Spectacle Lakes (11,360'), RMNP, Aug 21st, 2011

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Stats: 10 miles RT, ~3000'. 7:25am-1:25am (6hrs).

Tom and I decided our hike destination last minute, and couldn't have choosen better today than Spectacle Lake. The views are astounding, the final mile is challenging, offering an adventurous scramble, and the crowds are minimal.


Longs Peak from the beginning of the trail, to the south (brought the telephoto)...


Ypsilon Lake, 4.2 miles in...


The .8 mile climb from Ypsilon to Spectacle Lakes is ~850', and quite steep, with a faint trail. It's quite gorgeous though, as it climbs along waterfalls, cascades, and wildflowers...




Tom stares at the crux move ahead. We need to climb up the rocks above the falling water. It required a low class 4 move...



The final climb before topping out at the lake...


"Lower" Spectacle Lake!


14er cards makes an appearance at the lake...


14er cards with Longs Peak way off in the distance. We hiked further to reach the "Upper" lake.



Took quite a lot of rock hopping, and bypassing the steep slabs along the lake edge to reach the next lake...


Looking back along the "lower" lake...


A wide viwer showing both lakes. The "upper" lake is 10' higher...


I used my telephoto to capture some coyotes(?) on the opposite side of the lake. It was surprising to see them on the snow, in such a remote place. Then again, maybe that's a good spot for coyotes to escape the crowds...


There were some icebergs in the lake...


After a good 25 minute rest, we returned, and found the crux move to be much easier on the descent, surprisingly (Tom's pictured, lowering himself down...



The trail was rough to follow on the descent, even though we had already been by on the ascent. This pic is taken from a V in the trail, and switchbacking up along cracks in the slabs...


Flowers, in the shade, as dark clouds were forming...



Back at Ypsilon Lake...

We heard thunder ~12:40pm, and it rained briefly ~1pm, shortly before we reached the car. My car battery was dead cause I left the lights on, but fortunately we quickly got a jump from someone in the busy parking lot.

Spectacle Lakes is a top quality lake destination in RMNP. Must be adventurous and capable of a decent scramble. Fortunately, you won't find many people there, so it's a good place to find solitude.


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