2021 Girls' Trip to Colorado

2021 Girls' Trip to Colorado

Our hiking team included: Mary (me - ID), Ann (ID), Jen (MN), Lora (MN), Anita (MN), and Krista (MO)

The expected altitude for the Maroon Bells 4 Pass Loop is no joke with four mountain passes all around 12,500 ft. in elevation, so our preparation included arriving to the Aspen area for some day hikes for acclimation.

American Lake Day Hike

Lora, Anita, Krista, Mary, and Ann at American Lake

Our first day hike on Aug 2, 2921, was to American Lake out of Aspen.  We left early due to the recent rain fall and forecasted rain for the afternoon.  Our starting altitude was near 9,000 and we climbed to 

bird looking for handouts

11,400.  I started to experience altitude symptoms at 10,000 promptly, despite living at 2,700 and doing numerous altitude training hikes in ID.  My symptoms were primarily nausea, lightheadedness, and a mild headache.  

I later realized I was a bit dehydrated, and this didn't help my body's effort to acclimate.  

We arrived in time for a nice lunch break at the lake then we had a wet return hike to the car.  

Stats for this hike: distance 6.5 miles, elevation gain 1,970 ft.

Cathedral Lake Day Hike

Leaving Cathedral Lake, Paintbrush in foreground

Our second day hike on Aug 3, 2021, was one that had two options: Electric Pass and/or Cathedral Lake.  The TH began near 10,00 and I hiked up to 12,000 prior to taking the long route to Cathedral

Lake and returning to the car.  Three of the five in the day's hike did proceed to the pass.  Our views were limited by the weather.  Rain was mixed with clouds throughout the day.  

View of the trail descending back to TH

My altitude symptoms were greatly improved and I did consumer a preparation electrolyte drink at the start of every day beginning with this day in effort to improve my hydration and acclimation.  

My stats for this hike:  distance 6.53 miles, elevation gain 2,220 ft.

Maroon Bells 4 Pass Loop - Backpacking (4 days, 3 nights)

Day 1

Maroon Lake

Our first day backpacking was bright and early the following morning, Aug 4, 2021.  Our checkout from the Airbnb was necessary, then we parked one car at an overnight lot and proceeded to the TH with our overnight passes for the two remaining cars for the six of us gals.  We had to be in the parking lot by 8AM per parking restrictions - or be locked out of the lot.

Crater Lake

We were also expecting rain in the afternoon of day 1, making the early start important.  Our trail began with a wet (not dusty as a result), crowded, and literally rocky start.  

After arriving to Crater Lake, we needed to refer to the maps as the signage was not clear for what direction to head.  The maps were so clear, much easier to follow than the GPS on the in Reach (its map is too small to navigate).  I didn't yet reference on Gaia, therefore I cannot say how easy that would have helped with navigation, but with how user friendly it is, I expect that it would have been clear.

Camp 1

We hike along the lake, to begin our clockwise route around the 4 Pass Loop.  We ascended a total planned 1,791 vertical feet ascent and descended 340 ft. along a short 4.72 miles to find camp prior to the 2nd stream crossing, at 11,087 ft. elevation.  

We set up camp just as the rain was beginning to fall.  Lora brought an amazing tarp large enough for the six of us to cook under.

We retreated to our tents numerous times during the rain, exiting with reprieves from the rain, and making the necessary treacherous descent to the water for filtering.  We were treated to numerous mule deer visits to camp.  They are obviously used to the hikers along the trail.

Due to the rain, this was the coldest night I experienced.  I slept in my thermals, fleece hat, socks, and 5* down sleeping bag fully zipped up.  I did sleep well as a result.

Day 2

View from atop West Maroon Pass

We set our alarms early and woke to a dark sky to prepare to summit 2 mountain passes, ideally early in the day prior to any mountain created thunderstorms.  Our plan for the day included West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, a total distance of 8.04 miles and elevation gain of 2,347 ft. and loss of 2.998 ft.  

We were treated to sunny skies, clear air, and beautiful views!

Columbine atop Frigid Air Pass

We made camp at one of the last sites prior to the stream crossing and trail junction.  Camp was right on the water, camp was large and allowed for easier pitching of the four tents. 

Day 3

Rest location approaching Trailrider Pass

We again set our alarms in preparation for an early start, anticipating one of the reported hardest summits, at Trailrider Pass.  The pass wouldn't come clearly into site for some time, but the views along the way and from the summit were again fantastic.  

We enjoyed another sunny day.  We did go to

Trailrider pass 

Snowmass Lake where I took a midday swim, then we headed down the trail another mile to set up camp.  

Our site was not as easy to find with more confined space especially with trees that had fallen in the area, though we had good access to the stream as the crossing was only 0.1 miles up the trail.

The space also required more hiking for the morning hole digging due to the number of visitors to the area, resulting in how easy it was to dig another hiker's hole.  Unfortunately, some other hikers have not only buried their waste, but their paper as well.  Not a fun find.

Snowmass Lake

Day 4

View from Buckskin Pass

Our final day included one last pass, Buckskin Pass.  Our day would include 6.89 miles, 1,904 ascent, and 3,140 descent, to return to the trailhead and our cars.  We had a long drive ahead of us with a packed agenda to get to Colorado Springs that evening, so an early start was again useful.

We found a great lunch location a bit off trail allowing for us to reach the cars without dragging.  We got our post hike pics and hit the road.

Restroom on way back to the TH, nearly the end of the hike

Manitou Incline

Again, alarm clocks were required, so that we could make our reservation for the incline.  We had

View from the TOP!

View from the bottom

parking reservations for 8AM and hiking reservations for 830AM.  The check in crew for the incline allowed us to start hiking a little early, and we were on the trail by 8AM.

The incline climbs an impressive 2200 ft. in 0.88 miles, then descends via a 3 mile intersecting trail system (connector to Barr trail).  It was going to be a long hike, and five of us were there for the challenge, and going our own paces.  

I required 1 hour 54 min to summit!  After summitting, it seemed to take an eternity to walk the winding switchbacks down the hill, but there is no way going down the steep would be a good idea for the knees.  

Manitou Cog Railway - Pike's Peak

We had a reservation for 2PM for the train, so we had to rush after our morning incline hike to make this time.  Unfortunately, the smoke had taken over the valley, so this trip up Pike's Peak was underwhelming.  The train was steep, requiring for active muscle contractions for sitting support when on the uphill seats of the train.  I switched sides for the ride down and couldn't keep from bobbing off to sleep.  

We had some mechanical difficulties resulting in a delayed return to Colorado Springs.  We then found a fantastic dinner location, at Thunder and Buttons II!  Their menu was some of the best food I have every had, and they adapted to gluten free and dairy free for me ... Steak and shrimp was done perfectly.

The end...included some shopping, driving, overnight in Denver, then more driving

posing with mural in Colorado Springs - old Colorado City