Monday July 18, 2011

We headed out to the upper Podure Canyon to find the Blue Lake Trail. Beginning elevation was 9400 feet and we turned at about 10,500 feet. Our total hike was our longest, 8 miles out and back.

The trail description from the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers:
The first 2 miles of the trail follows an old logging road and is in multi-use National Forest. Within the first 0.25 mile you will cross over Joe Wright Creek. About 1.5 miles from the trailhead there is a small rise to the east with a nice overlook that offers glimpses of Chambers Lake. You will enter the Rawah Wilderness shortly after crossing a footbridge over Fall Creek. After another 2 miles, you reach a meadow and a log bridge crossing the north branch of Fall Creek.

Trail elevation from http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org/

Trailhead

Off we go!

We were hiking in the Rawah Wilderness

A 2 miles we crossed the foot bridge at Fall Creek

Fall Creek

Fall Creek

Dad took a sit at Fall Creek

Mom is eating a power bar honest!

And off we went.

There was snow along the way.

About 4 miles in we crossed a beautiful meadow where we stopped and took a breath

The meadow was a good spot to get a picture of Mom and Dad

At 5 miles we reached a little log bridge and so much snow on the other side we could not find the trail. We were pretty tired anyway and had 5 miles to go back.

Did I tell you I like the water?

I know I was tired. I took a rest while Mom and Dad had a bite of lunch.

Avalanche Lilly

A short rest on the return at Fall Creek

Fall Creek

All done, 10 miles!!!

After the hike we drove to Cameron Pass (10,249 ft) a bit further west on Highway 14. Some beautiful scenery but no moose to be seen.

Mt Richthofen 12,940 ft