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| | | Lewis Creek Trail #1331, CO | | | |
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Lewis Creek Trail #1331, CO
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| Hiking | 10.35 Miles |
3,106 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.35 Miles | 6 Hrs 33 Mns | | 1.64 mph |
| 3,106 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Colorado Trip September 2022 - Day #3 (Hike #5)
Lewis Creek Trail #1331
After two days each with two hikes for roughly 10 miles each day, we felt we were up for the planned 'Big Kahuna' of the trip... Lakes of the Clouds Trail in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. It would be the longest in distance and time, the most AEG and reaching the highest elevation of any hikes on our trip.
Unfortunately the forecast changed significantly overnight so it was not to be. Ok, let's do another pick-a-hike in the San Isabel's. The last two days we went south so let's take look northward. Of the half-dozen trails I had tracks of only Lewis Creek fit the bill for a 10+ mile hike.
Little did we know this one would tax us as physically as the Lake of the Clouds hike, if not more so. Although it reached a high point a thousand feet less than L-o-t-C hike, the AEG was likely 1K more.
The trail began reasonably easy but it wasn't long before the tread turned rockier, and shortly thereafter, the elevation gain began in earnest. Although every step required much more attention than yesterday's Squirrel Creek hike, being forced to hike at a slower pace I never felt out-of-breath. The one steady 9-12" step-up at-a-time was actually easier on the body than a constant steady ramp upward.
While much of the time we were surrounded by trees, we had more scenic views than prior hikes. Unfortunately my camera seemed to have a mind of its own, with many photos turning out very dark. I have the option of using either the monitor screen or the viewfinder when taking photos and had been using both depending on whether there was a reflection on the screen. Of course without looking at every photo I didn't realize it soon enough. It turned out to be a combination of factors, partly the camera's 'Intelligent-photo' capability and partly an inadvertent physical change in the setting dial. While I fully accept my responsibility for the latter (dial moved when taking camera out and/or putting it back in the case), I was NOT happy with the 'Intelligent mode' results. For whatever reason it decided there was too much light so the resulting photos were dark. Which is why shortly after buying the camera 7 months prior I had such finicky results that I NEVER used the camera in that mode again... at least by choice.
Ok, enough with the equipment malfunctions. On with the climb... up, up, switchback, up, up, switchback, up, up, switchback, 'To infinity and beyond"... at least it seemed. Upon reaching the first (and almost only) open area we caught wind of elk... more accurately the odor from their droppings. Unfortunately we wouldn't see any wildlife other than birds and a squirrel or two. Which would be the case for our whole vacation. The only game we'd see was looking out the window on the slopes around the Air BnB.
Once we reached the 'top' of the trail at the FSR 315 upper trailhead all we found was an open field of nothing. (The trailhead is reachable by a long winding drive on a number of forest roads from the west with a capable 4x4) So, instead of taking a lunch-break at a less-than-scenic spot, we decided to head back a ways and take a detour out to an overlook for a short lunch and siesta. Nice large boulders, shade and a breeze and we took a well-earned rest. Ok, might as well add a few ants, after all it was like a picnic.
Time to head back. Surprisingly time seemed to fly on the descent, reaching memorable spots much sooner than expected. It was a good thing as while the steps-ups on the climb made it feel easier, the constant steps down were not kind to my arthritic hip or knees.
Thankfully (huh?) the constant LOUD ringing in my ears managed to keep half of my mind occupied wondering where the hordes of cicadas were. (24/7 my tinnitus is a never-ending blast of cicadas at 80-90% of full volume... with that for the background noise sometimes I wonder how I can still hear the rustle of a lizard's tail nearby while hiking... but I CAN!)
Back to the hike... ok, we're already back to the trailhead, that's it for today. What's up for tomorrow? Another two-fer? Or another attempt at Lake of the Clouds? We will see whether the weather is conducive to either. |
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