Ran the flats, easy smooth slopes and downhills. Hiked the rest. I found it pretty brutal, probably due to a convergence of factors: altitude, cumulative fatigue, slope, terrain, temperature. It was hot, and the trail was relentlessly rocky and rooty in the way the Indian Peaks can be, never allowing two smooth steps in a row, and requiring extra lift in the knees so as not to catch a toe. By the end my feet were rather unhappy from getting rock shots to the sole and toes. Cursing out loud a bit.
But at some point, I forgot about the how, and just proceeded to enjoy the what.
The road to the trailhead was around 4.5 miles long, on one-lane gravel.
There was a somewhat exposed 0.6-mile run up to the Rainbow Trail. If you've run from Gold Hill in Breckenridge, it's like the first mile or so.
After about 2 miles, there's a really great section along Stout Creek, which is just what you envision a cascading mountain stream to be like. Absolutely beautiful.
The trail after this gets even steeper, and increases in slope nearly the entire way. At some point I started walking over drifts of snow, and having to pick my way around giant mounds of it. The wind was blowing in the trees, the sense of wilderness tangible.
About 3 miles from the parking area, it seems like you are finally coming up on the lakes, but it's actually just a small tarn below the actual lakes. You must ascend a steep slope up to the first lake:
The area of rock in the center of the photo above is another slope that must be ascended to get to the second lake:
Looking back down on the first lake:
Small icebergs floated around as I took photos.
The descent was arduous due to the constant concentration required to avoid a sprained ankle or a bruised sole. Pretty tiring.
I should have brought the water filter too, because even at 11,000 feet the sun was hot and I could have used more water. The cascades that fell down the slopes were no doubt tainted by the many marmots, and I didn't want to risk it.
Distance was 9.21 miles, time 4:34 (moving 2:53), elevation gain/loss 3,931 feet, avg. pace 29:48 (moving 18:52), and best pace 8:28.
After this I grabbed a bite to eat, and then hit the road so I could be tailgated and/or passed all the way along US 285. I amused myself trying to identify landmarks along the way, and finally recognized most of the mountains. Newly recognized this time were Bross, Cameron and Lincoln, along with Quandary in the background. Then, Bierstadt and Evans from farther away than I realized. Also Bald Mountain and... [some French name] near [some pass] (turns out it was not Mount Guyot, it was Boreas Mountain, near Boreas Pass). I also recognize the hill next to Como now. Headed south, I consistently recognize Mount Ouray and Buffalo Mountain. Still fuzzy on mountains northeast of Guyot, and on the peaks south of Salida.
