Rain Delay

ted mahon, north brush lakes, electric peak

We tried to stay optimistic, but in the end the weather ruled the day.

It’s that time of summer, when the “monsoonal flow” brings regular wet weather to the state. The forecast for last weekend looked less than ideal for any sort of outdoor adventure, but we had made plans to go on a backpacking mission, so we headed out anyway. It’s hard knowing not going, right? The goal was to climb Electric Peak (13,598 ft.), in the Northern Sangres, from North Brush Lakes.

1.0 mi. to go? It depends where you’re going. It was about eight miles total up to the the lakes from the trailhead.

north brush lakes, electric peak, christy mahon, wildflowers

Crazy wildflowers on the trail up to Electric Pass.

As anyone who was out last weekend can attest, the forecasts were accurate and the weather was terrible. We did attempt Electric in the wind and fog, on the off-chance the weather might clear or we might climb up through it, but in the end the wind and rain proved to be too much. We were soaked at 12,500 and had to turn back.

north brush lakes, electric peak, wildflowers

Random wildflower trivia– sunflowers always face east and can be used to orient your general direction.

north brush lakes, electric peak, purple fringe

Purple Fringe and water droplets

It was still a fun outing though. We saw a new group of lakes and camped in another beautiful basin with no one around. North Brush Lakes are worth a visit. Actually, camping in inclement weather can be fun in itself.

electric pass, north brush lakes, electric peak, christy mahon

This post marks Electric Pass and the boundary between National Forests.

north brush lakes, electric peak, chrsty mahon

Electric Peak was about one mile and 1,200 feet up somewhere out in the clouds. Not only did the weather fail to clear, but it started to rain. We turned back.

On the descent we caught a glimpse of the summit, and then it disappeared for the remainder of the day.

There’s a silver lining in turning back. Actually, in our opinion the whole situation is a win-win. It would’ve been great to get the summit, but it’s also nice to look forward to returning to Electric Peak another time. We can use the opportunity to explore a different valley and see something new. I bet it will be pretty fun.

north brush lakes, electric peak, ted mahon

Soaked. The lakes are in view below.

wildflowers, north brush lakes, electric peak

But it was a pretty day for the flowers and a memorable trip to a new place.

Christy

August 3, 2013 at 3:06 PM

Attempt #3 I vote we just ski it!

d'Mouse

August 3, 2013 at 5:29 PM

Gorgeous flower pix, at least the flowers are lovin’ it.

mtnrunner2

August 3, 2013 at 6:20 PM

Yeah, great pictures (as usual). Sometimes “bad” weather is interesting, if frustrating.

This is the same trail I “ran” last time I was down in the Sangres (along with my unsuccessful Needle climb). There were a ton of downed trees on the North Brush Trail, and it seemed as if no living thing other than deer had been on it all season, so it was a lot of hiking versus running. I descended via the road on the north side (331) to avoid all the trees. Much easier.

The trail was interesting though, and the lakes were pretty. I considered one of the peaks like Electric but honestly I was cooked by the time I got to the lakes (and needed to get into town to buy a helmet) so I didn’t even try.

So, I never got high enough to see those flowers. Ah, well. Ah, the Sangres.

ted

August 3, 2013 at 8:10 PM

So the downed trees have been cut and cleared from the trail. It looked like it used to be a complete mess.
We actually started on the Rainbow Trail to the old North Brush TH on the way in (maybe same as you?), and on the way out followed a trail exiting to the roads to the north, maybe that was the 331. Definitely faster.