It’s been just under 10 years since our last hike up to Lost Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and we decided that it was close enough that we would violate our 10-year-no-repeat rule. There’s so much world to see, and so little time that we try not to do any repeats and see something different. This one gets a second vote.
The upside to this hike – amazing views, a rushing creek, and a nice lake at the end.
The downsides? One of the most popular hikes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and the road gets a little crappy on the way to the Hessie Trailhead.
But – the downsides do not outweigh the upsides, and there’s a reason that two USFS rangers we stopped and talked to told us that there were 1,070 riders on the Hessie Trailhead shuttle from the Nederland High School lot the previous saturday. SMH. Good thing we did it on a Thursday morning, and we were lucky to get a parking spot from someone who had just pulled out.
One of the best things about revisiting a previous hike isn’t the hike itself. It’s the reflection on the previous post – with 10 years more experience, has my eye for the photo changed? Have I learned to stop and look at nature instead of just crossing something off the list? What were my/our words 10 years ago – do they still ring true or do we see things differently today? It’s very interesting to have a snapshot in time of our past selves and wonder what we’ll look back on in another 10 years and try to improve.
Here There Be Moose
This sure looks like moose country to me.
Mmmm Root Beer
The tannins and sediment in this pond create a root beer reflection.
A River Runs Through
The Middle Boulder Creek parallels the trail for quite a ways, providing a beautiful auditory backdrop.
Over the Bridge
And through the woods…
MinneRado
This shot looks much more like Northern Minnesota than high in the Rocky Mountains.
Storm Coming In
Taking a break and watching a storm moving in over the Indian Peaks.
Reflection
Watching and listening to the water flow down the cascades in the Middle Boulder Creek.
Lost Lake Google Earth
Google Earth visual of the Lost Lake Trail.
