Hike to Square Top Lakes

We hiked to Square Top lakes in the Guanella pass area. It was about a 6 mile RT and took us up to 12,200. Overall, it seems to be getting a bit easier. At least we can breathe!

Take a look at Guanella Pass on Google Earth. If you look close enough you can see the entire trail as it meanders from the parking lot to the lakes.

Once again, the entire trail was above tree line and passed by tons of flowers. Rather than post a ton of the same flowers that have been posted in the past, I selected only one "new" plant to post: Gentian.

Heading up to those big bumps right of center. This is very near the start of the trail, so you can see how open it is.


Purple Gentian  - ready to bloom


Blooming





About 1/2 way




another creek -- another garden of flowers


Getting pretty cold and windy -- mountain conditions at over 12,000'



Heading towards upper Square Top Lake


More Gentians -- this time pale with purple tips - just before blooming


Same but in bloom -- reminds me of a nest of baby robins with mouths open.



Had to sneak this one in --- Primrose



At our Destination


Looking back

Kevin taking photos

Happy girl at just over 12,200


Kevin on the way down ... almost at the end ...


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting hosed on July 4th

Image
We spent July 4th in Breckenridge at the parade and stayed for all the other events. We thought one event was going to be a water balloon "fight" among the kids, well we got that wrong! We certainly didn't know what was coming, so, when kids started to scream when the Fire Department tower truck started to come up the street, we joined the crowd. Kids started to collect and then the tower ladder started to extend -- more excitement. We were thinking, "What is going on?" or "What is going to happen?" Then they turned the water on!! from underneath the tower bucket. Then the craziness started.... and ultimately Alicia joined in. First: The fire truck arrives The kids start to assemble The crowd grows The tower starts to extend -- and the kids start to scream Some kids start to collect under the tower bucket -- while we ask, "what are they doing?" These kids know something. They turn the water on ..... a
Read more

21" of Snow, 25F, overcast and still snowing: What to do?

Image
Well, the ski area is closed, so that rules out that idea. Let's head for some sun. That means heading down in altitude, and someplace. The place that we chose was Colorado National Monument, just outside of Grand Junction, a 3-hour drive, and a comfortable 65F. We had never been there before, so it was to be something new. It was something new, as well as being something old. It looked familiar. The Colorado National Monument lies within the Colorado Plateau (  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Plateau   ) which is a geologic formation that spans over 4 states: CO, AZ, UT, and NM. The rock strata of the CNM is the same as that of many other parks: Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, and many more.  So, when we were looking at its features, we saw a lot that looked like other places that we have been to. So, it was new and it was "old" at the same time. The dominant strata of the CNM were Wingate, Kayenta and Estrada and on the Wingate was a lot of "desert vanish&
Read more

Back in Maine

So, we actually did depart Breckenridge and headed east ... with a small tear in the eye. We are now in our new place overlooking the golf course -- no chance of being washed away! We really enjoyed Breck and our visitors. We liked the hiking above 12,000 feet, fishing all over the place, going to Breck events, feeling the vibe of the local scene, and more I have to find the best photo that sums up the trip -- that will be the last post and the sign-off!
Read more