Columbine Lake Hike, Silverton, Colorado

Oh the places you'll go! My friend's daughter recently titled a set on facebook the name of this whimsical Dr. Suess Book. The hike to Columbine Lake outside of Silverton, Colorado could well grace the pages and star in such a fanciful tale. Because sometimes fantasy is walking the hidden paths of reality, and sometimes make believe is there to tell the truth.

 Trail Apex

The 3.5 mile hike (7 mi. roundtrip) to this liquid bowl of turquoise is a doozy. That's an old man's expression but after climbing about 2.3 miles straight up the mountain you are bending over, grabbing your back and panting just such things, and perhaps a few added expletives. Ahhh but the corner turns and your last mile is that Dr. Seuss book that color's children's dreams.

 Upper Meadow

Columbine Lake and Pass begin on an unmarked trail off of Ophir Pass about 5 miles north of

Silverton. After turning left you will cross a bridge, and soon head right up the steep forest road 820. You need an all wheel drive for this and the trail is less than a mile up on the left. There are only 2 parking spots possible near the start of the trail. We got one. The trail immediately starts up switchbacks through the forest and is not marked. Notice my directions are not detailed. Sorry. Not really. The next best thing about this hike besides itself, is that you can be by yourself.

 Enter the fairy forest 

Soooo, I braced myself to tackle this short but strenuous climb and I'm glad. It was really tough. The first 1.3 miles are directly up the mountain on switchbacks. Did I say directly? Scouts honor. But if you know it you just hike it out. After all, it's just the beginning. At about 1 mile the wolf like forest turns a bit fairy like and you can take a breather as you wind up to the meadow at the second leg of the journey. 

 Hitting the Bowl

Now, the mountain bowl you are going to get scooped into is truly a stone rimmed green dream. The blue sky against the kelly summer green is surreal on a summer day; it's toppings of whipped cream clouds and candy flowers compliment your sundae. But appearances are sometimes deceiving and this is no cake walk. The next mile is beginning at treeline and after the thigh-burn through the woods this 2^nd mile through the steeply curving bowl is one of the toughest I've ever climbed. After the first quarter mile I am having trouble going more than 6 or 7 steps without a breather. But this gives time to check all the angles of beauty.

 It looks so easy. Not!

Path goes between left peak and middle spiney ridge

Bowl of corn flowers

Behind you are Ohio Peak, Storm Peak, and the Anvil mountains; slowly expanding to your ascent, and for me, still covered in a bit of morning mist. I think I can, I think I can I say to myself as I push on. So many pictures and so much climb.

  Looking back

 

You do not go to the top of the bowl. About ¾ of the way up the path takes a jog to the left and a twist to the right and you are out of due diligence and into the flowers. Most of the bowl is corn plant and some DYF's (damn yellow flowers) but when you reach the last switchbacks the gardens bloom.

 Paintbrush, Bistort, and DYF's

Trudging towards the turn

Sulpher Paintbrush

After angling along the scree for a short bit you will hug a cliff to your left before turning sharply into yet another fairy tale and the last 3^rd of the hike. No more crying; the climb is over and the plot expands.

 Hugging the cliff

Turning the Corner

Plot of land and plot of storybook hike that is. It's like journey to the top of the world up here. You can tiptoe through the paintbrush and elephant head flowers while viewing gorgeous craggy and interesting peaks ahead and watching Red Mountain Pass fall into the distance to the north east. If you look sharp you can see the tiny million dollar highway 550 winding far below.

 Down Valley

 Surreal Beauty

Clouds are a' brewing already for us at 10 am but I assume the storms will hold off because I've got a jewel to discover. The relief at having finished the climb and the glory of this landscape almost have me skipping. My camera weighs 5 lbs though. I'm getting my knee bends in as there are lots of high high mountain flowers up here. Every quarter mile the terrain brings a new mix. It doesn't matter how heavy the camera is, it can't capture the magic. You just have to take it inside.

 Crazy Quilt

Round About

Stark yet filled with life

It's an almost level stroll across this panoramic wild west show filled with small pools and boulder sculptures. There is a bit of an Irish countryside feel to the immediate terrain. After about ¾ of a mile you will swoop down into the drainage of Mill creek. More flowers and slate rock displays amaze.

 Random Pond

Wander

Mill Creek

Follow the path the the left of the creek back out of the dip and you have your last climb to the lake. Your legs are screaming but the creek is devastatingly beautiful. Of course the water births intense flowers and this is truly the clearest and prettiest stream I've ever seen. We are late July and there are waterfalls and a good clean flow. The creek bed seems to be solid light gray slate and gives the water an almost silver cast.

 Let the sun shine

Perfect Creek Fall

Last Leg

The scree to the left takes you winding up up the color and coolness until you see an old stone dam and the outlet on the west end of the lake.

 Natures Landscape Job

One Final Push

And lo an angel of the Lord appeared to me and..........oooops sorry, I was remembering how it felt to see this blue blue heaven. Columbine lake is big! And a milky turquoise blue that changes hue with the suns path to a sometimes almost denim hue. It rests in a rocky private glacial bowl and 360 views are a must.

 A small slice of Heaven

Can't get the whole lake in!

You are on Venus. You are in Oz, you are a bit out of your mind with altitude and amazement. Sit down, have lunch. Freak out in a moonage daydream. Watch the clouds throw shadows over the craggy peaks and trippy water. If you face East, it looks like Hawaii. Lets have a moment of silence shall we?

 Contrasting Shadows

 East End

Moi

We only saw 3 other people this whole day and one was a guy with pack horses way way up on the pass, where you can go, should you choose to press on. I'd be hard pressed to do that. My partner wants to head back too soon but I'm not up for a lightning storm either. The wind was wicked when I turned that last corner onto the upper meadow. I want to linger at the creek for photos and could kick myself for not taking more time.

 Glorious Vision

Can't Get Enough

Bistort, Elephant Head, and Paintbrush

In the Mill Creek dip we meet a mama grouse and her 4 little babies hopping around the flowers. They let me take their portraits. I mean really, can things get any more enjoyable. I'm not going to think about my knees. I strap on my newly acquired braces and climb down without a hitch. The light has moved behind us again and there are more shots for the ever attentive photo bug.

 Wild Irish Feeling

 Baby Grouse

Light Tricks

The Last Goodbye

I like the meadow better going down. It's still as green as a lime popsicle, and now the clouds are billowing and creating some nice contrast. Flies are out in the woods. Right before we enter the forest Steve steps off the path for a bit and finds a rusty old miners pan!!! Are you kidding me! I carry it down and play rockhound and fill it with some awesome green and rusty stones and an old bone I find. Souvenirs!

 Afternoon Rumbles

 Leaving Mars

 Happy Ending

 Facing the Journey

Along the passes we fly to the 70's station, to our hotel in beautiful Ouray, the Switzerland of Colorado. I make a little video to “Sooner or Later, Love is gonna get ya”. Yes oh yes, I love my world.

  Columbine Lake, Colorado