Beckwith Pass/Three Lakes Loop Hike

Gunnison KOA
Gunnison, CO
July 23, 2016

 Joe and I headed out with Ronnie and Carol to Lost Lake Campground where the trailhead for Three Lakes Loop was located.  Lost Lake CG is located on Kebler Pass Road which is a left turn this side of Crested Butte.  It's a drive through a historic neighborhood of hodge podge homes...some really nice, some really cute, and some really run down.   

Other than a quick stop at the Visitor Center, we have not made any stops in Crested Butte.  It is always busy and congested. 



We traveled about 17 miles on Kebler Pass...a gorgeous drive through aspen forests, evergreens, and slopes of wildflowers before we made the left hand turn to Lost Lake CG.

Our hike started at the lower parking lot.  


We did a counter clockwise loop that began on the Beckwith Pass Trail which climbs up to a junction with Three Lakes Trail. 



I enjoyed the beauty and fragrance of the abundant wild roses.

 Lake 1 of 3 was Lost Lake Slough along Middle Creek.  It is much prettier and bigger than Lost Lake. 

At the first juncture we turned left and took the side trip to the 2nd of 3 lakes... Dollar Lake.

 The smells, sights, sounds and feel of the forest...makes my heart happy !

Showy Fleabane grow in large clumps from sagebrush hills to subalpine meadows.

 The last section of the loop was easy as we passed The Falls and headed down toward Lost Lake...lake 3 of 3.

Of course no hike here is complete without a creek crossing.  Here Middle Creek flows into Lost Lake. 



  

 All in all, this was a great 4.5 mile loop with lots to see, lots of shade, and lots of fun.

As we headed home on Kebler Pass, I noticed what looked like coneflowers in large bunches along the road that had already bloomed. This brought back memories of the sticks and bricks and my gardens.  Joe pulled over and I quickly got a picture.  To my surprise as I was looking in Wild About Wildflowers  I found what I had photographed.  

This is a Rayless Coneflower and what you see is what you get.  It never had petals.  These purply-brown cones of disc flowers bloom late in the summer. The guide even stated that they are abundant on the west side of Kebler Pass. 

 Our time is winding down here in Gunnison.  Today was packing up day and we hit the road early in the morning heading south to Tucson.  I still have a few more posts to do from Gunnison so will finish up when we are settled in.  

So, until next time happy trails !

Street art in Crested Butte

Long Lake Trail

Gunnison KOA
Gunnison, CO
July 3, 2016

We arrived at the Gunnison KOA this past Friday and haven't slowed down one bit.  Our friends Ronnie and Carol and their pup Cooper are here too.

The weather has been so nice with highs in the low 70s and nights in the mid 40s.  We have had thundershowers in the afternoons the past two days...no worries, it's actually kind of nice.

The pups love the doggie park.  It's grassy with lots of trees, plenty big for playing and exploring, and CLEAN !  

 And then there is the treat man...life is good for the Tan Clan and Cooper !
















Saturday was spent familiarizing ourselves with Gunnison.  Important things were found like the car wash, Wal Mart, and City Market.  We also enjoyed a yummy lunch at El Paraiso with friends and made a stop by the Visitor Center. 

This morning we were up early and eager to hit the trails.  We chose an easy, short hike to get things started...Long Lake Trail.  It is located just north of Crested Butte on Washington Gulch Road.  It is a 2.5 mile in/out trail with a 515 elevation gain with a maximum 9690 feet.  Highlights of the trail are aspens, wildflowers and swimming...yes, there were swimmers when we were heading out.  

The first section of trail is a gravel road surrounded by aspens, evergreens and wildflowers.  It was a very comfortable 60 degrees when we started.  







Nothing quite like the smell of the forest...

Following the well marked trail signage, we made a left turn and connected to a narrow trail that followed Long Lake.  Absolutely gorgeous !

The trail ends at a fence with a private property sign.  

Of course everything in between had me on camera overload.   

Columbines

Alpine Spring Beauty

 Mule's Ear

Lupines

It sure feels good to have the hiking boots dusted off and we don't even mind that they are caked with rich black earth.  It was a great morning.  

It's a beautiful, winding 30 miles from Gunnison to Crested Butte on Hwy 135 north...the first of many (I hope!) trips that way.   Going was sunny...

...coming home was cloudy and rainy. We even had a brief period of sleet and hail. 

 Until next time, happy days and...

Rosy Paintbrush

 HAPPY TRAILS !