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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Gaperville, CO
    Posts
    5,845

    3-day, 2-night (or more) backpack rec in N. San Juans/Elks/Maroon Bells?

    Impromptu COvid honeymoon plans include a few days on the trail in SW Colorado or Aspen/Carbondale area. Prior to backpack we'll be in Ridgeway, then up to Carbondale area.

    Looking for 3-day, 2-night-ish recommendations. We've got Monday-Wednesday nights to play with, so hopefully light on crowds. A hike in + base camp setup to day hike from also a good option. I'm working off a high-ankle sprain and not sure how it is going to hold up...so big days (12+mi) on lots of technical terrain probably isn't in the cards.

    Hot springs a plus.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the swamp
    Posts
    11,124
    San Juans: Molas Pass into the Grenadier Range area: below Arrow and Vestal Peaks.

    Backpack into Chicago Lakes Area.

    Elks: Backpack up to Capital Lake or Snowmass Lake.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    SEA>DEN>Spokanistan
    Posts
    2,965
    Backpacking the 4 pass loop — was easily the highlight of my 4 years spent in CO. We hiked CW, 12 miles the first day then 6 and 6. Sure the first day is a bitch but totally worth it. Last night spent at Snowmass.

    Amazing hiking!
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    Went during the Eclipse!
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    I-70 West
    Posts
    4,684
    From Ridgeway, I'd look at some of the northern Uncompaghre loops.
    Ex. Fall Creek -> Big Blue -> Falles Creek, or Alpine Mesa -> Little Cimmarron -> East Fork from Silver Jack.
    Congrats J - have a great time.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the swamp
    Posts
    11,124
    Yes, waking up at Snowmass Lake is something I’ll never forget.
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Gaperville, CO
    Posts
    5,845
    Dang -- snowmass lake does look pretty baller. One option that popped up was Snowmass lake -> Willow Creek loop. Sounds like you can camp near Snowmass lake? Hoping slightly less crowded since we're going mid-week.

    Uncompaghre loops look pretty money too.

    Thanks for ideas and congrats. We're gonna make the most of it despite it being Plan C.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the swamp
    Posts
    11,124
    Quote Originally Posted by doebedoe View Post
    Dang -- snowmass lake does look pretty baller. One option that popped up was Snowmass lake -> Willow Creek loop. Sounds like you can camp near Snowmass lake? Hoping slightly less crowded since we're going mid-week.

    Uncompaghre loops look pretty money too.

    Thanks for ideas and congrats. We're gonna make the most of it despite it being Plan C.
    That Willow Creek - Buckskin Pass - Snowmass is unreal. I’d do that and it’s quiet.

    View of Snowmass/Capital and Snowmass Lake from Buckskin:
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