The Hike/Ski Ratio

Jake Szarzec - 2008-08-23 16:18:51 - 15 comments - Average rating 9.71 of 7 ratings

What’s up everyone, Jake Szarzec here and this update is from a day trip to Indian Peaks, the mountains that comprise Colorado’s central front range. They are located about 40 minutes due west of Boulder, Colorado and they usually hold good snow until mid July. The day started out bright and early leaving Boulder at 6:00 with high hopes to catch the last calendar day of spring skiing (the 21st of June is technically the first day of summer because it is the summer solstice). The day could not have been any better, the weather was clear and I was anxious to get up and go.

This is the view when you drive into Brainard Lake, its an 8 dollar fee, which is kind of a bummer but it gives you access to several trails that go around the Indian Peaks, and in our case prime Colorado corn snow




The peaks in order from right to left: Audobon, Piute, and Toll

This is Mitchell lake where we took a break and enjoyed a nice moment away from the noise of the city



Then we kept hiking


Soon after I had to take another break and adjust my pack. Skis get uncomfortable and heavy hanging from your back, strapped to a pack.

This picture shows mount Toll to the left and our decent rout is the snowfield to the right, which is mount Piute. The lake that is barely visible in the foreground is Blue Lake



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Happy Jake


This is my friend Tobin, fresh out of Flagstaff Arizona, enjoying a fine Colorado day in the high peaks





Being up in the mountains you definitely get a chance to check out some cool wild life, the first picture is a coyote, I think, and the marmot was not afraid of us at all, I think he wanted some food cause he started biting my skis.


Me and expansive mountain terrain


Beginning the long haul upwards



More hiking



The higher you climb the more you can see, over the ridge is the west side of the divide. The cirque (over the ridge) drops down into Crater Lake and it has 2 glaciers that are skiable all summer. I have not yet skied them.

Here are some shots from the top, just above 13, 000 ft.:



The mountains in the background are the Gore Range








This is me (very happy) after carving some turns in prime corn snow. The snow is definitely my 2nd favorite to powder (of course). It also makes for dope park skiing




My line is on the left; Tobin’s is on the right








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This was definitely a memorable trip. Thanks to Tobin for driving, cause I don’t have a car anymore and thanks to my line Chronics, which held up for two seasons and still shred the summer snow. Hiking up in the mountains gives you a sense of appreciation. Great weather, sunny skies, and aesthetic views all come in a package when being out there. Of course the weather tends to drastically change, but it held out for us, making for a great time. Hiking up is indeed hard work, but it is worth it. I felt the feeling of truly being free, leaving the busy city for some solitude and great skiing. 

Average Rating: 9.71 of 7 ratings