Remember last August, when Helen and I hiked to Lower Crystal Lake and tried unsuccessfully to find the Upper Lake? This week I did a solo hike to Crystal. My goal was to find the trail that climbs to the second lake.
The sun was just filtering through the pines as I started from my house.
After steady climbing, I left the evergreen forest for more open vistas.
A profusion of wildflowers filled the alpine meadows just above 11,000'.
Monkshood grew among the willow bushes.
In wet areas, I began seeing Gentians.
Lower Crystal Lake is in an idyllic setting.
But, I knew I had to keep moving to reach the upper lake.
I climbed the switchbacks toward the saddle between Crystal Peak (13, 852') and Peak 10 (13,633').
When the trail became scree, wildflowers still grew among the rocks.
I admired their tenacity as I carefully continued upward.
Finally, I was rewarded by a spot of turquoise. Can you see it there in the distance?
Upper Crystal Lake is a well-hidden treasure.
Remains of a defunct mine are strewn over the hillside.
Continuing to the far side of the lake, I looked back and admired the perfect stillness and isolation of the scene.
The high tundra was still green from snowmelt. Soon new snow will fall onto the old.
Arctic Gentians, harbingers of winter, grew in profusion.
Leaves of succulents were bright red from colder temperatures.
I wanted to explore some more, but suddenly I became aware of storm clouds.
Storms above tree-line are very dangerous.
I started down immediately.
I stopped briefly at the Miner's Cabin (dating from the 1800's) when I reached Lower Crystal.
Peeking through the crumbling logs, I could see the gathering clouds.
Feeling tired but happy, I continued walking downward toward home.
I hiked the last 2 miles in a light rain listening to distant thunder.
The hike was 8.5 miles and took me about 7 1/2 hours.
I gained and then lost 3,000' in elevation.
Visions of a secret lake continue to put a smile on my face.
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| Blue Mountain Gentian |
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| Twisted Gentian |
Lower Crystal Lake is in an idyllic setting.
But, I knew I had to keep moving to reach the upper lake.
I climbed the switchbacks toward the saddle between Crystal Peak (13, 852') and Peak 10 (13,633').
When the trail became scree, wildflowers still grew among the rocks.
I admired their tenacity as I carefully continued upward.
Finally, I was rewarded by a spot of turquoise. Can you see it there in the distance?
Upper Crystal Lake is a well-hidden treasure.
Remains of a defunct mine are strewn over the hillside.
Continuing to the far side of the lake, I looked back and admired the perfect stillness and isolation of the scene.
The high tundra was still green from snowmelt. Soon new snow will fall onto the old.
Arctic Gentians, harbingers of winter, grew in profusion.
Leaves of succulents were bright red from colder temperatures.
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| Dusky Penstemon |
I wanted to explore some more, but suddenly I became aware of storm clouds.
Storms above tree-line are very dangerous.
I started down immediately.
I stopped briefly at the Miner's Cabin (dating from the 1800's) when I reached Lower Crystal.
Peeking through the crumbling logs, I could see the gathering clouds.
I hiked the last 2 miles in a light rain listening to distant thunder.
The hike was 8.5 miles and took me about 7 1/2 hours.
I gained and then lost 3,000' in elevation.
Visions of a secret lake continue to put a smile on my face.
Barb, How very beautiful. I would love to walk with you for just a day. These took my breath away.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place and full of peace.
Love this blog post
beautiful barb! thanks once again for sharing colorado.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a hike and what a treasure you found on the way to the secret lake. Just please be careful out there by yourself.
ReplyDeleteBarb, you have just as much tenacity as those wildflowers growing between the rocks, I knew that already though. I imagine the threat of bad weather, while that far from home, would be a real concern. Your post this quiet morning, conveyed the feeling of stillness and solitude on your hike to the well-hidden lake, felt as if I were there too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteI'm a guessing that the the timbers used for the cabin had to be hauled a good distance up there.
What amazes me in my hikes (long ago!) in the mountains of Utah was that mining ruins seemed to be everywhere.
OMG! And here I thought I had done something hiking .7 up and back to the top of Craggy Garden in the Blue Ridge. Barb, alone no less. I hope you have bear spray. These images are absolutely stunning, beautiful, gorgeous, and you my gal . . . ROCK! Carol
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your strength and ability to hike 7 1/2 hours at that elevation! What a beautiful hike. So many lovely photos. Thank you, Barb, for bringing us along.
ReplyDeleteVery nice flowers, super hike.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Such stunning photographs. I, too admire your strength and endurance, especially at those altitudes. Thanks for the adventure.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos and a wonderful hike!!
ReplyDeletefabulous shots and it sounds like it was quite a work out.
ReplyDeleteMission accomplished!
Just reading puts a smile on my face. A secret Lake and a great hike and beautiful pictures. I was thinking about afternoon storms as I read -- I know from Lisa that's something you have to watch for in beautiful CO. Thanks for sharing with us "lowlanders" who'd probably never make it up there without you ;>)
ReplyDeleteLovely blog Barb, incl the books and quotes - just resonates with me. Will be back
ReplyDeleteLG
What a wonderful walk. . . wish I had been there with you! Neat lake! Beautiful flowers! Great place to walk!
ReplyDeleteUpper Crystal Lake looks idyllic. I'd love to visit it like you did, seeing no one else and exploring its shores.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that it's gentian season already. I saw a lot of Arctic Gentians on my recent hike but I wanted to pretend that they weren't there yet :) Summer is all too short.
Your photos are superb. I felt like I came along with you on the hike.
Hi Barb!
ReplyDeleteYou go on the most amazing hikes! Your scenery is so beautiful ~ the flowers, the mountains ... the last of the snow still tucked into little corners!
The turquoise of the water was stunning!
I'm so glad you reached your goal!
I also smiled seeing your family photos of the bike race and the Courage Classic. Your grandchildren are adorable!
Oh I was wondering, did you get any of the rumblings of the earthquake in CO? We had some here in the capital region of NY. I didn't notice them though, I was cleaning the bathroom and that is always a wild time!
My sister just LOVED your response to her request. "Fancy That - Accessories for the Well-Dressed Cupcake."
I'm wishing her the best ~ Thank you for your great suggestion, Barb!
*have a sweet Sunday*
Maria
Flowering alpine meadow, or hidden crystal turquois lake is one of what I long for. I know I can’t easily get it without strenuous hikes like yours. I’m not brave enough to be alone in that nature no matter how I like solitary walk. So, many thanks for taking me with you with your narrative and photos. All the images took my breath away, as always! The blooms of harbinger of winter and the reddish grass tell the short-lived summer. Enjoy the rest of your summer as mush as possible, Barb.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I do admire you Barb. First of all for setting off by yourself, and secondly for your tenacity in going that last mile around the upper lake. Thank you for sharing this day that must have been so satisfying and lovely for you.
ReplyDeleteAmazing hike Barb! Such pristine beauty. The smells, fresh air and wildflowers... ahhh!
ReplyDeleteSweet hugs,
Sierra Rose
Your description of the hike sounds harder than some of the 14ers in CO! Congrats on finding the lake.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful hike you've taken us on today Barb. I love the photo of the clouds through the logs. It's a special part of the world there.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos from a great scenery - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLots of cool pics you have here. Especially like the flowers seemingly growing out of rocks and the dramatic skies. Wonderful body of work!
ReplyDeletesimply incredible. God's heaven on earth. y ou are so lucky to be living there.
ReplyDeleteWow - what pristine beauty! So exquisite and untouched.
ReplyDeleteA turquoise lake! That reminds me of a good memory at the mountains, four active volcano group,in southern part of Japan several years ago. My husband and I stayed at the cozy hotel on the previous night near the mountains and started climbing in the early morning. Unfortunately the mist was getting thick and obscured our view. Approaching the top of one of it, still visibility was poor, suddenly the veil of mist was cleared and a beautiful crater lake, though small one, appeared!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know how I described the color of the water but I'm sure it was turquoise! It WAS a hidden treasure.
I was surprised at the news that
one of the active volcanoes I was there at that time erupted for the first time in 52 years this year.
Anyway thank you for reminding me of beautiful "turquoise".
Hi Barb, these are amazing photos! I just cannot imagine climbing to such heights! It is something that I would love to do but I know I would have to do a lot to get into you kind of shape to do it. Well I think I will have some licorice and maybe big piece of cake and sit on the the sofa....it is to hot to do anything else...hehehe
ReplyDeleteAs always, this is simply stunning -- your colors are so clear, so brilliant. Really, it does feel as though your photography takes me there.
ReplyDeletewow....thank you for this amazing walk...
ReplyDeletethese are beautiful photos....ox
Either ways, looking at all 4 points, there's absolutely beauty! Your panoramic photos are absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, there's the oohs and aahs of admiration somewhere up there pass my 8900 feet elevation.
As you greet the next challenges, I will be there thinking of of...
Hope to conquer the kind of hikes you do, but not solo (hehehe, that;s why I wear bright colored tops, so they will find me glow as the sun sets)
What a wonderful hike and such beautiful vistas.
ReplyDeleteI'm so out of condition I'm not sure I could have done it, you are amazing. Summer is almost over and my longest hike has been five miles.
It's beautiful up there! A stark beauty punctuated with pretty flowers.
ReplyDeleteI bet it's hard to keep up with you when you hike. I like to walk but the terrain their looks difficult in places.
such a gorgeous solo hike. I paused with each photo to take in the wild beauty and imagine what it must have felt like to be there. I have never seen Arctic Gentians, they are gorgeous and I hope to meet them in person some day. Thank you for sharing your adventure with me/us!
ReplyDeleteThis is just too cool Barb. I would have LOVED being on that hike and just soaking in that scenery! It was a long hike, too bad there was no way to spend the night! Love Di ♥
ReplyDeleteWOW, WOW, WOW, Barb! These a stunning photos of magnificent places. What a terrific place to hike and see nature in all of its glory and myriad dimensions.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is a hike my heart leaps to consider. Everything I love about being in the outdoors you found on this amazing day. Love the photos, as I always do.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place to hike. Each photo is stunning.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I'd love to hike w/ you someday, Barb... you see the most amazing country. Glad you made it to your secret lake! I know what you mean about bad weather & high peaks- not a good combination. I had a ranger tell me once I had a "healthy fear" of thunderstorms in the mountains. I do love them, though. I'm currently listening to the wonderful sound of thunder in the distance...
ReplyDeleteWhat a hike....your pictures are really beautiful. It really makes me want to get up to the mountains.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo taken through the cabin logs, Barb.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed by the lovely flowers that grow amongst the scree.
That was quite a hike to the upper lake, but well worth the effort. What a beautiful scene.