i highly recommend visiting this area if you haven't already...despite what people say about it being crowded, we went sat-tues and saw far fewer people than we were expecting to see
thanks a bunch! i have to admit: i really wanted to tag the summit in the morning before we left, but my topo map and midwesterner lungs/legs told me different!
drjohnso1182 - Feb 24, 2010 12:06 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice TR
After three high passes with a heavy pack, I bet you would have floated to the top of Snowmass, but then having to shoulder that pack and hike over one more pass would have been some kind of brutal...tough call.
the deciding factor was the fact that we had to drive back over independence pass yet that afternoon and get to leadville. so much to do; so little time to do it!
My brother and I did this loop, the same we you did it, a few years back. Beautiful scenery, probably the best I have ever been in. And I remember climbing Trail Rider and how long of a slog that was. Glad you enjoyed it!
yeah, we have been saying that maybe we should have saved that trip after all because it's going to be tough to beat the scenery!
i am sure there are plenty of little secrets waiting to be discovered all over the place :D
it was worth the trip indeed! i had heard it was "crowded" before we went, but we saw far fewer people than we expected, and the scenery was eye-poppingly gorgeous the whole time we were there.
go: you won't regret it!
I am looking into making this trek Mid March, do you have any idea what condition the trails would be in? Also, although I have a military background and don't mind long hikes, what recommendations or preparations would you recommend as this is my first official hiking/camping trip. Thanks for any help and insight you might be able to give!
i have not been here (or anywhere in colorado) in mid-march, but i can only guess that there will be a LOT of snow on all of the trails, and that the passes will be completely (and dangerously) blocked by snow. i cannot say that i would endorse it, but i am not any type of expert on winter travel in the mountains and i would say that you should start a thread on the forums to see what people with more experience might have to say.
Fantastic photos. I'm planning on this hike the week of labor day 2011. Everyone that I know that has done this hike, has done it in the direction that you did and so will I. I hope that some of my photos will be as wonderful as yours.
Bombchaser - Feb 23, 2010 3:30 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice..Great pics...
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 23, 2010 3:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice..thanks! i appreciate the compliment :)
i highly recommend visiting this area if you haven't already...despite what people say about it being crowded, we went sat-tues and saw far fewer people than we were expecting to see
drjohnso1182 - Feb 23, 2010 7:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice TR...and awesome pictures. Were you tempted to run up Snowmass? It looks so close from the lake... ;)
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 23, 2010 10:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice TRthanks a bunch! i have to admit: i really wanted to tag the summit in the morning before we left, but my topo map and midwesterner lungs/legs told me different!
drjohnso1182 - Feb 24, 2010 12:06 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice TRAfter three high passes with a heavy pack, I bet you would have floated to the top of Snowmass, but then having to shoulder that pack and hike over one more pass would have been some kind of brutal...tough call.
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 24, 2010 10:11 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice TRhaha, yeah that's how my thought process went :)
the deciding factor was the fact that we had to drive back over independence pass yet that afternoon and get to leadville. so much to do; so little time to do it!
MarkDidier - Feb 23, 2010 8:56 pm - Voted 10/10
Awesome Photo TR!Dan,
Just so many incedible pics in here...a great photo TR. Nice job and thanks for posting. Happy Trails, Mark
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 23, 2010 10:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Awesome Photo TR!thanks mark!
tioga - Feb 24, 2010 7:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Great Stuff!My brother and I did this loop, the same we you did it, a few years back. Beautiful scenery, probably the best I have ever been in. And I remember climbing Trail Rider and how long of a slog that was. Glad you enjoyed it!
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 24, 2010 7:22 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Stuff!yeah, we have been saying that maybe we should have saved that trip after all because it's going to be tough to beat the scenery!
i am sure there are plenty of little secrets waiting to be discovered all over the place :D
tioga - Feb 24, 2010 7:55 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Great Stuff!It looks like Michigan has some beauty to be discovered!
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 24, 2010 10:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Stuff!yes indeed...you just have to know where to look :)
stinkycheezman33 - Jun 24, 2010 8:14 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice pics.it was worth the trip indeed! i had heard it was "crowded" before we went, but we saw far fewer people than we expected, and the scenery was eye-poppingly gorgeous the whole time we were there.
go: you won't regret it!
skjmckee - Feb 5, 2011 4:03 pm - Hasn't voted
InsightI am looking into making this trek Mid March, do you have any idea what condition the trails would be in? Also, although I have a military background and don't mind long hikes, what recommendations or preparations would you recommend as this is my first official hiking/camping trip. Thanks for any help and insight you might be able to give!
stinkycheezman33 - Feb 6, 2011 9:13 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Insighti have not been here (or anywhere in colorado) in mid-march, but i can only guess that there will be a LOT of snow on all of the trails, and that the passes will be completely (and dangerously) blocked by snow. i cannot say that i would endorse it, but i am not any type of expert on winter travel in the mountains and i would say that you should start a thread on the forums to see what people with more experience might have to say.
that's my two cents...good luck!
thatgalfromtexas - Aug 14, 2011 7:09 pm - Voted 9/10
beautifulFantastic photos. I'm planning on this hike the week of labor day 2011. Everyone that I know that has done this hike, has done it in the direction that you did and so will I. I hope that some of my photos will be as wonderful as yours.
stinkycheezman33 - Aug 27, 2011 11:46 am - Hasn't voted
Re: beautifulthank you for the comments. sorry for the late reply, peace corps doesn't really allow for much internet access!