a.foot alpine lake adventure | south zapata lake at ellingwood point

We just completed the annual trek to the Great Sand Dunes and Zapata Falls. This is the follow up adventure. We will return and explore the source of Zapata Falls: South Zapata Lake, nestled at the foot of Ellingwood Point at 11,900 feet.

We will meet at the Zapata Falls trailhead and hike up to the lake. We will explore the lake area and the lower section of the couloir. The trail that we will take is part of the climbing route for summitting Ellingwood Pt., which tops out at 14,048 feet. Although we will not be summitting the peak, this hike will introduce you to the fourteener experience as well as the to the northern Sangre de Cristo mountains (which are my favorite).

Miles: 9.7 out and back
Elevation gain: 3,208 FT+
Average time to complete: Approx. 8 hours
Level: Advanced. Strenuous.

You must be fit and comfortable scrambling on Easy Class III talus slopes. I will vet all participants. If you have not hiked with me before, please DM me and tell me about your hiking and climbing experience and rate your current fitness level.

I will open this up to five members of the Denver group and five members of the Santa Fe - ABQ group.