And when I say "run", I mean I hiked a lot of the ups, and ran moderate and downhill sections. As you can imagine from looking at this range from the plains, these trails are steep, and this one got steeper as it got higher.
This one is maybe a bit less dramatic than Willow Lake (one valley to the south), but it was still nice. The first part is open, then there are a ton of switchbacks through pines and open hillside, with aspens mixed in.
There was a great spire of rock along the way, which caused me to crane my neck and look upwards a lot. Very dramatic:
Once I got up to the lake, there was a lone camper trying to fish in a largely frozen lake. I, too, was surprised it was so cold still. But I guess it is still May.
Distance was 10.80 miles, time 4:19 (moving 3:02), elevation gain/loss 3,455 feet, avg. pace 24:03 (moving 16:54), and best pace 8:34.
Afterwards I headed through Salida and Buena Vista, stopping at Amica's and Eddyline to sample the IPAs. I figured the long drive home could wait.
I chilled out along the Arkansas River for a while.
The drive along 285 was pretty mellow, less traffic than I expected. What a great weekend with lots packed into a short time. Not too rushed, just about right.
