Go West XII - A Hike to Blue Lake

Lupines, near Lower Blue Lake Trailhead, Colorado  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Today's post chronicles our hike to Lower Blue Lake, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, San Juan Mountains... about 1 hour drive from Ouray, Colorado.
 These breathtaking lupines bloom vigorously on a hillside near the trailhead. 
Our beginning elevation is just over 9300 feet.

(To see a slide show, click on any image.)

Quaking Aspens, Lower Blue Lake Trail, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Early sections of the trail pass through young aspen groves
 with their fresh green leaves on display. Our brains know these leaves are producing oxygen, but it's not quite enough for our lungs which are accustomed to the sea level elevation of the Lowcountry.

Mt. Sneffels, from the Lower Blue Lake Trail, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


As we progress in elevation into the subalpine forests, we glimpse rugged mountain peaks which form the backbone of the wilderness area.

Meltwaters, near the Lower Blue Lake Trail, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Melt water from high elevation snow fields and the Blue Lakes rushes down the mountain, joining other runoff to the East Fork Dallas Creek. From there the waters join the Uncompahgre, the Gunnison, the Colorado, the Gulf of California and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. These waters have a long journey ahead!

Becky on the Trail to Lower Blue Lake, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Becky continues up the trail toward the high peaks that tower above Blue Lake.
I linger behind, on the watch for yaks and yetis. Ok, not really. I lag behind looking for pictures to tell our story. But alas, I must not dally, or she will leave me in the dust... or snow.

Snow Fields, Lower Blue Lake Trail, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


The higher we hike, the more snow fields we trudge over. The snow is well packed, but a challenge to traverse... 
several times our legs sink knee-deep and our boots fill with icy cold. 

Subalpine Meadow, Lower Blue Lake Trail, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


We near the tree line. At this point we pause to wonder how much further we have to go... more switchbacks and more snow fields await us on the trail. Hikers returning from the lake reassure us that we are getting close. We eat Clif Bars for energy and continue on.

Snow Draped Peaks, Lower Blue Lake Trail, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok All Rights Reserved


The peaks above us are magnificent! There are fewer trees now and more wild terrain. How can mountain goats and bighorn sheep possibly survive among rocks such as these?  

Slopes above Lower Blue Lake, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Above the lake basin, a steep talus slope of reddish rock makes a striking contrast to the dark formations of the tallest peaks.

Lower Blue Lake, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Finally we reach our destination! As breezes shift, the surface of the water changes texture and color. But when calm, a beautiful glacial blue color reveals itself. Ice floating on the lake makes a mockery of the warm summer sun. We watch a little gray bird called an American Dipper (or Water Ouzel) splashing in the lake in spite of the frigid cold. Our ending elevation is around 10,800 feet. After a picnic and some picture taking, we head back down the trail.

This spectacular hike took us 7 grueling hours to complete. By the time we returned to our car we were thoroughly exhausted, but knew that after a nap and pizza we would feel that it was well worth the effort.

And... it was on the drive back to the hotel that we sighted shaggy black yaks in a field, grazing.