Trailheads, Treeline, Saddles and Summits. Backpacking in Colorado

[CO Boy]

Missouri Lakes/Pass, Fancy Lake/Pass


Elevation: 10,030' - 12,410'
Gain: 2,770'
Length: 10-13 miles

I've finally gotten back into my "thing" since the wife and I have moved to Colorado. I have been here three times before and was stuck in Philly for ten years. Colorado has so much access to high alpine country thanks to the mining boom early in the century.

This trip is not very long, but my backpacking partner and I wanted to stretch it to two days. We had the weekend so why rush it. While not very long, both passes are steep and the elevation is up there.

I started backpacking in the early 90's while attending college in Southeast Ohio. I really did not care for the climate there or even in the East during the summer. I spent a semester with The National Outdoor Leadership School in Alaska during the summer of 1994 and lived in Colorado previously three times. I've also worked in the outdoor industry for the past 10 years in retail sales and as a buyer.

Gear: I have a mix of brand new gear and 15+ year old gear that is still going strong.

Backpack: Osprey Impala (This pack is at least 15 years old but is in good shape)
Tent: MSR Carbon Relfex 2 (new)
Stove: Jetboil (new)
Sleeping Pad: Thermarest NeoAir XLite (I have two original Thermarests, but this one weighs 12oz. and is thicker than the old ones).
Sleeping Bag: Marmot Helium Membrain (down)

We started the trip with a drive through Vail into Minturn, Colorado where we stopped for breakfast. If you have never been to the Turntable you might wan't to try it if you get the chance.



Our first campsite above one of many of the Missouri Lakes @ 11,502'



Looking up towards Missouri Pass



Sunset over camp



Almost at Missouri Pass



Treasure Vault Lake at the pass



Very well marked unlike our last trip



Old Mining Equipment on Fancy Pass



Camp at Fancy Lake, I've decided not to use the rainfly since we are out of monsoon season



Dinner night two



Morning java during sunrise



Sunrise colors and reflections



I have found that while camping at this altitude I loose my appetite. I skipped lunches and forced breakfast (instant oatmeal) down. I've also decided to get another tent. Since my partner likes to sleep in his own tent which I don't mind. At three pounds the Carbon Reflex 2 is quite light at 3lbs. for two people but for one I can go a little lighter. I need a chair or chair kit to make camp more comfortable. This is weight I don't mind carrying. My partner carried his water filter. I've learned to hate pumping water so I plan on getting a Platypus Gravity Works Filter. Lastly, I will be replacing the 15 year old backpack with something newer from Osprey.

[aintnowookie]

Awesome! I picked up a Mountain Hardwear Backpack on SAC, but have yet to use it. This Fall for sure! Thanks for the inspiration.

[NoDubJustYet]

I started backpacking in the early 90's while attending college in Southeast Ohio. I really did not care for the climate there or even in the East during the summer. I spent a semester with The National Outdoor Leadership School in Alaska during the summer of 1994 and lived in Colorado previously three times. I've also worked in the outdoor industry for the past 10 years in retail sales and as a buyer.

OU?

Great pics!

[CO Boy]

OU?

Great pics!

Yes, go Bobcats!

Thanks!

[NoDubJustYet]

Yes, go Bobcats!

That's right!

[HookedOn16v]

Awesome. Gorgeous pics. Really can't wait to do some of this around here, and some day CO.

[mrothwell]

Colorado is on the list of places to live at some point in my life. I visited when I was younger and absolutely loved it. Sure, winter is cold as hell, but I think the scenery is pretty incredible.

[CO Boy]

Colorado is on the list of places to live at some point in my life. I visited when I was younger and absolutely loved it. Sure, winter is cold as hell, but I think the scenery is pretty incredible.

Winters are not that cold. There are places that get cold like Gunnison and Crested Butte, but generally we see days in the 50's during winter.

[Triumph]

I don't know what i'm doing on the east coast. There's nothing like the vast emptiness of the west around.

[climbingcue]

Colorado is the best, if I could move my job out there I would move there for good right now. If my job here ever ends I will be out there looking for a job. Don't know if that is ever going to happen. If not I will just have to settle for going out there every summer for 2-3 weeks. I do mostly cycling, but I am hiking the 14ers. Here was the data from the two days of hiking I did while I was out there in August.

Bill

[mrothwell]

Winters are not that cold. There are places that get cold like Gunnison and Crested Butte, but generally we see days in the 50's during winter.

Hmm, thats not bad at all. I guess the night is really cold though? How do you get snow for the ski resorts?

I totally looking this up on weather.com

[SSj4G60]

Colorado is on the list of places to live at some point in my life. I visited when I was younger and absolutely loved it. Sure, winter is cold as hell, but I think the scenery is pretty incredible.

x2, hopefully in the next 2-3 years

[CO Boy]

Hmm, thats not bad at all. I guess the night is really cold though? How do you get snow for the ski resorts?

I totally looking this up on weather.com

I don't know what you are asking here. It looks as if someone slipped you a ruffi and then you typed this.

[mrothwell]

I don't know what you are asking here. It looks as if someone slipped you a ruffi and then you typed this.

I don't think I was slipped a ruffi, but I suppose its possible.

What I was wondering was, isn't there a ton of skiing places around there? I thought that was the big thing to do in Colorado, which is why I always associated Colorado with cold winters. How is there snow without cold?

[CO Boy]

It gets cold at night, it gets cold at elevation and it snows. I'm not saying every day is 50 in the winter but its not unusual.

There is plenty of information on the world wide web, founded by Al Gore. Here is one website: http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/prec/prec_all.html

[climbingcue]

How is there snow without cold?

On avg the temp drops 3 F every 1,000 ft higher you go. So in the higher elevations it is much colder than it is in Denver or Boulder.

Bill

[tip]

I'm late to this thread, but damn that looks like fun. I have a bias towards my home state, but I wish I could live in CO for like 5 years before I die.

Get out there and post some more trips!