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Post by cweston on Jun 27, 2023 6:57:53 GMT -8
In late July, there is no place in the Winds or GYE that will have low mosquito populations other than far above tree line and away from water. Dad's is low with a lot of trees, making it even worse. It's unlikely there will be enough nights below freezing to kill them off. One reason I always go in September. Alas, this is really generally true, not just for those specific places. As you go further south in the Rockies, the overall mosquito levels go down, but you're still likely to encounter them in low forested areas and near lakes. (You could go really south, to New Mexico, but it gets pretty hot down there in July.) If avoiding mosquitos is really a top priority, I'd concentrate on high-elevation routes where you can drive your city car to the trailhead. These are typically going to be shorter out-and-back trips as opposed to loops, but that's good for a kid/beginner anyway. Maybe you could do one such overnighter...if it goes over well, do another shorter trip elsewhere. If it doesn't, shift to a plan B?
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 3, 2023 8:44:09 GMT -8
I think I have a way to make it a 4-5 day trip depending. Head up either Willow Lake trail or South Crestone lake trail, whichever is better for fishing and exploring. We can stay there 2 or 3 nights. If we stay 2, then day three, pack up and head to the other lake. Stay a night there then head on down. If we stay 3 nights, maybe head out day 4. It's easy to shorten the trip if need be. Looks beautiful for the wow's. Any info on fishing either lakes?
Skeeter's be damned!
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Post by cweston on Jul 3, 2023 9:22:05 GMT -8
I can't speak to the fishing, but Willow Lake is better for exploring: one can hike up to the inlet falls and explore the upper valley of Willow Creek above the falls. It's also a slightly easier hike. It's quite a popular destination--you'll never have it to yourself. Finding a legal camp could be tricky on a weekend. (It's popular for a reason, of course--it's super scenic.) South Crestone Lake is a little more closed in: you *can* explore upstream from the lake, but it's a little more challenging terrain. Keep in mind that you cannot travel from one of these lakes to the other, except by descending back to the (shared) trailhead. Relating to TrailElder 's earlier caveat: These are both fairly typical Sangres trails, which is to say, pretty steep and relentless. These two trails are a little less steep than some in the area, but not necessarily beginner-friendly. The trailhead is city-car accessible, but the road does get a little rough toward the end. A little more beginner-friendly destination in the Sangres, not far from there, but on the east side of the range, is Macey Lakes, from the Horn Creek trailhead. There's good camping at the first lake, with two higher lakes to explore. It's about the same elevation gain as South Crestone, and Willow, but spread out over a couple more miles of trail. Any of these hikes should be fairly mosquito-free by late July.
Speaking of critters--the marmots in this area can be very aggressive about chewing gear. Keep a good eye out in camp.
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Post by trinity on Jul 3, 2023 13:41:07 GMT -8
Speaking of critters--the marmots in this area can be very aggressive about chewing gear. Keep a good eye out in camp. I won't go back to the Sangres without a sidearm.
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 4, 2023 18:43:20 GMT -8
Speaking of critters--the marmots in this area can be very aggressive about chewing gear. Keep a good eye out in camp. So, what do you do about them?
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Post by cweston on Jul 5, 2023 4:00:30 GMT -8
So, what do you do about them? Mostly, keep a very tidy camp, so that everything you need to "defend" is not spread out all over. They're not much for climbing, so if there are trees, you can hang things off the ground. You can bluff charge and yell when they come too close to you and your gear. In a place like Willow Lake, where there will undoubtedly be others camped in the area, maybe these things are enough to make them concentrate their efforts at someone else's camp? They like the saltiness of anything that's been sweat on, so packs, trekking pole straps, etc are their preferred targets.
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 7, 2023 14:30:21 GMT -8
I might be more inclined to suck wind really bad on a steeper incline than to have my thoughts run wild when fishing? Next thing ya know, there's a heard of em descending on my camp with yellow teeth barred!!! I won't get any peace :-)
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 23, 2023 17:47:03 GMT -8
The boy and I are in Westcliffe as I type. We head into Macey Lakes in the morning. I appreciate all the help.
Thank you
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Post by cweston on Jul 23, 2023 18:19:31 GMT -8
Have a great trip.
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Post by absarokanaut on Aug 1, 2023 8:21:04 GMT -8
How was it man?
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TrailElder
Trail Wise!
Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed
Posts: 507
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Post by TrailElder on Aug 8, 2023 4:29:37 GMT -8
Yes, looking forward to the TR!
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