September 3, 2020

By Tim Briese

7.2 miles, 1700’ elevation gain, 6:30 roundtrip time

I had been to Lily Lake in the Sangre de Cristos twice on previous 13er climbs and noted that it was a beautiful place to come visit with Teresa sometime. It is fun for me too, to return to spectacular places like this to see some of the peaks I have climbed, and shake my head about what I used to do in my younger days.

We drove to Gardner on Highway 69 and turned onto CR/FR 580 and followed the signed road about 22 miles up the Huerfano River Valley all the way to the Lily Lake Trailhead at the end of the road.

on fr 580 driving to the trailhead

There were several parties of hunters camped along the road in the national forest. The last couple of miles of this road require high clearance. At 915 we left the 10,700’ trailhead and embarked on the nice trail that headed south up the valley. We soon reached an expansive open meadow with great views.

the upper huerfano river valley.  blanca peak is to the right.

the iron nipple, in the background left of center

After a mile or so we reached an unsigned junction where the Mt. Lindsey trail headed across the creek and up the slope to the left.

the huerfano river

We continued along the Huerfano River but presently began a relentless climb up the slopes on the west side of the valley. The views of the surrounding peaks were spectacular but pine beetles have claimed many trees since I was here last which dampened the beauty in our eyes somewhat. The drought conditions this year were very evident too in the dry-looking grass and flowers. The trail turned to the west and went past several scenic waterfalls as we continued the climb. The hike seemed more grueling to me today than I recalled it from years ago. The views of Blanca and Ellingwood were spectacular.

teresa on the trail, with blanca peak behind in the center

some of the waterfalls along the way

the trail goes up the slope at the right to the lake in a basin above

Shortly before we reached the lake we saw a few backpackers camped on a large rock slab a few hundred yards to the east, which appeared to be an incredible perch with commanding views of the valley. After climbing a few hundred more feet up a headwall we reached the pristine lake, which lies in a basin at just under 12,400’. We lounged around and relaxed at the lake on this beautiful day for nearly an hour.

teresa relaxing on the shore of the lake, with blanca peak at the right

i have hiked up the talus slope at the right twice, to climb unnamed 13660, in the center, and other peaks, but none of that nonsense today!

At about 130 we packed up and headed back down, pausing to admire and take photos of some of the waterfalls.

mt. lindsey

huerfano peak is to the left, and the iron nipple is to the right

We met a handful of other hikers coming up the trail on our way back.

a parting look up the valley

At 345 we returned to the trailhead and headed for home.