance of Vail spreads out before you. This large open meadow is prime habitat for elk, so approach quietly and you may be fortunate to witness a few grazing before they see (or smell) you. The views are incredible.

Dave and I pose for a selfie in the mountain meadow where we chose a spot for lunch.

Directly across the valley you can see the massive expanse of the Vail ski mountain. Golden Peak (named for its proliferation of aspen trees) is directly across. To the west you can make out the slopes of Beaver Creek ski resort, 15 miles distant. Between the two is the jagged peak of Mt. Jackson. As you’re peering at the scene in front of you, it’s one of those WOW! moments.

After lunch, we decided to continue on up the ridge a little ways, perhaps another quarter mile. We found ourselves once again surrounded by bright yellow aspen quaking in the breeze. This would be a great place to bring your whole family with a picnic basket and blanket in the summer. Open meadow, ideal for running toddlers and pups, combined with breathtaking alpine vistas. What more could you want?

Soon, we decided I probably shouldn’t overdo on my first day. After all, we were only about 200 feet short of 10,000 elevation. I live at 2 thousand and hike at 6, so the air is a bit thinner than what I’m accustomed to. So we turned around to begin our descent off the mountain.

The return was uneventful. Just gorgeous weather, stunning scenery, aromalicious forest, and great company. That’s all. We took the spur trail at the hairpin that I mentioned above for a great view of the ribbon of I-70 piercing through Vail and Gore Range far in the distance.

When we got back to the car, they were loading up all the horses at Vail Stables into trailors. Turns out this was the last day of the season. Winter comes fast in the Colorado Rockies.

To summarize, all-in-all a very delightful hike above Vail, and one that was perfect for me to get used to the higher elevation in the Rocky Mountains. This hike is doable in all seasons, but be sure to bring ice traction in winter. It’s a great trek for the whole family, one I’m sure the youngsters would enjoy too. Best of all, if you’re visiting Vail for some other reason, it is conveniently nearby.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

The BLM formally released its final environmental impact statement for its review of 65 existing leases on the White River National Forest that were issued over the past 20 years.

The preferred alternative in the document lays a path to cancel the controversial Divide leases that cover a swath of land stretching from Sunlight Mountain Resort southwest of Glenwood Springs, Colorado to McClure Pass south of Carbondale, CO.

It’s a huge victory for the Carbondale-based Thompson Divide Coalition, which has been fighting for years to protect the higher-elevation eastern fringe of the natural gas-rich Piceance Basin from drilling.

The preferred alternative is consistent with the BLM’s earlier-stated intention to cancel the Thompson Divide leases. The final EIS will be open for a 30-day public comment period starting Aug. 5, 2016 and a final decision is expected this fall, the BLM said.

Industry groups have indicated that they will likely challenge any lease cancellations in court. Other groups said the BLM didn’t go far enough in extending protections to other parts of the forest.

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