IN TO THE WILD - A TOUR OF WILD BASIN LAKES

Hike dates: September 1-3, 2007 Trailhead: Wild Basin, elevation 8,500 feet; Highest elevation on the hike: 12,300 feet Total trip distance: About 24 miles. Weather/trail conditions: Partly to mostly cloudy all three days with some heavy rain. All trails snow-free. Route:

DAY 1 - Hiked from Wild Basin Trailhead to North Saint Vrain backcountry campsite, via the unimproved "campsite trail", then on to Castle Lakes, Lion Lake #1, and Castle Lake. DAY 2 - Hiked from North Saint Vrain backcountry campsite to Thunder Lake, then off-trail to Box, Eagle and Frigid Lakes. From Frigid, hiked over Isolation Pass to Isolation Lake, Pipit Lake, Lark Pond and Bluebird Lake. Joined the Bluebird Lake Trail and hiked back to the campsite. DAY 3 - Hiked from the campsite to the trailhead via Ouzel Falls and Calypso Cascades.

In 1995, in a series of three hikes over five days, I fell in love with Wild Basin. I continued to dive in to this part of RMNP for the next several years leading up to my second ascent of Chiefs Head Peak in 1999. Having visited over 20 of Wild Basin's lakes in that time frame, and covering every foot of trail system (and a lot of feet beyond where the trails faded out), I felt I had experienced the highlights of the area and turned my attention elsewhere. But, I had left one remote part of Wild Basin unexplored for all of these years... DAY 1 Even though I had only done a few hikes on this trail system since 1999, and not visited a new Wild Basin landmark in this decade, I still had a great sense of familiarity as we started up the trail. My old friend Copeland Falls soon greeted us with the always-welcome sounds of cascading water, as the North Saint Vrain River tumbled its way east toward the Plains. Also familiar was the overall namesake sense of wild in this place, and I was excited for more.

Copeland Falls

Copeland Falls, North Saint Vrain River

My hiking companion on this trip was long-time friend and former college roommate Eric Ruethling. Eric has done some hiking in RMNP, but never had the chance to set foot on this trail. We made good time through the first mile of the trail and eventually to the junction of the alternate trail to a group of four campsites, despite heavy packs. At the junction, we headed west on the unimproved campsite trail, up the rocky path. Eric was smitten immediately with this trail's wild appearance and narrow cut through the dense forest. "People think I'm hiking this weekend on some paved bike trail," Eric laughed, "I wish they could see me now."

Unimproved trail to backcountry sites

Along the unimproved trail

The alternating steep and level stretches finally led us to the North Saint Vrain campsite area, our base for the weekend. We dropped the gear, set up the campsite, and set our sights on Lion Lake #1. We wasted no time heading west, both anxious to see more of Wild Basin. Eric was fueled by a chance to see some new lakes, while I was fueled by the thought that it had been twelve long years since my last trip to Lion Lake #1. On the way, we took a slight off-trail detour to find the tiny ponds named Castle Lakes. The tiny ponds were surprisingly permanent, with no obvious water source and appearing as though they could evaporate in to the surrounding meadows. Yet, they had banks and held a decent volume of water, in defiance of the elements and terrain.

Trail toward Lion Lakes

Castle Lakes

Storms threatened on the horizon, but remained at a safe distance for the time being. So, we proceeded toward Lion Lake #1 under mostly sunny skies. After many miles in the trees with limited views of the surrounding peaks, Tanima, Chiefs Head and other Wild Basin peaks slowly came in to view as the terrain leveled and opened up in to meadows.

Tanima Peak from the Lion Lakes Trail

Eric nearing Lion Lake #1

Pilot Mountain and Mount Alice

Wildflowers and Chiefs Head Peak