This was one of those days where I really wondered if it was worth it. Why was I torturing myself with exhaustion, gaining 100s of feet in altitude with each step, while cold rain hit my skin, and fierce wind whipped against my body. After checking my map every 3 minutes, and watching the miles slowly add up, I wondered if I would even make it to the stupid lake.
The alpine lakes have been on my bucket list for sometime now, and if you’re in the Colorado hiking scene, you’ve probably heard of the stunning Ice and Island Lakes. This hike is based out of Silverton and is supposed to offer stunning turquoise water views, filled with wildflowers, and lush green rolling hills. This past weekend, I was staying in Ouray, a town right by Silverton, and was itching to do this hike. With some research, I realized just how popular these hikes were. Members of Facebooks groups warned me that to get a parking spot, I would have to be there by 4 AM. Crowded hikes are never my thing, and I would much rather do an alternative, if the option is there. I started researching and found Columbine Lake, a similar hike nearby that also led to an incredible alpine lake, but was rated as seriously difficult.
Columbine Lake is almost known as the sister hike to Ice Lakes, and is significantly less popular, so of course I was interested. From the Alltrails reviews, this hike is much harder but more isolated and offers equally of stunning views. So I convinced my brother, and after a night of drinking with our parents we set our alarm for 6. I could barely sleep as I continued checking the weather and rain and thunder storms were on the radar for the entire day. At around 6, I stumbled to wake my brother up, and hesitantly got ready. The thought of being stuck on a steep uncovered hike in the middle of thunderstorms sounded less than ideal, but I continued to try to think positive thoughts.
While driving on the million dollar highway, the rain got heavier, and my heart sank. I didn’t want us to be in a dangerous situation, but also didn’t want to miss the hike. After getting lost a couple of times, we decided to park by the bridge and walk the extra .8 miles to the trailhead. For anyone interested in this hike, there is a 4WD road to the trail head, but it’s so narrow, I wouldn’t risk not getting a spot (not to mention it seemed like max 3 cars could park there). Also, the trail is not well marked, there was a stack of rocks and the steepest looking path I had ever seen.
My brother suggested that this narrow and extremely uphill path was the start of the trail. I didn’t want it to be true, seeing the steepness just of the first step, but I tightened the grip on my hiking poles and started up. The first portion of the hike is never ending switchbacks, and the incline is no joke. We found ourselves stopping much more than usual hikes and the frozen rain hit us in the face with each step. We tried remembering if reviewers had said the first 2 miles were hard or if it was the first three, and did that include the walk from the parking lot? Hungover and ill prepared we finally made it out of the tree clearing, hoping it would mean a flatter path.
Once out of the trees, we were in a gorgeous meadow, and the stormy clouds surrounded us creating a moody landscape of fog and shadowed mountains. Our hunger became apparent and the rain continued to hit us while the elevation took our breathe. We stopped for a moment to eat some soggy sandwiches and realized the coldness as we stopped moving our bodies. With wobbly legs, we looked up at the impending mountains, wondering where the trail was headed. Step by step, .1 mile by .1 mile we got to the point where we could see the ridge. With extreme excitement, I got a second wind and almost started running once we hit the flat part.
Along the ridge, intense mountains covered with fog came into view, and some unique dramatic landscapes started appearing. I basically ran to the lake, hopping up and down rocks, jumping over running water, and smiling brightly as the sun began peaking through the mountains. The final stretch, my legs were so sore, but I knew we were just around the corner.
Once the lake came into sight, I felt a numbness come over me from exhaustion, coldness, and excitement. The lake was stunning with crystal blue water transformed into an Ombre turquoise. Not a person was in sight, and we had the entire lake to ourselves. As the sun came in and out of the clouds, the lake’s color intensified. My brother and I watched the glistening water in awe, and felt so accomplished that we had just killed a 3000 foot elevation gain. This 13r was no joke but absolutely worth it. The solitude of the environment, the beauty of Colorado’s colors, and the intense climb that was necessary to get there made it one of those hikes that I’ll remember forever.
Usually with an out and back, I get a little bored, but because on our way down the sun was shining, we experienced a completely different hike. The mountains that had been covered in fog, now showed their true glorious summer colors of hues of blue and green. The trail looked completely different without rain, and I realized the steepness we had just climbed. The switchbacks seemed much longer on the way down, and I was so impressed we had killed it on the way up.
Sometimes a rainy day hike is what you need for a special experience. Because of the conditions early on, the trail was completely empty, something that is pretty rare on a Colorado summer Saturday. The fog and wind created a beautiful lush and moody scene that distracted me from the physical challenge of the hike. The steep climb made the views completely worth it, and the first hours in the rain made the sun that much sweeter. It was one of those hikes where you question everything and wonder why you decided to wake up at 6 to climb to 13,000 feet and where you leave feeling refreshed and invigorated from the high of seeing what your body is capable of and the incredible views mother nature offers us. It was one of those days that I’ll reflect on from 2020 that wasn’t so bad, and leaves me craving another adventure.
Have you ever done Columbine Lakes in Silverton, CO? What did you think? I thought it was spectacular!
Hailee Boyle Social Media Management 