On Your Feet - Trails and Gear

[Skatchkins]

Example Gear Needed:
Sleeping Bag
Hiking shoes
Camera
A love for maps
Food and dry food
Pack
Tent
Expect it to rain for around an hour each afternoon

For every thousand feet of elevation that is gained along the Colorado hiking trails, the temperature will drop 5.5 degrees. Additionally, ultraviolet radiation increases about 26 percent at elevations between 5,000 feet and 14,000 feet. With this in mind, when you plan your Colorado hiking trip, be sure to pack for all types of weather conditions, and make sure that you bring plenty of sunscreen.

Hike 1: Ice Lake Basin
Difficult

Distance:
7.3 miles round trip

2.2 miles to the west end of Lower Ice Lake Basin
Add 1 mile more to Ice Lake and upper Lakes
Add another 1.7 miles for optional side hikes, i.e. Island and Fuller Lake

Elevation Gain:
1230 feet of elevation gain to the west end of Lower Ice Lake Basin.
(The 4WD trailhead cuts off 500 feet of elevation gain)
It is another 1 mile and 750 feet of elevation gain to Ice Lake

Est Time:
2.5 to 3hrs to Ice Lake (but we may camp in lower basin)
1hr optional to Fuller or Island Lake
Return time - 2hrs

Gear:
Be prepared for above the tree line

Water Availability:
Plenty

Estimated Temperature:
Low 40's at night
Low 70's during the day

Trip Notes
Hiking group plans on two nights camping on trail (proposed_campsite.kml)
Area is great for day hikes
Shortening trip to just camping in lower basin (only 2.2mi) is an option
The 2 nights is mostly so we can lose ourselves and explore w/o schedule

Map Lovins:
Google Earth Tracks


Links:
http://www.aroundcolorado.com/trip_r...ake/index.html

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Hike 2: Blue Lakes
Moderate/Difficult

Plan may vary dependent upon weather conditions.
Possible but flexible full plan consists of drop off at the end of Yankee Boy Basin, hiking up to the pass, down to the lakes for camping, then out rendezvousing with main group at North Trailhead (Trailhead.kml).
Plan B consists only of N Trailhead to Lakes to camp, then returning same way

Plan A
Distance:

1.8 miles up to Pass
2.2 miles to Lower Lake (camp?)
3.3 miles to exit TH

Elevation Gain:
1400 feet of elevation gain to Pass
Rest is descent

Est Time:
1.5hr to Pass
2hr to Lower Lake (camp)
1.75hr to Out

Gear:
Be prepared for Pass

Water Availability:
Plenty in Lakes area

Plan B (North Trailhead)
Distance:

3.3 to Lower Lakes (camp)
Add 1.2 miles next day to Upper Lakes

Elevation Gain:
1600 feet of elevation gain to Lower Lakes
Add 760 feet to Upper Lakes

Est Time:
2hrs to Lower Lakes
Add 1hr to Upper Lakes
Return from upper 2.25hrs

Water Availability:
Plenty

Estimated Temperature:
Low 40's at night
Low 70's during the day

Trip Notes
See Plan A&B differences

Map Lovins:
Plan A (Leg 1) Google Earth Tracks
Plan B (Leg 2) Google Earth Tracks


Links:
http://www.widerange.org/gallery/blue-lakes-colorado/l

[Avis]

Is everyone planning on this? or just a few of you going?

[alanzona]

Mike can clarify, but I believe this trail head is very close to another, less agressive camping/hiking area. If that's the case, I'll probably end up there and fish/wheel a little bit. Fishing poles should be included in recommended gear! I'm going to get a visitor license while in CO and try to wet a hook as often as possible.

[Avis]

Cool, simply because of our lack of gear and money to buy gear, I probably wont' stray to far from the jeep. Was just curious if anyone else was thinking the same

[alanzona]

I was thinking I'm old and fat and out of shape... but thanks for bringing it up. LOL

[Avis]

lol I wasn't gonna say it

[Skatchkins]

Mike can clarify, but I believe this trail head is very close to another, less agressive camping/hiking area. If that's the case, I'll probably end up there and fish/wheel a little bit.

From the parking lot for the hikers, continue up the hill to Clear Lake:

There are no facilities at the lake, but there’s lots of parking and wide open spots for a picnic. Clear Lake is also a local fishing spot.

http://coloradovibes.com/offroad-trails/clear-lake/

You could do some hiking and opt out of the backpacking, just returning to the camp with the vehicles:

Established campground near hiking trailhead: South Mineral
http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/roc...outh%20mineral

Spaces can be occupied. Along S Mineral Creek are Free undeveloped spots



And Alan, nice try on the old part Isn't Marathon Jon like the same age as you or is that Sc00by?

[Avis]

Not a big fan of "camp grounds" Paying to sleep on the ground doesn't settle well with me lol I take it Clear lake is separate from the South Mineral campground?

[Skatchkins]

You're out since you can't read maps. How can you love map if you can't read.
Embrace your inner map and you will find the path.

[offroadaz]

yes, clear lake is separate

just look for the giant letter E on the ground and you will know you are at the campground

havent you ever flown of the US? All the states are color coded just like on a map

geeze