IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Saturday & Sunday, August 9-10, 2014
Since Diane and I have been spending a lot of time this summer hiking in the San Juan Mountains I figured it was time to get in a weekend of hiking in the Elk Mountains, before it was too late. We left home bright and early on Saturday morning and drove around the Grand Mesa to Marble where we followed the Crystal River past the Crystal Mill and Devil's Punchbowl towards Schofield Pass. Diane was not a fan of this narrow and rough road, especially when we drove over the sections of large moving rocks. We stopped at the trailhead in Schofield Park so we could start our hike up to West Maroon Pass. Unfortunately, driving over Schofield Pass took a little longer than I remembered, so we arrived later in the morning than I would normally like to start hiking during monsoon season in the mountains. Since we weren't attempting to climb any peaks on this hike we decided to give it a shot and see what the weather would do. Some darker clouds moved into the sky early on during our hike and we got rained on a few times, but there were no thunderstorms nearby. While there were still plenty of flowers along it trail, it was obvious that wildflower season is definitely coming to and end as many of the flowers were wilted and dying. I bet this hike would have been an amazing sight a few weeks ago!
Schofield Park from the trailhead.
Schofield Park by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Trail Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This way to West Maroon Pass.
W Maroon Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane hiking in the rain.
Hiking in the Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The intersection with the trail to Frigid Air Pass. From this point on the trail we passed quite a few backpackers who were hiking the Four Pass Loop. This loop is certainly on my list of future backpacking destinations and this hike was a good introduction to the area.
Intersection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The rocky trail up to West Maroon Pass (12,500 feet). As I neared the pass I heard a very faint distant rumble of thunder, but it wasn't close enough for me to be concerned about. It would be the only thunder I would hear all day.
To the Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
View from the pass over East Maroon Creek with Pyramid Peak (14,018 feet) above.
West Maroon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Belleview Mountain (13,323 feet) on the left and Maroon Peak (14,156 feet) in the middle.
Maroon View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A closer look at Maroon Peak.
Maroon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looing through the notch at the pass before hiking back down the way I came.
West Maroon Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking back down the trail from the pass.
Trail Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Storms all around. Rain in the distance with light on the hills below.
East Fork by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Still some wildflowers left along the trail, though wilting away quickly. This area probably would have been really a nice a few weeks ago.
Upper Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leftover Wildflowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane hiking ahead of me on the way back down.
Down the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After making it back to the trailhead we drove into Crested Butte and had a late lunch at the The Brick Oven Pizzeria and then headed back to Marble via Kebler Pass and McClure Pass.
Abstract aspens along the Kebler Pass Road.
Kebler Aspen by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Distant hazy view before dropping down to the North Fork of the Gunnison River below.
Hazy Blues by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After driving through Marble for the second time of the day, we took the Lost Creek Road to Lead King Basin and found a nice campsite along the North Fork of the Crystal River shortly before sunset.
Driving above Silver Creek before descending into Lead King Basin.
Near the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Lead King Basin Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A view across the basin towards two unnamed 12,000+ foot peaks.
Across the Basin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Great views of Snowmass Mountain (14,092 feet) on the left and Hagerman Peak (13,841 feet) on the right.
Snowmass Mountain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Since Diane and I have been spending a lot of time this summer hiking in the San Juan Mountains I figured it was time to get in a weekend of hiking in the Elk Mountains, before it was too late. We left home bright and early on Saturday morning and drove around the Grand Mesa to Marble where we followed the Crystal River past the Crystal Mill and Devil's Punchbowl towards Schofield Pass. Diane was not a fan of this narrow and rough road, especially when we drove over the sections of large moving rocks. We stopped at the trailhead in Schofield Park so we could start our hike up to West Maroon Pass. Unfortunately, driving over Schofield Pass took a little longer than I remembered, so we arrived later in the morning than I would normally like to start hiking during monsoon season in the mountains. Since we weren't attempting to climb any peaks on this hike we decided to give it a shot and see what the weather would do. Some darker clouds moved into the sky early on during our hike and we got rained on a few times, but there were no thunderstorms nearby. While there were still plenty of flowers along it trail, it was obvious that wildflower season is definitely coming to and end as many of the flowers were wilted and dying. I bet this hike would have been an amazing sight a few weeks ago!
Schofield Park from the trailhead.
Schofield Park by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Trail Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This way to West Maroon Pass.
W Maroon Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane hiking in the rain.
Hiking in the Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The intersection with the trail to Frigid Air Pass. From this point on the trail we passed quite a few backpackers who were hiking the Four Pass Loop. This loop is certainly on my list of future backpacking destinations and this hike was a good introduction to the area.
Intersection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The rocky trail up to West Maroon Pass (12,500 feet). As I neared the pass I heard a very faint distant rumble of thunder, but it wasn't close enough for me to be concerned about. It would be the only thunder I would hear all day.
To the Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
View from the pass over East Maroon Creek with Pyramid Peak (14,018 feet) above.
West Maroon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Belleview Mountain (13,323 feet) on the left and Maroon Peak (14,156 feet) in the middle.
Maroon View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A closer look at Maroon Peak.
Maroon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looing through the notch at the pass before hiking back down the way I came.
West Maroon Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking back down the trail from the pass.
Trail Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Storms all around. Rain in the distance with light on the hills below.
East Fork by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Still some wildflowers left along the trail, though wilting away quickly. This area probably would have been really a nice a few weeks ago.
Upper Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leftover Wildflowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane hiking ahead of me on the way back down.
Down the Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After making it back to the trailhead we drove into Crested Butte and had a late lunch at the The Brick Oven Pizzeria and then headed back to Marble via Kebler Pass and McClure Pass.
Abstract aspens along the Kebler Pass Road.
Kebler Aspen by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Distant hazy view before dropping down to the North Fork of the Gunnison River below.
Hazy Blues by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After driving through Marble for the second time of the day, we took the Lost Creek Road to Lead King Basin and found a nice campsite along the North Fork of the Crystal River shortly before sunset.
Driving above Silver Creek before descending into Lead King Basin.
Near the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Lead King Basin Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A view across the basin towards two unnamed 12,000+ foot peaks.
Across the Basin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Great views of Snowmass Mountain (14,092 feet) on the left and Hagerman Peak (13,841 feet) on the right.
Snowmass Mountain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
