Lily Lake Landslide

Taking my camera out in the mountains does top the list of some of my favorite things...although I suppose I do hold quite a long list.  I was invited to hike Lily Lake this weekend and being free I could not pass up the opportunity.  The weather forecast seemed to hint the temperature would be reasonable, not too cold but perhaps a bit windy (they hit the nail on the head about the wind).  The problem with the hike actually had everything to do with getting to the Lily Lake Trailhead, it's a long road in and we quickly ran into a road block.  We decided to hike up anyway and survey the damage, perhaps a vehicle couldn't get to the destination but we might on foot.  In the end we could not physically get around the landslide due to the amount of snow covering the trees.  Despite hiking exclusively on a road, it was scenic and I think the dogs loved it.  It was also a great scouting opportunity for future hikes as we identified the major peaks and decided that autumn would likely be the best time because the area was engulfed in aspen groves.  Talking to a few locals...it's up in the air if they will actually be able to clear the landslide this summer (due to it being on private land) but it seems to the be the plan.

My absolute favorite part of the weekend was getting back to camp after our unsuccessful attempt and our host saying, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you ladies about the huge landslide.  It was in the news and everything."

Ally the border collie at the start of our hike.

The first great sight of Mount Blanca.  She's one of the several 14'er peaks in the area.

The beginning of the Chica photoshoot.

Chica runs like a bullet.

Ally in her fox-like form.

Chica's serious face.

Blanca 

Ally in a full sprint.

Ally hunting like a fox.

How could anyone say no to this face?

We hit knee and thigh-deep snow a few times walking up the road.

Happening upon the landslide.

Chasing her doggie dreams.

The snow complicated our attempt to climb over the landslide or find an alternative route.

Ansel Adams?

Chica's Christmas card.

I loved the old fence posts along the route.

Ally.  If you click this photo you can make out a heart carved in the tree above her head.

So much beauty.

We found another road to hike to gain more elevation.

Enjoying the views and the wind.

Most of the road wasn't terribly deep snow.

I loved watching Ally run through the woods.

Next up, we're planning to run rim to rim to rim at the Grand Canyon this Thursday.  Our group is planning a very laid back, fun run through the canyon, but I'm certainly counting running across the GC twice in a day as Leadville training.  Make it fun, always.