Opinion: Boulder Lake

This hike would be on the top 10 list of most outdoorsmen.  Trail is on stable ground with few exceptions.  The exceptions are a few mountain springs which run across trail and create a short  stretch  of mud.  The difficult part is a (30-40 minute) section, all down and steep.  At the bottom, trail makes a brief up to a split.  Go right and you will approach the lake from the Southeast.  Turn left and walk through a meadow before the approach to the lake.  Soak up all of natures' beauty and ample solitude at the lake.  Because the return trip will test your physical strength and endurance.  Allow added time and be prepared for a much slower pace for this climb.  There are a number of spots where you will look up and think you are close to the top...just another false summit.  This hike is one I would recommend for everyone but first-time hikers.  The reward, after a good workout on trail, is the lake setting.  Picture the front cover of "Outside" magazines award winning Summer Edition.  That is what you will see. Happy Trails! 

Shutter was clicking all day!

It's gonna be a good day when you focus the lense of your camera soon after leaving the TH.  Today, mountainsides loaded with Aspen and wildflowers, stunning vistas of the Gore Range to a lake (9,782' elev.) nestled in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, all in one day.  The camera...it captured over 60 images.  

Landscapes and Boulder Lake

We returned on the Rock Creek Trail to the intersection with Gore Range Trail.  The surrounding mountain sides in this area have been hit hard by the Pine Beetle.  Trail remains moderate to 2.8 mi.  There is becomes extremely rocky and steep.  Steep down, that is.  This down lasted no less than 40 minutes.  Trail then skirts a meadow, and a short up before reaching Boulder Lake.  A setting reserved for the cover of "Outdoors" Magazine.  We took advantage of the opportunity.  Although a quick rain shower came through, soon the sun dominated the landscape again.  The beauty of this spot had been captured on a camera chip.  Now, I am anxious to see what I captured.  Next blog will describe photos.

First HIke of the 100 MIle Challenge!

Rock Creek Trail is used heavily.  Wide at first, it continues up a mild grade and meets the Gore Range Trail.  We took the Gore Range Trail for about 3 miles. There, the trail dissipated at an abandon mine site.  Views to the West of the Gore Range,  put me in a trance.  Far below us, a stream was running with reckless abandon, full of high country run-off.  Large snow-fields remain on the higher slopes.  As a result of Spring/Summer rains, the mountain sides are loaded with brightly colored wildflowers.  As we increased in elevation, trail became full of loose rocks.  Footing was not the best in some sections.  About 65% of train had good to total canopy.  Temps remained in the low 70's all day.  Obviously, lots of photos today.  Next post describes landscapes we saw.     

The Gore Range/Boulder Lake

A great hike today, one that will be added to a top ten list for many of our readers.  We started at the Rock Creek TH, 2.8 mi. West of Highway 9, and 7.7 mi. North of Silverthorne.  At the TH by 9:15, we wasted no time getting on trail.  The TH is at 9,443' elev.  We reached 10,195' at one point.  Total elevation gain for the day was 2,923'.  Total mileage today was 10.9.  The hike took 4 hrs. 49 min. to complete at an average speed of 1.68 mph.  My next post will describe trail conditions, scenery, wildlife, and an opinion.