Steps in the Right Direction: Lions Lake 1, Out of the Wild Basin Trailhead

Today we are up really early so we can travel by car 45 minutes down to Indian Peaks Wilderness at the Brainard Lake trailhead. Indian Peaks is the area of protected land just south of RMNP and has more hiking, it is somewhat less crowded, but a tad less trail maintained. As in even more rocky trails. As we were driving to the trailhead the dark heavy clouds were sock’ing in. Just as we got to the gate check in it started to sprinkle/rain. We got out of the car and went to talk with the person at the pay gate. These people are usually pretty helpful. This guy was as little help as one could possibly imagine. He didn't know if the rain was going to blow over or even if something that “looked” like the current situation usually blew over… He did know he had his toast in the toaster in the office and it had just popped up out of the toaster. It was quite clear he wanted to get back to the toast and not deal with two women inquiring about weather conditions. So judging from what we could not see due to the heavey clouds, how low the clouds are hanging, and the current precipitation falling from the clouds we decided to just grab a trail map and turn around to head back towards Rocky Mountain National Park. As we were driving back we're looking at the area map of RMNP and trying to decide on where to go to hike and not get rained on. We decided to just hike at the Wild Basin which was on our way back. We had on our hiking list a a hike out to Lions Lake. Lions Lake is a pretty big day trip at 7.1 miles to the lake one way.

The road back to the trailhead is a single-lane gravel road with an occasional little extra footage where one could pull to the side while another car could pass you. We are hoping that when leaving later today that we wouldn't have to try to pass anybody! We arrived at the trailhead and there were so maybe 7 other cars there and people were putting on their rain gear as it was sprinkling a little bit. it was kind of chilly so we took along a heavier Dri-Fit long sleeve as well. We put on our backpacks and hit the road hoping that we would have a dry day.

The trip to Lions Lake 1 is right along the river and you get this wonderful water display for the first part of the hike. First at Copeland Falls , 1.8 miles further up the road you get to see Calypso Cascades, and then at the 2.7 mile mark you get to see the Ouzel Falls. This trail is just a really wonderful waterfall trail. As a little side note, we had a chance to walk across the new Ouzel Falls bridge. I'll include a picture of it. The story as told by our friendly local Ranger volunteer is that in 2013 RMNP trail workers had just finished installing a brand new bridge. A real beauty made from all trees found near the sight. 4 Weeks later, the Rocky Mountain Park area had major rain storm with lots of flooding. That brand new 4 week old bridge was washed down the river (many other bridges in that area also washed away). The bridge had to be rebuilt. The new replacement bridge is a very good looking bridge made from all from trees found locally.

A bit further up the trail from the new bridge is a split in the trail, Thunder Lake and Lions lake. We are heading up to Lions Lake 1. Thunder Lake does not have much of an elevation gain after this point. (Special note: Thunder Lake would be a really great second day hike if you ever come to RMNP to do some hiking. ) Lions lake does have a lot of elevation gain after this point. The overall the trail gains +2859 feet most of which comes during the last 2.2 miles.

Arrived at Lions Lake to find a lake in a beautiful basin. Rising up on the backside of Lions lake is a waterfall. From where we are standing it is easy to see where Lions lake II and above that lake is lions lake III are located. If we had a little more time and a little more energy I think we possibly would have gone to Lions Lake II. Clearly, with the lake being 7.1 miles one way, it is difficult to think that adding further milage is a good idea. We took some pictures and sat down for some lunch. While eating lunch we noticed some deep dark clouds coming our way so we packed up and set off to get moving back down the trail. We had a long walk back. Within about 15 minutes the dark clouds had blown over and the partly sunny skies returned.

Today’s totals are 14.37 miles walked in 7 hours and 43 minutes. We stopped a lot to take pictures on the way out to Lions lake. On the way back we just looked and tried to keep moving, 7.1 is a long way back. Again this trail has lots of water to look at for half of the trip.

After the long hiking day we drove back to the cabin to find a little neighborly gathering happening. Our cabin is located in a small group of four cabins all owned by two business partners. Kim, one of the owners, was visiting with their “Artist in Residence” cabin dwellers, Lou. Lou lives in the cabin by us. He has a very old dog named Harley and a spry young cat named Jack. Jack is a cool cat, and has spent much of his time over by our cabin doing what cool cats do. Rolling around and looking like a loving cute and friendly cat! In talking, with Lou and Kim we find that Lou has done all sorts of work in the cabins making each cabin unique and special. I will include a few pieces that he made. Lou has in our cabin used beetle kill pine wood to put the silhouette of the front range above every door jam. Also the kitchen back splash and towel holders are pretty darn cool too. Great talent.