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Post by lennox on Jun 7, 2019 19:57:33 GMT -8
I am looking for a wilderness lake destination backpack with alpine meadows. Something similar to the Highland Mary Lakes / Verde Lakes in the Weminuche Wilderness. However, I need to be within about a 2 hour drive of either Colorado Springs or Boulder due to where I need to be before and after backpacking. I have 4WD capability (a Jeep). This would be in mid-July. It need not be in the vicinity of a 14er, but something in the 12-13K range would be nice to visit. The Flat Tops Wilderness looks interesting, but is a little too far away. Somewhere away from the big crowds typical of the RMNP and Indian Peaks would be ideal. Does a place like this exist? Somewhere in the Lost Creek, James Peak, or Vasquez Peak Wildernesses?
Thanks, Lennox
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Post by trinity on Jun 8, 2019 12:38:10 GMT -8
I haven't been there (yet), but I wonder it the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness might fit the bill. You should be able to get there from Colorado Springs in under two hours.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jun 8, 2019 14:48:42 GMT -8
The Westcliffe, CO area has some of the most spectacular drainages you will ever find into the sensational Sangre de Cristo. IMO this range is the ultimate glory of Colorado. Message me and I can tell you where to find my photo album of the Sangres on facebook. The Comance-Venable Loop is ETRAORDINARY. So are Horn Lakes, Dry Lakes, Goodwin Lakes, Sand Creek Lakes,Macey Lakes, etc. 90 minutes to Westcliffe and a bit further to trailheads. These drainages rival our Wind Rivers. Here is Dry Lakes in late November and there is no justice in this photo. 3 hikes there NEVER saw another person but the area nas become more popular in recent years.  |
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000 
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 8, 2019 15:05:00 GMT -8
absarokanaut, is that Horn Lakes in your photo? That's about how I remember it from ~10 years ago.
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Post by lennox on Jun 9, 2019 13:18:44 GMT -8
Thanks for the Sangre de Cristo suggestions. I had not thought of looking there. Even though I plan to be in Westcliffe prior to going to the Springs and Boulder. Gonna look up the suggestions on my maps.
Lennox
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Post by cweston on Jun 11, 2019 9:10:32 GMT -8
I second the Sangres.
The Comanche-Venable loop is awesome. Consider an extra side-trip over Veneble Pass to Groundhog Basin, in the N Fork North Crestone drainage. (The last little bit into the basin is off-trail.)
I'm also a big fan of Upper Sand Creek via Music Pass. The view of from the saddle at the head of Sand Creek is jaw-dropping.
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Post by trailsharts on Jun 12, 2019 7:39:43 GMT -8
Probably a stupid question, but what are the chances of this being doable in early July? Did that area get hit hard with snow?
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Post by cweston on Jun 12, 2019 8:18:18 GMT -8
Probably a stupid question, but what are the chances of this being doable in early July? Did that area get hit hard with snow? Good question. The Sangres are usually gold any time in July, but it has been a wet spring. I'd check SNOTEL: if the area is, say, within 125% of normal, then early July would probably be good. Mosquitos could be bad, too--there is a brief season there, usually in about the third week of June. Note that there are some areas that have been discussed here that I would not want to travel with any snow/ice on the trail: the Phantom Terrace portion of the Comanche/Venable loop, and the "trail" from the upper Sand Creek saddle to Milwaukee Pass (aka Cottonwood Pass). |
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Post by marmotstew on Jun 12, 2019 9:55:11 GMT -8
Goodwin lakes is pretty cool. And it’s close to Westcliffe and probably within 2 of the Springs.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jun 15, 2019 7:23:54 GMT -8
absarokanaut , is that Horn Lakes in your photo? That's about how I remember it from ~10 years ago. First Dry Lake. I do not know how to get blue name and what that does. Do you get an alert or something if I could do your name in blue to? Technomoronman here. I think Cweston zeroing in on Sand Creek Lakes or the Comanche Venable Loop is worth serious consideration, |
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Post by cweston on Jun 15, 2019 7:53:13 GMT -8
I do not know how to get blue name and what that does. Do you get an alert or something if I could do your name in blue to? Technomoronman here. If you type the "@" sign followed by a board username (no space between) it tags that user |
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