IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Saturday & Sunday, August 2-3, 2014
This weekend Diane and I spent a nice relaxing overnight backpacking trip at the Blue Lakes in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness. I have wanted to hike up to the Blue Lakes for many years and am glad I was finally able to get up that way. The scenery was beautiful and the weather was nice all weekend, too. While it looked like we might receive some of the typical afternoon storms on Saturday, they managed to miss us and we never saw a drop of rain all weekend. There seemed to be quite a few bugs out this time of the year, especially near the large patches of wildflowers we came across, but we managed to keep the mosquitoes away with some DEET bug spray that seemed to work well. While there were a bunch of people camped on the northwest side of the lower lake when we arrived, we crossed the outlet creek and found a nice campsite on the northeast side where no one was camped. Only one other person ended up setting up camp on this side of the lake, so it was nice and quiet.
We left home early Saturday morning and drove straight to the Blue Lakes Trailhead along East Dallas Creek. We put on our packs and started the 3.3 mile hike to the lower Blue Lake.
Blue Lakes Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A lot of green along the trail.
Green Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Entering the Mount Sneffels Wilderness.
Mount Sneffels Wilderness by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Climbing higher up the trail.
Up the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As we climbed higher we came across a few nice patches of wildflowers along the trail.
Patch of Flowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane among the wildflowers on our way up.
Coming Up the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking back down the East Fork of Dallas Creek towards the Uncompahgre River Valley.
Boulders by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After finding a nice campsite next to a large field of wildflowers at the edge of the trees we setup camp and rested for a little bit before hiking up to the middle and upper Blue Lakes under Mount Sneffels.
Wildflower Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Reflection on the blue waters of the lower Blue Lake.
Reflecting by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Crossing the creek as we climb above the lower Blue Lake.
Falling Water by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane above the lower Blue Lake as we hiked up to the middle and upper lakes.
Above Blue Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The trail above the middle Blue Lake.
Middle Blue Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
View of the upper lake.
Upper Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking down the outlet from the upper Blue Lake.
Upper Outlet by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I climbed to the top of a ridge for a nice view over the middle Blue Lake with Wolcott Mountain in the background.
Middle Blue Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After taking a few photos of the middle lake, I returned to the upper lake to find Diane sitting on a rock waiting for me.
Upper Blue Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Wildflowers along the trail.
Paintbrush by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Garden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking down on the amazing blue water of the lower lake.
Blue by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When we returned to the lower Blue Lake, Diane took a little nap while I hiked around the lake, taking a few photos along the way.
Spotlight by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The bright blue water and reflections were just amazing!
Blue Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This weekend Diane and I spent a nice relaxing overnight backpacking trip at the Blue Lakes in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness. I have wanted to hike up to the Blue Lakes for many years and am glad I was finally able to get up that way. The scenery was beautiful and the weather was nice all weekend, too. While it looked like we might receive some of the typical afternoon storms on Saturday, they managed to miss us and we never saw a drop of rain all weekend. There seemed to be quite a few bugs out this time of the year, especially near the large patches of wildflowers we came across, but we managed to keep the mosquitoes away with some DEET bug spray that seemed to work well. While there were a bunch of people camped on the northwest side of the lower lake when we arrived, we crossed the outlet creek and found a nice campsite on the northeast side where no one was camped. Only one other person ended up setting up camp on this side of the lake, so it was nice and quiet.
We left home early Saturday morning and drove straight to the Blue Lakes Trailhead along East Dallas Creek. We put on our packs and started the 3.3 mile hike to the lower Blue Lake.
Blue Lakes Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A lot of green along the trail.
Green Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Entering the Mount Sneffels Wilderness.
Mount Sneffels Wilderness by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Climbing higher up the trail.
Up the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As we climbed higher we came across a few nice patches of wildflowers along the trail.
Patch of Flowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane among the wildflowers on our way up.
Coming Up the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking back down the East Fork of Dallas Creek towards the Uncompahgre River Valley.
Boulders by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After finding a nice campsite next to a large field of wildflowers at the edge of the trees we setup camp and rested for a little bit before hiking up to the middle and upper Blue Lakes under Mount Sneffels.
Wildflower Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Reflection on the blue waters of the lower Blue Lake.
Reflecting by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Crossing the creek as we climb above the lower Blue Lake.
Falling Water by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane above the lower Blue Lake as we hiked up to the middle and upper lakes.
Above Blue Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The trail above the middle Blue Lake.
Middle Blue Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
View of the upper lake.
Upper Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking down the outlet from the upper Blue Lake.
Upper Outlet by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I climbed to the top of a ridge for a nice view over the middle Blue Lake with Wolcott Mountain in the background.
Middle Blue Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After taking a few photos of the middle lake, I returned to the upper lake to find Diane sitting on a rock waiting for me.
Upper Blue Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Wildflowers along the trail.
Paintbrush by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Garden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking down on the amazing blue water of the lower lake.
Blue by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When we returned to the lower Blue Lake, Diane took a little nap while I hiked around the lake, taking a few photos along the way.
Spotlight by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The bright blue water and reflections were just amazing!
Blue Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr