Rise and Hike! Fit & Fun Weekday Hikers

Diamond Lake is a nice hike…but the trail beyond to Upper Diamond Lake is spectacular! Amazing wildflowers….Note that there is some moderate rock scrambling involved on this hike that involves using hands and legs.

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS TRAIL AND LIMITED PARKING, I AM KEEPING THE GROUP FOR THIS HIKE SMALL. PLUS INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS REQUIRES A PERMIT FOR GROUPS OF 8-12 PEOPLE.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, creek crossings & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will plan to have lunch at an appropriatete spot & we will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

Difficulty: about 9+ miles with 2,000 feet elevation gain. Highest elevation is about 11,800 feet

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This is a hike west of Nederland that leads to high alpine lakes nestled in the forest below Jasper Peak in Indian Peaks Wilderness. The demanding trail leads to Diamond Lake, past a waterfall and multiple cascades, and opens up to the incredible views that make Colorado’s high-country famous. We will continue to Upper Diamond Lake. NOTE THAT A 4WD VEHICLE IS RECOMMENDED TO GET TO TRAILHEAD. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/upper-diamond-lake

DOGS: NO dogs on this hike please.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: Because the 4th of July Trailhead is a very busy trailhead and because AWD and clearance are recommended, we will meet at the Nederland Middle-Senior High School and carpool from there. To get to the school, if you use google maps, you can type in “Nederland Middle/Senior High School” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Nederland Middle-Senior High School” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.9926&lon=-105.6501#.ZB-ohS9MFvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.

So sad 😢 but the planned Blue Lakes hike is closed so they can make renovations before the permit system starts. We will still hike to Columbine Lake. For our 2nd hike, we can split the group and pick from 3 hikes (details below).

CARPOOLS: For Columbine Lake July 22, carpooling is required. Wendy, Peg, and I will drive. We will meet by the Matterhorn Inn (201 6th Ave) at 5:25am to jump in cars. Gaylynn can ride with me from the resort and we will pick up DeLana on the way. Cindy, Vici, and Teri are walking distance to the Matterhorn Inn.

For July 24 hikes, Teri, Cindy, Sandy, Wendy, Gaylynn & I have offered to drive the carpools from Ouray. Peg & Brigitte will be in Telluride, so they can meet Bridal Veil Falls hikers at the TH. Once everyone has made a final decision, we can figure out drivers.

LODGING: Gaylynn, Peg, Brigitte, Wendy+guest & I are at Ouray Riverside Resort. DeLana is at Timber Ridge Lodge. Debbie & Sandy are at Matterhorn Inn. Cindy is at Twin Peaks Lodge. Vici & Teri are at an Airbnb. Peg & Brigitte are staying in Telluride Wed & Thurs nights.

DINNER MONDAY JULY 21: All except Sandy will meet at MineShaft Restaurant & Pizzeria. Since we have to get up early, let’s meet at 4pm. Address is 125 3rd Ave. Website: https://mineshaftouray.com

DAY 1: HIKE COLUMBINE LAKE JULY 22: Meet for carpool at 5:25am (carpool details above). About 8 miles & 2,800 ft elev gain (highest elev is 12,700 ft). Cars will follow each other and we will not park at the TH due to the terrible road & minimal parking. Instead we will find a spot on the road. This trail is considered one of the most beautiful hikes off the Million Dollar Hwy! Nestled among 13,000-ft. peaks lies the turquoise Lake which is considered by many to be more beautiful than Ice & Island Lakes near Silverton. We will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mtns, wildflowers & towering peaks. The Trail climbs up about 13 switchbacks for about 1.3 miles until the trail reaches treeline. The switchbacks are steep and strenuous at elev which begins at about 10,340 ft. Also there is an exposed ridge toward the top. See photo. See alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/columbine-lake-trail-509

DAY 2 JULY 23 RELAXATION: On this day everyone can do as they please…enjoy the hot springs, check out Ouray, visit Box Canyon Falls, etc.

DAY 3: HIKE OPTIONS: Per the survey, current plan is: Bridal Veil is me, Brigitte, Peg, Teri, Cindy & Gaylynn maybe. Silvershield is Sandy leaning & Gaylynn maybe. Cross Mtn is DeLana, Debbie & Vici. Wendy+guest are unsure.

CHOICE #1 BLUE LAKE VIA BRIDAL VEIL FALLS JULY 24: Meet for carpool in Ouray at 4:45am. Drive to hike is 1 hr 10 min. Hike is 10-11 miles & 3,200 ft elev gain (highest elev is about 12,200 ft). The trail offers an opportunity to first view CO’s highest free-falling waterfall (Bridal Veil Falls at 365ft) before continuing to Blue Lake. Wildflowers and waterfalls abound on this pretty hike up Bridal Veil Basin to an alpine lake set in a glacial cirque at 12,220-ft. The trail also passes historic mining structures. We will combine the following 2 alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/bridal-veil-falls-trail--6 AND https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/bridal-veil-falls-to-blue-lake

CHOICE #2 SILVERSHIELD TRAIL TO DINOSAUR PRINTS WITH OPTION TO CONTINUE TO TWIN PEAKS JULY 24. Meet at TH in Ouray at 6:00am. You can drive or walk to TH. If you hike to dinosaur prints, it is about 4.5 miles & 1,700 ft elev gain. If you hike all the way to Twin Peaks, it is about 6.5 miles 3,100+ ft elev gain. Did you know that the longest documented dinosaur track site is right above Ouray?! Well you can do this hike and check it out. There's also beautiful views of Ouray and the San Juans on this trail. Alltrails to just the dinosaur prints: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/silvershield-trail. Alltrails to dinosaur prints and on to Twin Peaks: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/twin-peaks-via-silvershield-trail

CHOICE #3 CROSS MTN TRAIL WITH VIEWS OF LIZARD HEAD JULY 24. Meet to carpool in Ouray at 4:45am. Drive to hike is about 1 hr 15 min. Hike is about 7-7.5 miles & 2,100+ ft elev gain (highest elev is 12,000 ft). This is a moderate hike that offers amazing views of Lizard Head Peak, a distinctive 400-ft. rock spire that looms over Telluride. Much of the hike is through the Lizard Head Wilderness and has lots of wildflowers. The trail meanders through meadows and conifers with beautiful views of Mt Wilson, Cross Mtn, and the uniquely-shaped spire of Lizard Head Peak. Alltrails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/cross-mountain-trail

NO DOGS!

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your safety.

YAY…I just contacted the Forest Service and the trail will be open again on weekdays this summer! It has been closed most weekdays the last 2 summers for trail maintenance. And this is such an amazing trail…especially during peak wildflowers.

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS TRAIL AND LIMITED PARKING, I AM KEEPING THE GROUP SMALL. IF SOME IF YOU WANT TO CARPOOL, PLEASE COMMENT IN THE EVENT…as I am not organizing a carpool for this one.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will plan to have lunch at an appropriate spot & we will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

Difficulty: about 7.5 to 8 miles with almost 1,400 feet elevation gain. Starting elevation is about 11,500 feet.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: With panoramic views of the Gore Range and Holy Cross Wilderness...Shrine Ridge is one of the most incredible wildflower spots in the state of Colorado. The last time we went, we saw the most beautiful field of every color of Indian paintbrush. We will do the hike to Shrine Ridge, but since it is rather short, we will add on an out and back hiking trail that leads south. Here is a link to my self-made alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-july-19-2022-1-05-pm-0f34132?u=i&sh=ittjkn

DOGS: 🚫 Not allowed.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Shrine Ridge Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the following alltrails link and click directions: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/shrine-ridge-trail. Or if you use google maps, you can type in “Shrine Pass Parking”. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Shrine Pass Road TH #709” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellant, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.519150000000025&lon=-106.25529999999998#.ZBUKsi9MFvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.

For those of you who are hiking the Windsor/Native Lake hike with me the following day (Wednesday), I am staying the night of July 29 in Leadville at Leadville Motor Lodge so that I’m already near Wednesdays hike. If any of you are interested, here is a link to my hotel website: https://www.leadvillemotorlodge.com

This hike will be a first for me…but I have been told it is an amazing hike. We will plan to hike at an average moving pace of about 2 to 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, stream & road crossings so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. Plan to have lunch at the lake & we will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

Difficulty: Moderate Plus - about 12.5 miles with about 2,900 feet elevation gain. Most of the elevation gain is completed in the last 1.5 miles of the trail. Max elevation at the lake is about 11,400 feet.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The Gore Lake hike ends at a beautiful alpine lake perched in the midst of craggy Colorado peaks. There are some steep sections, but it’s all worth it when we get to the lake where we may be greeted by mountain goats.
For the first four miles, we follow Gore Creek. The first half mile immediately starts out with a steep climb that may make you question your decision to go on this hike. Soon enough the path levels off to a steady and consistent, but less grueling incline. At 4.3 miles into the hike, we will come upon “the graves”. The gravesite is the resting place of Andrew and Dan Recen. The Swedish immigrants moved to Vail during the Colorado silver boom in 1876. They lived luxuriously until the 1893 silver crash. After the crash, the two settled in a cabin near the gravesite hunting and trapping to survive.
After the gravesite, the trail once again becomes very steep. The next mile is non-stop incline, but there are views of the mountains peaking out from behind the pine trees. The trail flattens out for a brief time before one last sharp incline for a tough final half mile push up to the lake where the beauty is worth the pain to get there. The turquoise waters stretching out in front of the mountains rising up on the opposite side of the lake make for the perfect place to rest and have lunch. A family of mountain goats are known to inhabit the alpine tundra surrounding Gore Lake. Be mindful of the beautiful animals and keep a safe distance. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/gore-lake

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW RULES: Your dog must be leashed at all times. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the walk. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Gore Creek Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use Google maps or Apple Maps, you can type in “Gore Creek Trail” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.641530000000046&lon=-106.20938999999998

REQUIRED WAIVER: if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.