My new friend and fellow runner/hiker-in-training for the Imogene Pass Run, Sherralyn Daniels, and I hiked the Blue Lakes Trail this past Saturday as far as the lower Blue Lake. This is a popular trail and one I had not done before, but had heard much about. Actually, I'd seen the lakes from atop Mt. Sneffles when I'd hiked that a couple years ago. Our approach Saturday was from the trailhead from East Dallas Creek Rd. (CR 7) off Highway 62. It was a beatiful and challenging hike, 3.3 miles to the lower lake. The wild flowers were a highlight. Arriving at the lower lake was like being in a wonderland. The lake was actually turquoise, not just blue, situated in an amphitheater of steep mountain sides and a cascading waterfall-into-creek from above, fringed by pine trees and blooming fields of wildflowers to the edge of the water. We stopped for lunch at the lake shore, dipping our hot, trail-weary feet into the icey cold water--that didn't last long!
Because we were both under time constraints to get back, we opted not to proceed to the upper lakes, but we did have to discover where the trail continued, since it wasn't obvious. We found the trail continued by crossing a huge tree trunk across the creek, which we walked over, then the trail cut a narrow path through waist-high wild flowers and shrubs. It then went straight up, almost through a creek/waterfall bed, which we scrambled up, climbing now, not hiking. We made our way to a ridge that continued upwards around and over the lower lake, presenting evermore breathtaking views of the lake and amphitheater from a higher perspective. We stopped on a rock outcrop to take in the view and discuss how much more training we needed and the concern we had about successfully completing the Imogene Pass Run. From above, a single, elderly (well, let's say in her 60's) woman came trekking down, totally enthused about the flowers and what she'd seen. She encouraged us to go just another 10 minutes upwards to view a beautiful field of lupine flowers, which we did.
The return trip was just as beautiful, fun, and challenging, and seemed much longer than going up. We were fortunate to have clear, sunny weather in the shade most of the day, getting into a few sprinkles of rain just as we returned. Round trip was about 8 miles. It's amazing how much longer and harder a mile going up and down hill is than on the flat! I was sorry I didn't have a camera with me. But to get another hiker/photographer's account of this trail, with some gorgeous photos, click here. For more info on Ouray County trails, visit www.ouraytrails.org.
I was a bit tired and sore today, which made a good excuse to stay home and do housework and work on taxes--I'd rather have been out hiking again, but did enjoy a brief rainstorm from the safety and comfort of my home.
~Ninah
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