Kroenke Lake Trail, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, CO (and Ptarmigan Lake revisited)

So… I finally made it back up to Ptarmigan Lake last Thursday. I had tried in late May and early June but with all the snow, I kept losing the trail. Teddy didn’t mind tho. He LOVES the snow.

It’s always a beautiful hike to the lake (6.4 miles round trip) but there were thick clouds of flies and mosquitoes this trip (think MILLIONS) and little breeze at the top. I didn’t stay long – just long enough for Teddy to romp in the snow.

Ted isn’t thrilled when other people are on the trail – he’s still pretty timid – so he finds the highest point he can to check the trail in advance. Thanks for the picture Bob.

Sunday, I hiked up to a lake I’ve never been to before: Kroenke Lake. It’s a 8.2 (my GPS said 8.6) mile out and back trail located about 30 minutes from home. There’s about an 1800′ elevation gain but it’s pretty gradual the entire way. There are 2 stream crossings that have logs across for access but watch your step!

I was at the trailhead by 7am and the parking lot was PACKED! There are other trails here including Browns Lake, Mt Harvard and Columbia so even tho there were dozens of cars here, the trail to the lake wasn’t that busy. I was done by 11:30 and I’d only passed a dozen or so people.

Checking out the scenery while I take a break. lol

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