Horn Lakes

Christy Mahon above Horn Lake — Above Horn Lakes in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Our attempt to explore all the valleys and peaks of the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains continues. The past weekend we made our way up Horn Creek to Horn Lakes, which is in the valley below Mount Adams, a Centennial 13er, and the lesser Little Horn Peak.

Horn Creek is accessed from the east side, not far from the town of Westcliffe. After a drive from Aspen the afternoon before, we opted to setup for the night at nearby Alvarado Campground. Early the next morning we made the short drive to the nearby Horn Creek Trailhead.

The map of Horn Creek and Horn Lakes. Click to enlarge.

The hike up the Horn Creek Trail is quite pleasant. It’s never too steep, and it’s only about five miles to reach the lakes. The head of the valley is pretty flat, and there are a whole series of small ponds scattered around. If you go all the way up the valley towards the slopes of Mount Adams you’ll eventually reach the largest of the Horn Lakes.

There’s also a smaller lake that sits at treeline below the south side of Little Horn Peak. That’s where we decided to camp.

Hiking grassy slopes to Little Horn Peak — Hiking up grassy slopes to the 13,143 foot summit of Little Horn Peak.

Little Horn Peak was one of the remaining 13ers in the area we still hadn’t summited. The weather forecast was favorable so we packed a few things and began up the grassy south slopes to top of this minor 13er.

It was nice to get up on the summit. In 2014 we tried to ascend from the north, from the Dry Lakes Valley (link here), but turned back because it was unpleasant loose rock and scree. The grass and flower filled south side, which we ascended this time, was a much better experience. It was with the wait.

Ted Mahon on the summit of Little Horn Peak — On the summit of Little Horn.

Christy mahon by Horn lake — The afternoon rain arrived much as it had all week. It was really nice to get a break from wildfire smoke and high temps.

We headed back down to camp as some rain showers came through. When we got back to the tent we had discovered that a marmot had chewed a hole in our tent as well as some of our stuff! Funny that it seemed to be interested in the toothpaste?

marmot chewed up my stuff — The marmot was after toothpaste?

Christy Mahon at camp at Horn Lake — Drying things out, relaxing at camp.

Camping near Horn Lake — We love our evening lake hangout time.

After some chill time at the lake and then dinner, we were in for the night. If there’s one good thing about campfire bans during droughts, it’s that you go to bed early!

Coffee hour at camp — Good morning! Who’s on coffee?

The next morning after coffee, we ascended Mount Adams by its long Northeast Ridge. The ridge was really fun at times, and we reached the summit, on the Fourth of July, and we had it all to ourselves!

Christy Mahon on Mount Adams — Ascending the northeast ridge of Mount Adams. Little Horn is one of the peaks out in the distance.

Ted Mahon on the summit of Mount Adams — Looking out at Challenger, Kit Carson, Columbia and the Crestone Peak.

The last time we were on Mount Adams was in 2014 during our Centennial Ski Project. It was fun to think back on those days.

Christy Mahon on the summit of Mount Adams — A summit all to ourselves, so nice.

Ted and Christy Mahon on Mount Adams — Happy 4th!

After an extended summit hang-out, we headed back down to camp, packed up, and made our way back to the trailhead. Two summits, no people… apart from the marmot incident, it was an incredible trip.