Christy, on the final descent from Buckskin Pass.
On Saturday, Christy and I got out on our favorite local linkup of trails and passes, the Four Pass Loop. According to some friends who had been out there earlier in the summer, the lingering snow and high water levels, the theme of summer thus far, had made the trip pretty challenging. But it seems that summer’s persistence has finally won over spring, as we knew it eventually would, and the whole loop is now in pretty good shape. So get out there soon, because it’s already August, and there’s only about 6 good weeks before the snow starts flying up there again.
Just getting going, by Crater Lake, only about 24 miles to go.
The water level isn’t dangerously high anymore, but you’re still going to get your feet wet.
A small amount of snow remains on the Aspen side of West Maroon Pass.
And on the Crested Butte side, it’s more-or-less dry.
This section of Fravert Basin, just before ascending to Trail Rider Pass earned the “going off” award for flowers right now.
The west side of Trail Rider is totally dry. The east side, pictured here above Snowmass Lake, has the most remaining snow on the loop, which isn’t all that much. There were some 20+ backpackers on or near here Saturday, the route is definitely open.
The west side of Buckskin is all clear, but Snowmass Mountain (pictured behind) is still very filled in, and won’t likely melt out this year. That’s a good thing.
And there’s a cornice that’s easily gotten around on the east side of Buckskin, after which it’s just a cruise to the finish, or at least our finish at Maroon Lake.
And right at the end, the highlight of the day. I’ve never seen that before.
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