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| Backpack | 9.30 Miles |
2,870 AEG |
| | Backpack | 9.30 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 2,870 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | I led 15 members of my Higher Ground 4x4 group to Colorado from Saturday to Saturday, camping in a different spot almost every night. Since I was the plan man, I split the trip 50/50 between tires and shoes. That whittled down the participants on the hiking days to a solid 6 who weren't afraid to venture out from behind their windshields and sack up, their gear, on their shoulders. Day 3 (Monday) had us finishing the Alpine Loop with Animas Forks around 3pm and straight after the hikers set out towards South Mineral Creek and Ice Lakes Basin. We drove up the Clear Lake road to the upper trailhead and began our journey.
We got our feet wet almost immediately in the large unavoidable waterfall which broke the ice for us for the other stream crossings. We made pretty decent time up, all the while watching the sky darken with storms. The lower basin was absolutely beautiful even in the graying light. The chest high plants encroached around us as the foot path became more defined with no where else to go. I spotted our camp spot and we worked on finding a path that would lead us in that direction without us making any new footprints, damaging the flora.
We arrived at the best camp spot in the world I've ever had the privilege of staying at just as it began to sprinkle. Camp was directly below a double waterfall, right on the creek, nestled in the trees, with a vantageful view of the entire basin spread out before us. We set everything up, getting our gear out of the rain, but just standing under one of the large trees did the trick of keeping you dry. We did manage a fire but we had to stay with it to keep it burning the wet wood in the high altitude (fun trick we learned on Imogene, use one of those battery powered air mattress blower uppers. Point it at the fire and enjoy the extra oxygen)
We woke in the morning and day packed to the upper lakes. It only took about 30 minutes to get topside as Ice Lake came into view. We goofed around for a bit and found an awesome flower patch much better than those in American Basin. It stayed pretty overcast so I took the chance of heading up to Island Lake just in case it cleared. The others began after me but I managed to get to the Lake just as the sun came out for a short stint. Once the three others came up, the clouds had returned and we laid out for a bit and ate lunches. My sister noticing the marmots all of sudden getting their curious on tried to convince her husband if you stood arms outstretched, they would come give you a hug. Oddly enough, it kind of worked and he freaked out when they reached his 5ft out safety circle. Dana, the braver of the two, decided she'd get down on their level and shared part of her lunch with one.
We packed back up when it began hailing and howling and hiked down to join the rest of our group back at Ice Lake. The precipitation let up but not before those who weren't rain proof, got soaked through. They had had enough and returned to camp but I again chanced it. 10 minutes later I had all the sunlight I could ever want. It was funny how one minute you needed your fleece and softshell and then the next you just wanted your t-shirt. I goofed around more and explored some other spots before coming down to camp. Shortly after, we got some more rain and a nice rainbow out in the basin.
Another marmot incident happened that night at camp as one began fussing at Jared from under a tree next to a tent. All of a sudden I heard Chris girly giggle profusely and saw him run away from the other side of the tree shouting "I touched his butt!" Many jokes ensued including him being deemed The Puppeteer and a similar one that revolved around him earlier on the trail actually finding a tube of o-ring lube. So there's that.
Anyway...We woke the next morning in a cloud. Shortly after it burned off we began our hike down to the waiting Jeeps so we could begin Black Bear to Imogene.
I'll add tracks and times later. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
Armchair Crisis Design |
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