TR: Willow Lake, Sangres (dayhike)

Thur, Oct. 1

ca 10 miles, +/– 2,500 ft.

2:15 up

1:00 enjoying lake basin

2:15 down

I know those times seem wrong, but they're not. After a month at high elevation, and 100+ miles on my tires, I wanted to see what kind of trail legs/lungs I had built up, so I set a very ambitious pace, and challenged myself to walk it continuously, at least to treeline where the scenery would intensify. I did ease the pace a little in the upper basin, for mostly aesthetic but also physical reasons.

On the way down, by contrast, I did not push at all, and I stopped to chat with the other interesting folks on the trail today. (It's Willow Lake, so there are always others on the trail: even on a Thursday in October. And in and around Crestone, you *always* meet interesting people.

Two interesting chats:

1. A geology professor who told me that one of the reasons the summer storms are so hellacious in the Sangres is that there is a very prevalent rock type (she showed me) that is very high in iron content. So the whole Sangre range is literally a giant lightning rod. That certainly jibes with my experience, and also I believe the climbing death rates, which I'm sure I read are higher in the Sangres than other Colorado ranges.

2. A pair of retired climbers who were making camp, preparing to climb Kit Carson tomorrow. One of them told me he is 71. I said "I salute you, and please God let that be me." He said the key, in his opinion, was to not let your fitness go during down times (like winter), because as you get older, iot gets harder and harder to *regain* it.

Anyway, as I hit the lake, some bighorn scurried off. After about 10 minutes, I re-spotted them on some rocks above the lake. They were ewes and lambs.

The waterfall above the lake, and the numerous ones below it, were stunning as always.

I wore my Merrel Moab Vent low non-GTX shoes, having no reason to think my feet would get wet from the outside. I LOVE my Salomon Quest GTX boots, but the better ventilation was really appreciated. In had taped up my usual problem areas, but then realized that "usual" was based not only on my feet, but on my usual Salomon boots. So I was a little worried about getting blisters, but my feet were fine. burntfoot has a pretty ambitious hike planned for us on Sunday, so I have to stay tanned, rested, and ready.

Sunday will be my last mountain hike for 2020--I head home from my most excellent retreat on Tuesday.

First view of the upper basin:

Aspen-lined Willow Creek Park, Crestone, San Luis Valley, San Juans in the distance:

Lunch spot selfie.