Isolation Peak, Fleur de Lis, Mount Craig,and Ten Lake Park from Wild Basin.

After a several year hiatus from Wild Basin, this year has marked a return to the place where it all started.  Earlier in the year, I decided to "run" Isolation Peak in preparation for the race.  While I say run, it was really more of a fast hike, particularly with the off trail time after Bluebird Lake.

It was a rather pleasant and peaceful day, and it was awesome to revisit the area that captured my imagination years ago.  A return to the memory of some big and fun days.

It was several years later on a pretty big day with Dan that I finally got to see the west side of Isolation Peak.  Like many others, it was interesting to get a different perspective on the mountains I was so familiar with from the east.  And that west ridge looked extremely fun!  

With other goals and wants, a return has taken a few years, but another friend proposed a long and adventurous route to visit Fleur de Lis and Mount Craig.  We'd start and end at the Wild Basin trail head, going up and over Isolation, taking the west ridge out and back, with a brief drop down into Ten Lake Park.  My kind of day, it took zero arm twisting to get out for these repeats!

We met and started just as the sun was rising, headlamps not needed, but brought along just in case.  Dave beat me to the trail head by a few minutes, and said one person had started before us, though we never did see them.  In fact, the only people we saw the whole day (besides each other), was a couple near Bluebird Lake who had camped at the site close to there.

Bluebird Lake, Ouzel Peak.
With my visit earlier in the year, it was pretty easy to follow the cairned social trail around Bluebird Lake and to the bench above Lark Pond and Pipit Lake.  There's some bushy stuff in this area, but it's generally easy to avoid.
We stopped at the beautiful and isolated Isolation Lake for a snack and water.  While there were possibilities on the other side, this was the last definite water we'd come across for a long time-possibly until we made the return trip and went by this lake again.
We started up the scree slope towards Isolation.

Somewhere up there, Mahana Peak and Copeland Mountain behind.
We made it to the summit of Isolation relatively easily.  There aren't any technical difficulties along the way, it's just the gain to get there.

Dave on the summit.
He'd copied and brought the route description from Lisa Fosters book along.  This suggested staying on the ridge direct as fourth class at the easiest, with multiple towers to go around.  With this in mind, we decided to drop down a little and contour around, staying at around 12700 feet.  The terrain was pretty manageable, with just a touch of loose stuff here and there. 

Looking back towards Isolation and those deep blue skies that only seem to happen in September.

Copeland Mountain.
We reached a flatter section and headed north to meet the ridge, which was outstandingly fun third class.

Dave descending the ridge.
This ridge was pretty awesome, with fun and engaging route finding.  As we kept remarking, we'd yet to hit any real difficulties, and the day was going swimmingly.
On the way out, we bypassed the small lump west of the ridge at around 12200 feet on the south side.  On the way back we stayed up higher on it and it was fine either way.
We crossed a small social trail at the saddle between Isolation and Fleur de Lis, then started up.  Though this peak is second class, the easiest approach is from the west side, and we found a little bit of scrambling to get to the top.

Looking back at Isolation.
We continued on to Mount Craig.  From previous experience, I knew we should stay to the south of point 11902, as it's scrambly and difficult to go over.  On the other side, we took what was probably not the best route up.  This was probably the hardest few moves of scrambling of the day, or so I felt.  But it was short, and we were soon back on tundra.

Looking back from near Mount Craig. 

Right near the summit.
Well, it's probably easier to get Fleur de Lis and Mount Craig from the west, but I wouldn't say that day is "easy".  I do vividly remember my previous visit, with friend and oft hiking/running partner Dan.  Near the end of the day, he told me (I *think* in jest) that if we'd done the loop we did in reverse, he would've never spoken to me again.  At the very least, that would've made for an awkward ride home.
But here Dave and I were at our furthest point out.  Now all we had to do was turn around.  And go all the way back.  We decided to drop down into Ten Lake Park and take a promising looking gully up, and skirt around Isolation.  (Now that I'm writing this a few weeks later, I think that was the intention here.)

Beauty.  Of course, just as we were wondering aloud how long it had been since someone had been there, I found a German made Swiss Army style knife on the ground.  It had been out for awhile, but at least we can say people sometimes come here.  And I again learned the hard lesson that when water is getting lowish and the next definite source is a good bit away, you should fill up.  Figured I'd know that now, and I never seem to do it.  Ah well, not having water for an hour didn't kill me!

Now looking back on Mount Craig.  What an awesome day!
We were both getting tired, and as we got back towards the west ridge of Isolation, made the choice to just go back the way we'd come, but to possibly stay on the ridge the entire way.  Fosters book calls this fourth class and talks about bypassing towers to stay direct on the ridge.
I felt and we talked after that we both felt this ridge was no more than third class, and we didn't find any towers to bypass.  So I'm not sure where her description came from.  Sure, there's some route finding, but it's pretty easy to stay right on top.  "Easy".
We made it back to Isolation, and ended up meeting the south ridge maybe forty vertical feet below the summit.  Since I have a sick desire to visit isolated peaks multiple times in the same day from different trailheads/directions/whatever, I climbed back to the top while Dave descended and waited for me. 

The same view as earlier, hours later.  Different and just as spectacular.

The south ridge in the afternoon.
We descended back to Isolation Lake, where we were both happy to filter and drink some water and eat some food.  Though we were still a good distance from the trailhead, there was finally some sense of being almost done, at least for me.  There were no more major elevation gains, and while there was still some off trail time, we were past the hardest and talusyest terrain.  Soon we'd have a trail, and from there we could just motor on down.
We wanted to see how far we could make it without headlamps, but it wasn't much beyond Bluebird Lake.  Ah well!
Now with food and water in us, we enjoyed some conversation on the way back.  I think we were both suffering a bit for various reasons going back up over Isolation.  But we identified the problems, corrected them, and got over it.
I generally like my work schedule and love my job, but after days like this I wish I had more weekend time available.  This was my second time hiking with Dave this year, and what awesome days they've been with a more experienced partner.  It's been particularly nice to hike or run with some new people this year, and to find some other kindred spirits out there.
We got back to the trailhead and got situated before saying our farewells.  At least this time it was me who had the shorter drive home, I was definitely tired!
While this day was all repeats for me, I certainly had an awesome time going along.  I'm sure not many people will venture in far enough to do the west ridge of Isolation Peak, but if you are looking for a fun scramble, it's pretty great.  Though not on the map, there is a pretty good social trail all the way up to Fifth Lake, and it would be pretty reasonable to do from there.
Link to hike map/GPX on Caltopo (like last time, there might be some bonus miles here).
Isolation Peak, Fleur de Lis, Mount Craig, and Ten Lake Park from Wild Basin:
Bluebird Lake, 10990 feet: 7.4 miles, 2490 foot gain.  Second class.  Moderate+.
Isolation Lake, 12000 feet: 9.5 miles, 3500 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous-.
Isolation Peak,13118 feet: 10.25 miles, 4618 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Fleur de Lis, 12250 feet: 12.3 miles, 3750 foot gain.  Third class.  Strenuous.
Mount Craig, 12007 feet: 14.4 miles, 3507 foot gain.  Third class.  Strenuous.
Ten Lake Park, 11228 feet*: 15.5 miles, 2728 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Isolation Peak, 13118 feet: 18.7 miles, 4618 foot gain.  Third class (from the west).  Strenuous.
Isolation Lake, 12000 feet: 19.6 miles, 3500 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Bluebird Lake, 10990 feet: 21 miles, 2490 foot gain.  Second class.  Moderate+.
As a whole, this day covered 29.15 miles (maybe a little less, again got some GPS interference) with 8794 feet of elevation gain in up to third class terrain.  One of the big difficulties you'll face is the time above treeline, which is from around mile seven to mile 21.  Water is scarce, make sure you take advantage of what you find when you find it.  Strenuous+.
*This is the approximate elevation of the lake we were at. 

Lake Powell, Mount Alice, and Pilot Mountain.

My friend and regular hiking partner Dan had Mount Alice on his list for this year.  This is such a spectacular peak and of course Wild Basin is so beautiful it didn't take much to convince me to go for a repeat.  My only condition was that we additionally attempt the "easy" way to get to Lake Powell and possibly add Pilot Mountain on the descent so I could get some photos of it.
He was game, and off we went!
We started from the Wild Basin TH at 3:50am, which set off pictures of Loch Ness Monsters in my head...
We got to Lion Lake one just before sunrise, with the nearly full moon soon to set behind the continental divide.  Already two of our days goals were quite visible.  The distinctive diamond of Mount Alice and the crumbling arm of Pilot Mountain.  Very little wind this early in the morning gave some nice reflective photos, but nothing like we'd see later. 

Sunrise and Chiefs Head Peak.

Lion Lake Two, which lies a short hike uphill from number one.

Snowbank Lake, which lies a short hike uphill from number two.  The namesake snow bank is actually pretty small at this point.
From here we went left or south to gain the ridge and continue west to Hourglass Ridge.  This is pretty mellow over tundra and talus, with a faint trail visible most of the way up. 

Sunrise casts the shadow of Pagoda Mountain onto Mount Alice.

We arrived at Hourglass Ridge proper, and snared this great view of Mount Alice in the morning sun.  It certainly looks alot different and less intimidating from this angle.
From here, we went north.  The ridge can be taken to Chiefs Head Peak, and farther even to McHenrys.  There is a finger of land that extends northwest off the ridge, and this is the way to descend to get to Lake Powell.

McHenrys Peak and Notch along with Stone Man Pass.

We finally gained sight of the lake.  I didn't realize how reflective it was when I shot this photo.  It looks like a whimsical upside down heart shape from above.
The descent is on tundra, with more and more large blocks of talus towards the bottom.  A loss of almost 1000 feet brought us here, to a place of true solitude and peace.

Reflections of things to come.

What is wrong with this picture?  Notice the rock and grass in the upper right hand corner...
Well, if you haven't figured it out, I flipped this photo.  The top part is actually the reflection in the lake.  That is how amazingly still the water was. 

Here is a second photo the right way.  It looks like a mirror was laid down below me.  Incredible!
Due to there being no trail to it, and the "easy" way requiring an 18+ mile round trip with around 5000 feet of gain, this lake is seldom visited.  But it is worth it.  We thought this lake probably sees the same number of visitors each year as Pilot Mountain, which is to say in the single digits.  
We took a nice snack break, and then made our way back up to Hourglass Ridge.

On the way back up, points west.

Now back on Hourglass Ridge, we make our way to Mount Alice.  Though it looks intimidating, the worst part is probably on the small connector between the ridge and Alice.  Things narrow, with some easy scrambling and a bit of exposure.

On the way up, we both stayed near the west ridge of the mountain to find a fun scrambly route to the top.  You could also stay more to the east for a less scrambly option.  Staying near the ridge did provide some great views!

And then we were there!  The good thing about Alice is the high point you see from the bottom is actually the top.  No false summits here.  It is hard to tell what might be the true highest point, though the western hump is cairned and holds the register, which was missing a cap and anything inside.  See also in this photo Chiefs Head, Pagoda, Longs, and Meeker.

And looking south along the divide to Wild Basin.  It was good to be back and see so many familiar places and relive so many memories.

We descended south and east from Alice, continuing to cut south as we could.  I thought this gave a unique perspective on the mountain.  The diamond looks alot different from here. 

And again, the third, seventh, first, and second highest peaks in the park.  I've now ascended them all.

On the way to Pilot Mountain.

We arrived at the top of the loose scree and talus gully I had ascended to get to this peak last year.  There is a large boulder near the top of this which blocks the way up.  This also marks the place to start out on the grassy ramps towards the peak.

Pretty mellow travel at first on wide grassy ramps.

Which narrow slightly...

And then slightly more...
Until you come to a pile of talus which you climb over, loosing some elevation on the other side.  This is where the going gets tough.  Ascend the fourth class chimney feature.

Dan going up.  Last time around, I commented that I found the transition to and from the chimney to the face on the other side the hardest part.  I'd say that held true again.
Upon arriving at the top of the chimney, you'll now have to traverse and ascend some cracks in the rock to the top.  This keeps you in third class territory. 

This summit is tiny, with room for just a few people.  Dan looked south over the edge and uttered an expletive.  It is also super exposed.
There is alot of history here.  The register was placed in 1974, before either of us was born.  Actually the year my parents married.  It has not seen many ascents in the time since.  Last year wrapped up with a whopping ten.  This year we were numbers two and three.  That is pretty incredible to think about, and why these minor peaks are places that stand out in my mind. 

We went back up the gully and traversed over to descend Mount Alice's grassy eastern slope.  This was way better than taking the gully back down from Pilot.

Pilot as seen from below.
We were able to pick a good way through the trees, and avoided any bushwhacking for the most part.  The day was heating up pretty well, and I was quite warm.  "Unless it's thundering, I am swimming in Lion Lake," I said. 

Not pictured this time, but this lake is not very deep and it was less of a swim and more of a fall backwards into thigh deep water. 

It's always hard to believe we were up there shortly ago.

Chiefs Head Peak.  We saw two other parties of two at or near Lion Lake, and very few others on the way back to the car.

I did see this bunny along the trail!
Here are some beta photos to help you along the way.  I have circled the large boulder blocking the scree gully in pink.  If you take the gully up, continue up to the right of this boulder before crossing over to the grassy ramps above it.  If you come from Alice, just consider this boulder a marker to find the right place to start.

 The boulder.

 Route on the grassy ramps, with the chimney crux circled in red.

 The boulder as seen from below.

Route as seen from below.
We made it back to the car right around 3:30pm, giving us an almost twelve hour day.  All things considered, not too bad.  I think we estimated something like 5700 total feet of gain over 19ish miles. 
All in all, a great day in the park, visiting or revisiting some very worthy destinations.  Mount Alice is fun in and of itself, but for those of you with the spirit of adventure, consider adding a visit to Pilot Mountain on the descent.  Lake Powell is breathtaking, and worthy of a visit.  Consider the effort to get there and back well worth it to have this alpine tarn all to yourself!  It was rewarding to climb Longs, but it is the destinations like these that my heart truly seeks.
Lake Powell, Mount Alice, and Pilot Mountain:
Lake Powell, 11540 feet: 9.1 miles each way, 3040 foot gain (but close to 4000 total since you ascend to around 12500 on Hourglass Ridge).  Strenuous.
Mount Alice, 13310 feet: 8.8 miles each way, 4810 foot gain.  Second class.  Strenuous.
Pilot Mountain, 12200+ feet: 9.5 miles each way via Mt. Alice, 3700 foot gain.  Fourth class.  Strenuous.
Along the way you'll pass:
Lion Lake 1, 11080 feet: 6.3 miles one way, 2580 foot gain. Moderate.
Lion Lake 2, 11420 feet: 6.9 miles one way, 2920 foot gain. Moderate+.
Snowbank Lake, 11521 feet: 7.1 miles one way, 3021 foot gain. Moderate+.

Finch and Pear Lakes in the winter.

A week ago Dan and I met up in Lyons early one morning and made the drive up to Wild Basin.  We were going to try for Finch and Pear Lakes, something that I had set out to go for on my first ever snowshoe adventure last year.  At that time, I made it to the forest fire area, where I met with deep powder and lots of down trees.  Eventually I turned back, so I wanted to return this year.
We started from the Allenspark Trailhead this time, and it was quite pleasant.  This way will take about one mile each way off the journey to either, making it four miles to Finch Lake and six to Pear.  It also starts about 500 feet higher, so there is less total elevation gain.
Snow conditions were good- well packed trail with just a dusting of powder.  We both set out in our snowshoes, though in reality they were probably not needed until after Finch Lake.

Not much in the way of views to start, but this changes once you meet the Pear Lake trail and can see north.  Pictured above- Pagoda Mountain, Longs Peak, and Mount Meeker.  Dragons Egg Rock visible on Meeker.

Finch Lake was relatively easy to get to since the trail was already broken.  A far cry from last year!

About the most snow either of us had seen in the mountains this winter.

We also found ourselves fortunate that someone or someones had been from Finch to Pear Lake already, and the trail was relatively broken in.  I'd still take snowshoes for these two miles though. 

Elk Tooth and Copeland Mountain from Finch Lake.

Elk Tooth from Finch Lake.  I have very fond memories of climbing it last year. 

From farther out.

St. Vrain Mountain as seen from Finch Lake.  This peak actually lies on the same ridge as Elk Tooth and Ogalalla.  Click here for a similar view as seen in the summer.

Back from whence we came.

There wasn't much to see until we got to Pear Lake.  The light winds we had encountered at the lower elevations were ripping here, and we didn't stay long.  This is the sign that you go around to head to Hutcheson and Cony Lakes.  Buried.

Elk Tooth looking ever more impressive as we get closer to it. 

Elk Tooth and Copeland looking over Pear Lake.  Click here for a similar view shot in the summer.

Copeland in the winter.  Click here to see it in the summer.

Great views at Pear Lake.

A bit chilly in the wind, but loving it.  After not being able to make it to the lake last winter, it was a great feeling to have success this time.
We followed our prints back down and had a wind sheltered snack before heading back.  We both stopped in the forest fire area to remove our snow shoes. 

Giants.

Wild Basin, my home away from home.
I can of course only speak for myself here, but I had a great time doing this hike.  I have been to these lakes plenty of times in the past, and I will definitely visit them again in the future.  In fact, some of my fondest RMNP memories thus far are from this drainage.  If the trail is broken for you as it was for us, it should remain not that much more difficult than it is in the summer.  This is truly a wondrous place, and somewhere awesome and awe inspiring to visit any time of the year.
Finch and Pear Lakes in the winter via Allenspark TH:
Finch Lake: 4 miles one way, 977 foot gain. Moderate.
Pear Lake: 6 miles one way, 1647 foot gain.  Moderate +.