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| Hiking | 7.55 Miles |
2,277 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.55 Miles | 4 Hrs 47 Mns | | 2.01 mph |
| 2,277 ft AEG | 1 Hour 2 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | We wasted no time taking on an arduous hike on our first full day in Colorado. At 7.5 miles and almost 2300' elevation gain it was a breathless welcome to 12,000 feet!
With the plan to check out Black Bear Pass yet today we decided to start from the upper trail head, saving maybe .25 mi and 200' of elevation gain. As it was, we had plenty elevation gain on the hike.
Starting from the upper TH we passed across the bottom of a waterfall before connecting with the path from the lower TH. There was no sign at the junction so people can (and did) inadvertently continue toward the upper TH instead of the sharp left turn to stay on the trail. A few people saved themselves the trouble by asking us if they were on the Ice Lake Trail when in fact they were headed the wrong way. Later when we chatted with some locals they said there used to be a sign and didn't realize it was not still there. (Apparently the two gals were chatting so much they didn't notice it missing.)
Onward and upward we climbed. We came through a wide area where it was obvious some very heavy runoff had taken place not long ago. Later in the hike we met a guy who said it had happened within the last few days because it wasn't that way when he was here 4 days before.
Every time we thought Ice Lake was just over the hill we'd make it over the rise and find another hill to climb. But no matter, the scenery was fabulous in all directions. The only thing that dampened the mood a bit was the sky, more overcast than clear, and eventually we got sprinkled on a few times. But at least no thunderstorms!
Once we made it to Ice Lake I hesitated to mention to Tracey I'd like to continue on to Fuller Lake because I was afraid she'd say no more. But since we were this far, what's another mile round-trip? In the end it was well worth it. We met a guy who had camped overnight at Fuller Lake and was busy frying up a few trout he had caught in the lake.
Ok, now for the return trek. A few more sprinkles and some very close to showers to follow us on our way but again nothing heavy.
With over 900 photos and 40+ videos it will be a while before I get caught up. I'll post the best of the photos here on HAZ but the full set of 81 photos is here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/album.php?id=194
Video is posted here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/file.php?id=210 |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
