Off to Indian Peaks today to give a go at Pawnee Pass. This little pass has given us the shake off twice now. Once already this year and once five years ago. We are up early at 4:30 today to have an early start. When we arrived at the Brainerd Lakes check in station ready to forfeit our $10 entrance fee, the lady Ranger told us to not go up to Pawnee pass. She said if did try be prepared to blow off the pass and end up in Kansas today. I did not bring my red shoes, Dorothy, or Toto along today. It was too windy today to try that pass. We had not considered the wind, only the monsoon rains and low hanging morning rain clouds. The Ranger recommended Blue Lake as an alternative hike due to the fact we have already hiked out to the beautiful Lake Isabelle. We drove to the mitchell lakes trailhead and set out on the very short trail to Blue Lake. We found the trail to be rocky but well worth the effort it took to get there.
When we arrived at the lake, we had the lake to ourselves for about ten minutes. During this time we took a bunch of pictures and dug out buffs, long sleeves and rain gear. At was indeed very windy and chilly. Judging from the strength of the wind I would gage it to be a steady wind of 20 miles and hour with occasional higher gusts. Good thing the lady at the gate suggested an alternative hike today. Pawnee Pass give us another shake off.
While admiring the lake a volunteer Ranger arrived with a side kick friend. We stood and talked with the volunteer ranger and his friend for about a half hour. We are trying to learn about the different trails in the Indian Peaks area. Kathi reviewed the possible trails with the Ranger.The two of them have have the Indian Peaks topo map out, trying to duck down behind a boulder so they are out of the wind while engaged engaged in a good conversation. I am talking with his side kick who is a hiking history buff. We are talking about the Tour Mont Blanc. He would like to do the hike but also wanted to tour the historic european places of WWI and WWII. He thought it might turn out to be longer than a summer vacation.
Since the hike to Blue lake is so short we are planning on adding additional milage from one of the other possible trails available at the trailhead we are currently parked at. The parking at Brainerd Lakes is very limited. If you are late… You end up walking a really long way just to get to the trailhead.
Today is Wednesday and in Colorado that means it is hiking club day. We met many different hiking clubs headed up to Blue lake. Stopped to chat with two happy go lucky ladies. They have been hiking together for 24 years. They were so happy to be out hiking! One just had both of her hips replaced in the past year and was hiking pain free for the first time in a long time. The second lady had just recovered from a broken fibula. Her story was, as she was out rollerblading and bike rider hit her. She had a rod inserted in her fibula. Ouch! Both were in their 70s and doing a great job!
We pass a young pair of female hikers hiking out to Blue Lake wearing shorts and sport bras. I thought they might be in for a chilly arrival at the lake. This takes my mind back to Canada when we were on the Goat lake trail (Please See Goat Lake Trail from 2013) and met three very unlikely hiking friends. This whole memory keeps me laughing for a good while. Hiking is good for the heart and soul in so many ways!
Got to the bottom and had to redo my moleskine wrap on my pinkee toe as it was in need of help. I did this from the luxury of the back of the Cherokee car. This sure beats sitting trailside trying to fix it up. Next we set off to hike up the trail to Mt. Audubon. We have decided to hike to the 1.7 mile divide in the trail. Well, this was pretty much 1.7 miles of up through a very rocky talus trail. Once we reached the divide in the trail we found a nice spot for lunch, so we could sit and look at the south side of Longs Peak. After lunch it was down the trail and off of the trails early for the first time this trip.
9 miles today.
We headed to town for some window shopping and then home early.
No Pawnee Pass- a three time loser, lots of wind, lots of sun, No rain :)
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| Mitchell Lake |
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| Simple sun rise river crossing |
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| We saw so few flowers that when I see them, I am compelled to take pictures. |
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| Pond between Blue and Mitchell, looks pretty cool in the morning sun. |
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| The snow that is showing it's melted edge is about 6 feet deep. We watched a father take his two kids up there and stand next to the snow. |
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| Good morning walk. |
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| Blue Lake of Indian Peaks |
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| It is very windy here1 |
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| Lunch spot has Longs Peak in it. |
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| Great lunch spot. Half way to Mt. Autubon |
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| Pano Blue Lake |
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| Windy and Chilly at the Lake |
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| Lunch time, still windy, but we are protected by wind with the mountain to our back side. |
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