Lake City
Trip Dates: September 15, 2020 – September 17, 2020
Trail Report
Waterdog Lake
Distance: 8.6 miles roundtrip (map says 7.6 miles roundtrip).
At the start there is approximately 1.17 miles of loose shale like rock. Various sizes of loose rock make it easy to sprain or twist an ankle.
Elevation: Starting elevation was 8632 feet and finishing elevation was 11120 feet. Trail Condition: Besides the first 1.17 miles it is good.
About the hike: This is a long hike. It takes a toll on the body more than one would imagine for a nearly 9 mile hike. The first half of the hike, before the turnaround at Waterdog Lake, is all uphill (or more accurately up-mountain). The incline in some portions is drastic and tough. There are a lot of good views and a nice walk through an Aspen grove (perks of a fall hike is the golden colored leaves).
Camp Trail
Distance: Total trail distance is approximately 10 miles roundtrip. I hiked 2.74 miles and turned around.
Elevation: 10877 feet after 2.74 miles. Starting elevation is 9285 feet.
Trail Condition: There are a decent number of narrow portions of the trail which are edged into the side of the mountain.
About the hike: This is a great hike to acclimatize. The elevation gain is nicely spread out making it a more feasible hike as well. The trail is a multi-use trail for hiking and horseback riding.
The Hiking Project has some useful information about the entire trail.
State Route 30
This paved road eventually becomes a dirt road with signs that say 4 wheel-drive vehicles only. This is an understatement and was quite a bumpy, rattling, and difficult drive for my 4 wheel-drive truck. The road has a lot of ruts, large rocks, is narrow winding around the mountain, and overall can be white knuckling.
This is the road to access a lot of hikes and summits near Lake City. I was fairly nervous driving it in my truck and, for a long time, there are no good turnaround points.
I would recommend at least going down this route to drive by Lake San Cristobal. The backdrop of this lake in the middle of the mountains is something that is usually not as easily accessible as Lake San Cristobal. Lake San Cistobal is the second largest natural lake in Colorado
Trip Report Coming Soon!
