Our Excursion: 20230916: Colorado Trip Day 7 – Loveland Pass
(Part of trip: 202309: Colorado Trip )
Date of our excursion: 2023-09-16
Location: Loveland Pass, CO
Mileage: 7.43
Our Planned Itinerary:
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Travelers on this Excursion: |
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We hit some cool places.
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Continents: North America |
Some featured areas we visited: |
Some points of interest we hit: |
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Loveland Pass Lakes, West Ridge Trail, Georgetown Lake
We are heading out to Loveland Pass to see the Continental Divide and hike in really high elevation. First, of course, we need some breakfast so head to Parkside Cafe in Evergreen. It’s delicious as usual.
Well, breakfast was worth it, but it did delay our trip a bit so by the time we got to Loveland Pass, the first parking lot was full. and the second parking lot. and the third parking lot. But, around the corner, the 4th parking lot had lots of spaces. AND a nice trail. The trail was fairly easy (except for the lack of oxygen) and we strolled around a few lakes and to a knoll with a great view.
After taking in the view and resting for oxygen, we headed back to the parking lot and up a hill. This may not have been an official trail but it was a faint trail and we had seen people up here. Great views. Then off to the hard hikes! Choices are West Ridge Trail or Mt Sniktau. We decide on West Ridge because it looks easier and we can use this to prep for the big mountain tomorrow. Well, West Ridge was not easy for sure. Parts were easy but there were about 4-5 really steep and strenuous climbs that were made more difficult by the lack of oxygen. The weather was the best we have ever seen up there and the wind was not terribly strong. On some of the climbs, we did have a steady breeze, which was nice because if you inhaled in the wind, it felt like you could force more oxygen into your lungs.
The views at the top were great, but really since we were walking along a ridge, the whole trail had great views. We definitely needed to rest at the top before we headed back down!
After, we headed to Georgetown where we would be staying the night. There was a lake right outside the hotel so we walked around that for more great views. Dinner was at Coopers – very good food!
We saw some tea, cider, and hot chocolate in the hotel, so we helped ourselves and had another relaxing evening drinking hot beverages and planning for tomorrow. We didn’t have a separate relaxing room like we had in Estes Park, but we all found a place to lounge and relax anyway.