FANCY PASS LAKE: HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS

PHOTO TAKEN BY: ANTONIA "TONI" ANTHONY
JOZIE ( 2-14-2015 TO 9-3-2022) AND ME AT FANCY LAKE
LABOR DAY 2017

Hikers and Campers,
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.

THE FANCY LAKE TRAIL
* The Fancy Lake trail is located in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest between Minturn and Leadville, Colorado. This Wilderness is for your use and enjoyment, but you have an obligation to leave it unimpaired for future generations. Please understand your responsibilities when visiting these special places and leave no trace of your visit.

The Fancy Lake Trail is a moderate-moderately difficult hike with 6-7.5 mile round trip a beginning elevation of 10,016 and ending elevation of 11,596 feet

Beginning off of Forest Service Road 727 the trail climbs steeply up the Fancy Creek drainage to Fancy Lake. A loop, that is popular with backpackers, can be formed by continuing past Fancy Lake and over Fancy Pass to Treasure Vault Lake and then over Missouri Pass where a descent is made down the Missouri Lakes drainage and back to the trailhead.

The trail starts out on a moderately steep slope that it maintains all the way to the lake.
While the trail itself is well maintained and easy to follow numerous rocks and tree roots protruding from its base make it feel more primitive in nature.
Near the 1 mile point the trail crosses to the north side of Fancy Creek.
A short distance after crossing the creek the current trail meets up with the original trail which was an old jeep road up to this point. The original trail followed a much more direct route and was actually about a half mile shorter than the current trail.

Just past the 2 mile point the trail rises above the 11,000 foot elevation. About 1/2 mile from Fancy Lake a memorable series of short switchbacks work their way up and over a rocky outcrop.
A short ridge separates Fancy Lake from the trail that continues on over Fancy Pass which is another 900 feet or so higher in elevation than the lake.

Directions from Minturn: Drive about 10.7 miles south from Minturn on Highway 24 over the RedCliffe Bridge and turn right onto the Homestake Road, FR #703. Continue for another 10 miles by following the signs to Missouri Lakes.
The Fancy Lake and Missouri Lakes trailheads are within a few hundred feet of each other. Fancy Lake will be on the right across from the restroom

Bring a lunch, plenty of water, SUNSCREEN…
See you all soon
Don