HUNKY DORY LAKE: HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Be sure to read this and understand these TERMS OF SERVICE WAIVERS before signing up for any and all events:
~https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360027447252-Terms-of-Service
When Meetup members sign up and accept the Meetup Terms of Service, they are agreeing to the Release found in Section 6.2: This Release states that members attend events at their own risk, and release The Organizers, the assistant organizers and Meetup from any claims that may result in injury or death.

~ In addition we as organizers are not responsible for any damage done to your vehicles, mobile homes, trailers (pop tops included) especially after the dangers of some roads are mentioned in the postings.

~https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Backcountry-Search-and-Rescue.aspx
This is only a bit of advice, recommendation and suggestion but…BELIEVE ME! NO ONE IS AS HAPPY TO HAVE ONE AS I AM! ONLY $3.00.

Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card: Dedicated VOLUNTEER search and rescue (BSAR) professionals, across Colorado, are ready to mobilize to help those stranded, lost, or injured in the Colorado backcountry. Your Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) contribution supplies reimbursements to SAR teams for costs incurred while conducting search and rescue operations, and to provide funding for the purchase of search and rescue-related equipment and training. Because of your support and the tremendous generosity of our search and rescue responders, Colorado is a safer place to play. Purchase a COR​​SAR Card.

Camping: ~You do not have to camp on the days I have scheduled. Come and leave whenever you want to as a matter of fact I usually start camping sometime on Thursday and stay until Saturday evening. I avoid RVs the size of aircraft carriers, pulling another trailer chugging up any highway…BOTH WAYS!!! This way those coming up later in the week or the weekend will have a place to camp with those who are already there.
~ I always do my best to find dispersed camping sites near towns for several of your own reasons and purposes.
~ In case of an emergency, First Response Teams will be able to get to an injured person a bit sooner and safer.
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Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado: “Colorado is the only state on the Continental United States where you can fit in all four seasons in one single day.”
You Betcha Governor!

HUNKY DORY LAKE: HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS
I’ve been wanting to hike this trail for a very, very long time.
The Hunky Dory Lake is located at the edge of the Holy Cross Wilderness, is a moderate destination in the midst of an area full of natural beauty and various other hiking destinations, including: Holy Cross City, Cleveland Lake, Fancy Pass Lake and Fall Creek Pass all can be reached from the route to Hunky Dory Lake along French Creek.

The Hunky Dory Lake Trail is a moderate 7 mile round trip with a starting elevation of 9,320 ft. and an elevation gain of 2, 090 ft.
Directions: I have always considered U.S. 24 from Minturn all the way to Leadville GOD’S OWN OPEN ROAD God's Own Open Road - YouTube written and performed by Tish Hinojosa. Damn good traveling song that hits the soul in a whole different way! Wait until you see your surroundings!

From Interstate I-70 west of Vail, CO: take exit 171 then drive south on U.S. 24 for 12.7 miles through Minturn, over the Redcliffe Bridge until you come to Forest Road 703, which leads you into Blodgett Campground (also known as Homestake Rd and Campground) which is where several of us will be camping (dispersed)

Follow Homestake Rd parallel to Homestake Creek for 7.3 miles. Park at the trailhead right of Gold Park, near a sign describing the four-wheel-drive to Holy Cross City…Don’t worry, from here we begin our hike. No four-wheeling!

The Hike: If you arrive late; We’ll begin west from Gold Park up the road that ascends the valley through Aspen groves on the north side of French Creek. After 2.9 miles we’ll pass a signboard where we’ll cross FANCY PASS CREEK then pass around a vehicle road barrier.
The final 0.5 mile will take us to Hunky Dory Lake with Whitney Peak rising to the north winking at you! From here we’ll head on down to the Lake, Talk B.S, take some photos and sit for a spell.

I’ll see you either at the campground or at the trailhead
Drive Safely,
Don