The Four Passes Loop: Day Two
Dawn broke with warmth and clearer skies. Down jackets and porridge. Enough tea to clear the vision and lace the boots. Camp was broken and bags repacked. Achy hips resumed the weight of the packs and strained at the first, hardest, step.
But the trail flowed out and down the valley. The trail bisected the Crystal River at a low and wide crossing. Freshly laced boots were removed and the ice shot through our feet as we tested the balance of our laden bodies. Sitting and retying our boots as the sun moved from behind Maroon Peak to our east: layers readjusted. Jackets off, shorts on. Sun cream applied.
Frigid, icy, gently lapping. It needed to be jumped in, and we obliged with a quick splash. It ended up being a very quick splash, followed by a solar-powered dry on the rocks, and then we saddled up again for the last push towards our second campsite of the trip. It was tempting to stop at the shores of Snowmass Lake and camp there, but with plenty of daylight and a little energy left, we trucked onwards. Around the corner and up valley, directly towards the feet of Maroon Peak. Buckskin Pass was the final hurdle, and we wanted to tackle it as early as possible in the morning.
We crossed Snowmass creek on a sturdy wooden bridge, then coasted along next to a beaver-damed creek. As the valley narrowed, we found a campsite perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the marshy lake and the peaks in the distance. Fire > Food> Tea, a few card games and then we watched as the sun threw its final rays over the mountains. The trout jumped in synchrony in the lake, chasing every bug that got too close.
The Elk picked up their tuned from where they left off last night, and we eventually settled again into our sleeping bags. The clear night lead to a quick temperature drop, and we slept fully clothed.
We crossed Snowmass creek on a sturdy wooden bridge, then coasted along next to a beaver-damed creek. As the valley narrowed, we found a campsite perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the marshy lake and the peaks in the distance. Fire > Food> Tea, a few card games and then we watched as the sun threw its final rays over the mountains. The trout jumped in synchrony in the lake, chasing every bug that got too close.The Elk picked up their tuned from where they left off last night, and we eventually settled again into our sleeping bags. The clear night lead to a quick temperature drop, and we slept fully clothed.