Date: September 6 - 8, 2018
Location: Capitol - Snowmass Loop
Distance: 35 miles
Elevation Change: 11,500 feet up and 11,500 feet back down.
Group: Tyler, Greg, Devin (who had to work and met us at Snowmass Lake) and Mat
Almost a year to the day ago, we explored the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop. That is a famous, fun loop with breath-taking views. But eat your heart out Four Pass Loop, the Capitol - Snowmass Route blows it away. It has more of the good stuff (miles, elevation change, scenery) and less of the bad stuff (lots of people), with just a few manageable deterrents.
We started out at the Maroon/Snowmass Trailhead and worked our way towards Haystack Mountain. This area has cows: stubborn ones that don't want to move out of the way, smelly ones with gastrointestinal issues, and probably a dead one that could be smelled pretty intensely as we crossed West Snowmass Creek. Think what you may about cattle in the mountains, the trail does cross private property (we appreciate the access) and if the cows keep some folks away from this wonderful area - so much the better.
The weather was mostly beautiful, though we did get pounded with a brief but intense rain and hailstorm. There were a couple of lighting strikes close enough to make us jump. Colorado's weather didn't disappoint though, and the sun came back out part way through the 2,200 foot climb to the pass below Capitol Peak.
Capitol Lake
Capitol Peak and the mountains around it are amazing. After this beautiful part of the hike, we dropped down Avalanche/Silver Creek to our destination for the evening. This was one of the prettiest places I have camped at.
Mars and stars
Things took a turn for the worse Friday morning at 2 AM. I got hit with a stomach bug (serves me right for making fun of the cows). That made Friday a tough, but amazing day. We hiked through some blissful scenery and over some big passes, but I could barely keep water in my stomach. Eating just wasn't happening for me - I managed to put down about 850 calories over the course of the 16 miles we traversed that day (i.e., not enough by a long shot). Part way through the morning when I was really lagging, Tyler and Greg took some of my heavier items out of my pack (thanks guys!), and packed them the rest of the day, which made it possible for me to complete the planned portion of the route that day.
Not counting the stomach bug, there were two other deterrents on this leg of the hike: a big stinky heard of sheep around Arkansas Mountain, and about two miles of dirt road to get to the Geneva Lake Trailhead. Not the nicest distractions, but just enough contrast to make the great things on this hike all the better.
After a long day, we reached Snowmass Lake about 8 PM. Saturday morning Tyler, Greg, and Devin got up at 4 AM to climb Snowmass Mountain (adding another 6 miles and 3,000 more feet of up and down to their trip) and I stayed curled up in my sleeping bag. Around 10 AM, we headed back down the (thankfully) all downhill trail back to our vehicles. This route is definitely on the greatest hits list and I'm sure we will be back.
Crossing the log jam to get across Snowmass Creek
