Twin Peaks Mountain - Ouray, CO - 9/7/14

On Sunday, September 7th, Leesa and I were still camping in Ouray at the Amphitheater Campground.  We loved it there.  It's a great spot, high on the hill above the town.  Private, yet convenient to town.  A perfect combination.

We had spent the previous 2 days "lake bagging" high alpine lakes.  On this day, we decided to climb a nearby mountain, "Twin Peaks".  An afternoon shower was forecast.  We hoped to be up and down the 6 mile hike before the rain arrived.

The morning weather showed no sign of rain, and we started out.  There is an "old" trail and a new trail to the summit.  Access to the new trail is via South Pinecrest Drive for which a high clearance vehicle is needed for the last portion.  We walked on the road until we reached the new trail (Oak Creek Trail 207).

Start of the new trail off of S. Pinecrest Drive

The new trail climbs at a moderate grade before reaching a trail split.  We went right at the split to begin the Twin Peaks Trail.  At this point the trail make its way to a location where it crosses Oak Creek.  Once across the creek, the trail heads N-NE to begin a traverse up the ridge to the base of the steep cliffs that stand below Sister Peak.  At 0.9 miles on the Twin Peaks trail we reached the junction with the old trail.  Silvershield Trail 199 also connects at this location.  Continuing on the Twin Peaks trail, we passed through several pretty aspen fields.

We crossed paths with a woman who just the day before had done the the 17 mile Imogene Run from Ouray to Telluride.  She had completed the race in less than 4 hours!  We couldn't believe she was out doing this hike the next day.  She told us she was training for a marathon.

Aspen Field

As we neared the base of the cliffs below Sister Peak, we passed the sealed up Speedwell Mine.  I'm always amazed when I see mines in hard to get to places and wonder what it was like opening a mine in these areas over 125 years ago.  

Sealed entrance to Speedwell Mine

Marker at the sealed mine

Perhaps the remains of  an old mine building higher on the mountain

As we reached Sister Peak, we were greeted with a great view of Ouray down below to the east.  To the west, we were greeted by a storm coming in.  We only had 10 minutes of hiking left to reach Twin Peaks and decided to go for it.  I went on ahead of Leesa.  She wasn't sure she was going to reach the top.  

Sister Peak and Ouray down below

Looking up to Twin Peaks from Sister Peak

Ouray!

Sprinkles of rain came down as I approached the final scramble to the summit rock outcrop.  This was followed by a loud clap of thunder.  I reached the top and scanned the sky to the west.  The storm was now on top of us.  Leesa reached the top also and just as she did, the rain let loose.  It was mixed with hail. 

The view to the west

Twin Peaks!

We quickly high-tailed it off the summit and put our rain coats on.  In the short 10 minutes it took to get back to Sister Peak, we got soaked.  The rain came and went quickly.  The thunder continued and as the storm passed over Ouray and on to the mountains to the east, the sound of the thunder echoed back to us.  Very cool.   

Rain already moving past us to the east 

Leesa, still wet, heading down 

More aspens along the way

When we reached the convergence of the new trail and the old trail, we chose the old trail in order to have a different experience on the way down.  Although there was a warning sign indicating the trail was steep and difficult, we found it to be relatively easy.  It was steep, but there were many switchbacks, and it really didn't seem difficult at all. 

 

Starting down the old trail

We also found the old trail to be more interesting.  There is also a spectacular view of Ouray from down near the bottom of the trail.

As we neared the bottom, blue skis returned.  We reached the bottom, still wet, but we dried off quickly in the sun.

Down low on the old trail 

Ouray from the old trail 

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  5.7 miles

Hike Time:  5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 3400'

Blue Lakes - Ouray, CO - 9/5/14

This hike was one of the hikes I had planned for Leesa and I to do while on vacation in the southwest. It was a hike that I had read about with great interest.  It offers beautiful blue lakes and high alpine scenery.

We arrived in the beautiful town of Ouray, Colorado on 9/4 and camped at the Amphitheater Campground that lies high on the hill just south of town.  The town lies at approximately 7800' and is surrounded by 13,000' mountains.

To access the Blue Lakes trailhead from Ouray, we drove north to Ridgway, took CR62 to Dallas Creek Road, then followed this gravel road south to the trailhead.

For us, the 3.3 mile hike to Lower Blue Lake was a short hike.  The only question was whether altitude would be a factor.  The trailhead lies at roughly 9300', with Lower Blue Lake up at 11,000'.   We had arrived in Denver less than 48 hours earlier, so we hadn't had much time to acclimatize.

One thing that we noticed, and have noticed before, is that trails in Colorado and other areas out west generally provide much better footing than trails in the east.  Western trails also have many more switchbacks.  Perhaps the easier trail terrain would counter balance the altitude.

We took it slow and easy to test our eastern lungs, and found that, while noticeable, the thinner air provided no barrier for us climbing at this altitude.          

Our starting point

Blue Lakes Pass was my goal for the day

The first 1.4 miles of the trail was moderately steep before a noticeable change and the grade flattened substantially.  Soon we began to have glimpses of the surrounding mountains.  Just prior to reaching Lower Blue Lake, we reached the junction with the trail to Upper Blue Lake and Blue Lake Pass.  We continued straight to first take a look at Lower Blue Lake.  We passed many fine campsite locations as we approached the lake.  Campfires are no longer allowed in this vicinity.

Stepping out beyond the campsites, we were rewarded with views of Lower Blue Lake and it's amazing clear medium blue colored water.  We never see water of this color in the east.  At the lake, we talked with 2 men from Cologne, Germany who were on Holiday.   We stayed at the lake to have snacks and admire the lake before deciding to continue to climb to Upper Blue Lake. 

Look at the clear water at Lower Blue Lake!

As we continued to climb, we looked down on Lower Blue Lake from above and it looked even more beautiful. We reached tree-line about halfway to Upper Blue Lake and we were now afforded with 360 degree views.   

Looking  down on Lower Blue Lake 

Leesa above treeline, on her way to Upper Blue Lake

Middle Blue Lake

After 4.5 miles and 3 hours of hiking, we reached the beautiful Upper Blue Lake.  While not quite the bright blue of the lower lake, it was beautiful in it's own right.  Leesa elected to stay at the lake and wander about while sending me onward and upward towards Blue Lake Pass. 

Upper Blue Lake

I had an additional 1300' of climbing to do to reach the pass. The first 700' was climbing along switchbacks in grass and rock.  Soon the grass gave way to loose scree.  After about 45 minutes of climbing, I was about 300-400' shy of the pass.  The trail, while continuing to switchback, was becoming more treacherous and careful foot placement was required.  The slope was steep and a misplaced foot could cause a slide.

At the same time, afternoon clouds were coming in from the west.  While I wanted to reach the pass between Blue Lakes and Yankee Boy Basin, I didn't want to get caught in a famed Colorado afternoon thunderstorm.  Rain would make the descent extremely tricky, and besides, I had Leesa waiting for me down below at the Upper Lake.  With some sadness, I turned back to head down.  

   

Climbing the scree towards Blue Lakes Pass

An impressive cirque of mountains surrounding Upper Blue Lake

Looking down on Upper and Middle Blue Lake

Grass on the lower slope to Blue Lakes Pass 

Wouldn't you know it, as I headed back down to the lake, the clouds went past and the sun returned. No matter, it was great to be out in such a great spot.  I returned to the lake as curious marmots came out to see what I was doing. 

At the lake, Leesa and I had lunch, then it was time to head back.  I couldn't help but snap a bunch more pictures (as you can see below) as we retreated back past the lakes.  Eventually we made our way back to the car.  It was only 3 PM.  We should have stayed at the lakes a while longer.  Instead, we returned to Ouray and took pleasure in enjoying the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.  There isn't be a better way to relax after hiking!

A marmot friend at Middle Blue Lake

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:   10.4 miles
Hike Time:  7 hours (including stops)
Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 3400'

The route (click image to enlarge)