Short Backpack

[timf]

Posted something similar awhile back and going to try again.
Need a short (1-2 mile) backpack to a lake for my son to give backpacking a try.
He can do 3-4 mailes with a daypack, but wants his larger pack reasonably loaded.

I've thought of rainbow lakes near Nederland which now sounds like you have to pay for.
I;ve thought of Mohawk and Crystal Lakes near Breck, but they're 3 miles.

I've though of Chinn Lake, Slater Lake, Bill Moore Lake, Loch Lommond, and Reynolds Lake all near Idaho Springs, but don't want to get into a gun fight, haha.

Thought of Glacier Lake at the foot of St. Mary's Glacier which would be perfect, but who the hell knows where the private land ends and public land begins.

I've thought of Echo Lake. Can we just walk around it and be sure to camp 200+' from the lake?

Jefferson Lake, Tarryall Reservoir, Gross Reservoir, nope first come first serve.

Not suppose to be this difficult even on a holiday weekend! Any ideas?

[Scott P]

Perhaps Lost Lake near Granby? I used to hike there after work when working in the area. It's a beautiful lake and not that heavily trafficked.

[timf]

Looking at it now! Looks perfect! Thanks!

[timf]

Only problem is it says camping is only allowed at the 8 first come first serve spots.

[Scott P]

I think your looking at a different Lost Lake. The one I was suggesting is between Windy Gap Reservoir and Willow Creek Pass. It shouldn't be a problem finding a campsite there, even on Labor Day weekend.

[Scott P]

Here are some directions to the trailhead of the Lost Lake In was referring to.

http://www.summitpost.org/cascade-mountain/534805

Sorry about that; apparently there's more than one Lost Lake near Granby!

[timf]

4th of July road and Hessie Road junction west of Eldora and Nederland?

[two lunches]

Over by Tarryall--- Lost Creek Wilderness is in area 501 and bow season started Monday. just FYI

[Scott P]

The one I was referring to isn't close to 4th of July Road. It is northwest of Granby. I would post a map, but my phone doesn't have enough reception to download a map.

The directions in the link should be good.

[timf]

they were after investigating further. Interesting following the text of the directions on that link, I can see Cascade Mtn on Google maps, but not the lake itself. There is a lake that doesn't appear to be named and is a lot less then 1.5 miles. I'm sure we'll be good though. Thanks for the idea.

[Scott P]

they were after investigating further. Interesting following the text of the directions on that link, I can see Cascade Mtn on Google maps, but not the lake itself. There is a lake that doesn't appear to be named and is a lot less then 1.5 miles. I'm sure we'll be good though. Thanks for the idea.

Have a good trip, wherever you go.

Lost is named and I think it's 1.1 miles each way(?). It's due south of Cascade Mountain and the trail is along Willow Creek. Use the MyTopo map link on the Cascade Mountain page if you do want to see it. Maybe someone else can post a map; I can't do it on the phone.

Anyway, have good trip this weekend no matter where you choose. The weather is supposed to be pretty good.

[Above_Treeline]

We hiked to a Lost Lake near Cottonwood pass by Buena Vista. I think it was 1.1 miles?

A muddy area right before the lake last month, so if I did it again, I'd take some empty water bottles, to fill with water at a stream or the lake, to rinse feet.

I'm not sure about the camping situation, but people were camped in the area, seemed to be camped at a lake on the way in. Also TH, next to road. I'm thinking if you went past the lake, you'd be in solitude?

We took the CDT (I guess? At least part way) from Cottonwood pass and dropped into the lake, at the suggestion of a guy who seemed to be a local and very knowledgeable. Great hike! Other little lakes there, glad I had downloaded a topo. A bit more than you might want with a pack, though. But great to get above treeline!

The regular 1.1 mile trail TH is a bit hard to find, I really studied the map. But there were people there, when we got there, so it wasn't too hard since I'd studied the map.

I went to Spout lake, which was about 45 minutes further , but off trail, so that might be cool. Hey, I thought so! It's not flat like it looks on the map, though.

Several 13ers in the area, with mt yale th down the road, too.