Mica Lake Basin & Medium Agnes Mountain
Panoramic view of Mica Lake Basin. Click image for larger view.
There’s nothing particularly secret about the Zirkel Wilderness. It’s right there on the map, about 20 miles outside of Steamboat Springs with all sorts of well marked trailheads and plenty of incredible destinations. Maybe it’s the lack of 14,000 foot peaks or the longish drive from the Denver metro area that keeps the Zirkel Wilderness a low-traffic area. Whatever the reason, there’s no shortage of beautiful alpine scenery. Even when the popular trailheads seem a bit crowded with vehicles, people tend to disperse nicely. You probably won’t be entirely alone but you likely won’t encounter more than a handful of people on your adventure.
The colorful corridor that starts the Mica Basin Trail in Steamboat Springs.
Mica Lake Basin was on the agenda this October thanks to exquisite camping and dog-friendly trails. Starting from the Slavonia Trailhead, the well-marked trail to Mica Lake is 3.8 miles and 2,000 vertical feet one way – a nice, modest push and very amenable to backpacking. Starting with aspen lined corridors, the trail winds up through willows and several easy river crossings to exceptional camping around 10,428 ft. Mica Lake. Besides the ample camping around the lake, there are several nearby “shelves” of flat land with numerous creeks and water sources for more private camping. Add to that a full forest of blown down, dried deadwood for campfires and you have an ideal backcountry setting.
Fremont must have scared away all the frolicing nymphs in this pool along Mica Creek. The tongue to nose trick is really just showing off.
Willows are just as colorful as aspen!
Some of great camping areas in the Mica Lake Basin.
Once in the basin, summit hikers and technical rock climbers have great options for getting up on the nearby peaks. For example you can climb 11,497 ft. Little Agnes Mountain or 11,233 ft. Little Agnes Mountain (apparently Big Agnes had twins!) The highpoint of the basin is Big Agnes Mountain at 12,059 feet and a fantastic class 2/3 scramble. There are also some sweet, solid unnamed towers and rock walls for technical class 5 climbs and an exciting east ridge sawtooth scramble (class 4 or low 5) to 11,497 ft. Little Agnes.
Mystic on the ascent to Medium Agnes.
Since we were camping with dogs and wanted to them to be part of the adventure, we had to eschew the exposed scrambles of Big Agnes and go for “Medium Agnes” peak, a high point at 12,057 ft. 0.1 miles from the true summit (separated by a deep gully). This off-trail scramble is more dog friendly, though there are few exposed patches near the very top; you may want to avoid these if your dog is a rampant rock climber!
From the summit of Medium Agnes looking down.
The hot tub of the gods. Sort of.
The twin summits of Big Agnes (including the true summit on the left) are tantilizingly close from the top of Medium Agnes.
Sheila and the boys on the ridge back to Mica Lake.
Views from Medium Agnes are astounding. Besides the entire Mica Lake Basin, views to the east of 12,180 ft. Mount Zirkel are fantastic. Great swaths of aspen cut through the landscape, owing to the lower elevation of these quartzite summits. An unnamed high alpine lake just to the northeast of Big Agnes/Medium Agnes is chiseled out of the hard rock, sort of a hot tub of the Gods (you know, if it was hot).
Fremont takes in the views of Mica Lake.
Cool squiggly quartz.
Unlike the higher elevation areas of Colorado, water is abundant in the Zirkel Wilderness which can make it a bit buggy and mushy in the spring. Autumn may be the ideal time to go as the aspen change to fiery orange and bright lemon-yellow. Don’t underestimate the colorful willows that line Mica Creek as well.
Fremont and Mystic take a dip in Mica Lake after the climb!
There’s other fantastic areas to explore in the area including Gilpin Lake, Gold Creek Lake, the abandoned Slavonia Mine and the Mount Zirkel Basin. But for a great weekend outing to peak potential, you really can’t beat Mica Lake Basin. Top it all off with a visit to Strawberry Hot Springs after your hike and you’ll have Colorado mountain bliss written all over your face.
From Sea to Summit
― Siegfried Sassoon
Overlooking the Iceland countryside.
I haven’t had the proper time to digest the most epic travel of my summer. For nearly a month, I explored the forbidden eastern coast of southern Greenland and the borreal landscape of Iceland. The arctic regions relentlessly call and I reserve a large portion of my wanderlust for those far off lands.
High on the "Sailor's Mountain" in Tasiilaq, Greenland.
Saying hi to the native dogs in Tasiilaq, Greenland.
Immediately after returning to the USA, I had time for only a quick weekend into the mountains when everything changed. I left my job of over four years for various reasons, but primarily to refocus on my writing. And more powerfully, my 90 year old grandfather passed away on September 4th.
Deep sangre sunset colors on the way to Willow Lake and the Colorado 14ers Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peaks in the Sangre de Cristos.
So in one moment, I was on top of the high mountains reveling in a summer of wild and wonderful experiences and the next, I’m driving cross country to Connecticut to say good-bye to one of the most influential and beloved people in my life.
Fremont and I enjoy a peaceful moment on the summit of 14,081 ft. Challenger Point.
It was a long and soulful drive, 32 hours each way. On the way out, I was on the way to mourn my Grandfather. On they way back, it was uncertain what I was returning to. And lost in the shuffle are all the emotions, stories and moments along the way.
But slowly things settle if you are still. And it goes against my nature to be still especially when the last few months had the full spectrum of heightened emotions. Who I am today, what lies before me and all the incredible opportunities ahead are coming into focus. There are still bits of a prior self trying to influence the present yet that voice is weak, soft and it is only in silence is it heard at all. Perhaps for the best, because it is clear the motivations and reality of five years ago do not apply to today and can be cheerfully discarded. With just a bit more tranquility, who exactly I’ve become in the wake of great travel and great loss will be more apparent.
Connecticut & Maine Summer 2011
Duckpin madness, Gramp Baggett’s 90th birthday and a few walks on Wells Beach! Enjoy the pics from my east coast visit summer of 2011! Mouse over the right side of the picture to go to the next one.
2010: The Year in Music
There are 525,948 minutes in a year. Trying to compress the sum total of those minutes into a 4 minute and 22 second song wasn’t easy.
In late 2009, I committed to a project that would not only help me rediscover my semi-dormant love of music but also archive the year that was to come in a unique way — I would record the year in music. As a professional writer, the act of writing in a diary or journal wasn’t the right outlet. Words are expressive, passionate and purposeful but the structure of language, for me at least, is always driven by the reality of a captive audience. The same could be said about music I suppose, but for me music has always been a deeply satisfying and personal expression, wonderful to share but equally rewarding for my own singular enjoyment.
I was inspired by several sources, including my friends who continue to create music in the midst of living out the meaningful things in their own lives. I also was able to open my mind to the process thanks to different but related forms of music. The way classical music and (gasp) opera tell a story was a nice shift from the conventional verse/chorus/verse style of pop and rock songs. And it’s a backhanded compliment to myself that I can’t sing so any vocal work is flat out of the question. Some old time country artists ala Chet Atkins also were inspiring — the way he’d write a song about a speeding steam train or a bird in flight was always cool.
Finally, I must admit my biased influence of my favorite band Rush, specifially the song La Villa Stangiato. La Villa (subtitled “An Exercise in Self-Indulgence”) was written in pieces that were created by putting musical movement to guitarist Alex Lifeson’s dreams. I’ve always liked how much emotion is in the song, from goofy cartoon-inspired riffs to moody and deep solos.
With that back story in place, I began to keep a musical journal of the events of the year 2010. Lucky for me, in times of joy or sorrow, I tend to migrate to my instruments and play. I’d record the bits and pieces of moments in time, not particularly concerned if they’d fit together. In this musical scrapbook, I chronicled an array of things that brought me back to my instruments: a good day of snowboarding, the people who brought happiness and sadness, my pets, a beautiful sunset, a traffic ticket, whatever it was that lingered long enough to be outputted through music. Less intentional but worth noting is the bulk of these emotions were recorded on bass guitar.
Finally, having collected a years’ worth of thoughts, experiences and feelings, I sat on the recordings, partially hamstrung by my limited home studio. With a little work and investment, I did get my humble set up running and decided the 2010 song was the first project to complete, before it got too stale and less raw. It’s been interesting to see how the entire thing has come together.
As of this month, all the composition is complete and perhaps the most time consuming part of the entire thing, sequencing drums, is done. When I get a few hours I’ll complete recording the guitar and bass parts, mix it up and it will be done. I don’t expect it change the world, heck if a handful of my friends humor me and give it a listen I’ll be thrilled. But even if it’s only for my own ears, I’ll know every single section of music is a reflection of a real event in my life. The smooth blues, the melodic grooves or the abrupt time changes all echo a story.
For what it’s worth, yes it is cathartic. And there is pleasure in the challenge of eliciting emotional through song, without the blunt and straightforward message words bring. I’ll have the thing done in the next few weeks and will post it on my website. If it’s an accurate representation, maybe it’ll bring you to a glorious mountain top or extract a bittersweet memory.
Or even better, maybe you will find your own story somewhere in the notes.
Borders
You might think my lack of blog productivity means I’ve been slacking in my writing or perhaps deeply engaged in some sweet, sweet video game that has consumed my every waking hour ala Civilization IV. Au contraire, mon frere ou ma soeur! I’ve been wrapping up the last of my essays for my second book so in essence, I’ve been busier than ever. And it’s tough to write good material while trying to conquer those pesky Mongols.
So yes, the second book has a title and it’s beyond mere development. Much like the recent Bin Laden news, you’ll just have to take my word for it. What I can say is there are hints of the writers who most influenced me in the pages: Edward Abbey, Carl Sagan, David Quammen, Richard Dawkins, Neil Peart and Stephen Hawking to name a few. More topically, the overarching theme for the book is the concept of borders.
And yes, I do manage to work border collies into the mix. Continue reading →
Mount Audubon Winter Ascent Trip Report
360° view from the summit of Mount Audubon, January 30, 2011. Click for a larger view (then click again in your browser for full size).
Mount Audubon has a special place in my heart. The modest 13,233 ft. peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness was the first high-altitude winter summit I climbed in Colorado and nearly 12 years later I still enjoy the challenge of getting to the top of this windswept mountain. January stood out as the only month I had never climbed Audubon, so on January 30th I went for the top on an unpredictable winter’s day.
Blue sky and fresh snow make for a lovely Mount Audubon photo!
Every other time I’ve done Audubon in the off-season, I’ve reached the trailhead (3.2 miles one way) by riding my mountain bike. The road is closed from October through May but the wind usually scours the pavement, making it very bike friendly. However, this year the snow has come early and it was time to break out the cross country skis. A little variety is fun, even though I am an abysmal cross-country skier. My skill set includes going uphill and gliding on flats, but I’m not so good at stopping, turning or any downhill that is more than a 2% grade. So if nothing else, the prelude to the hike would be interesting.
The end of the ski and the start of the snowshoeing! Blue Lake trailhead en route to Mount Audubon.
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Leaving the skis behind.
The plan of attack was to ski to the trailhead, switch over to snowshoes and navigate my way to the open tundra above treeline. From there, I’d stash my snowshoes and bundle up for the chilly, windy trip to the top.
It’s amazing to see the hard frozen drifts of snow where the tree line begins to recede. Drifts are tough as hardened glass on top but underneath the snow is as fine as powdered sugar. A few times I did full body post-holes, even with snowshoes, but luckily the snow was mostly sturdy enough to guide me to treeline.
The hard drifts in the low bushes at treeline.
Once on the windswept shoulder of Mount Audubon, it was a pleasant but very cold hike with the occasional icy patch. Amazingly, the chirps of hearty pikas rang out, denoting the presence of some very tough critters that stay atop the high peaks year round. While the pikas continue their activity year-round marmots huddle in the frozen earth, hibernating the winter away. Clouds drifted in and altered the sunlight that bathed the mountain in shades of steel grey and pastel lavender.
Just before the summit dome.
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Approaching the saddle between Mount Audubon and Mount "Notabahn".
The summit itself was astounding; to the west a wall of cloud was slowly building. The winter air was clean and clear (in contrast to the brown smog that hovers on the horizon on most summer days). From the top, one could see Longs Peak to the north, Denver on the plains to the east and south all the way to Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs.
The elusive summit of Mount Audubon! The wind shelters are packed with snow.
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A spot of tea with Longs Peak to my right.
It was too cold to linger at the summit so after a quick spot of tea, I made my way down. The afternoon light during the descent highlighted the sepia shades of dead grass and rock. By the time I finished the 8-mile trip and returned to my skis at the trailhead, twilight was beckoning the brightest stars in the winter sky. I switched out my snowshoes, clicked into my skis and promptly wiped out on a 4-foot hill. With a little practice, I was able to glide out, making for a 14-mile round trip.
Cool light floods the mountains to the north.
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Alpenglow on the Indian Peaks.
It wasn’t an abnormally long day, about 7 hours total, but because the cold had become more penetrating as the day wore on, I was glad to be back to my truck. The last vestiges of daylight darkened as I watched the prominent dome of Audubon fade in my rear view mirror.
Beautiful sunset looking at the Indian Peaks from Brainard Lake at 10,300 ft.
Slice o’ Writing
Here’s a little snippet from my blog over at Elevation Outdoors that I kind of like:
A good mountain high lingers into the real world, temporarily rendering the stressful trappings of the front country to mere weak whispers of doubt. On the last few cranks to the summit of Loveland Pass, my riding partner Kyle and I stood on our pedals and cried out in primal exuberance as we went all out to reach mile 101 at 11,990 ft. Though my throat felt like a balloon knot and my lungs were shrunken and sticky, it was delightful. The sights, sounds and sensations of the day were etched internally, written in that unspoken native language of the heart.
Another 100 miles I’ve traveled across the Earth.
Ute Pass Colorado - Blue River Century 2010.
November Photo Unload
Forgot about some of the pictures from the last few weeks adventures. Here’s some of my favorites!
Fremont and Tillie battle at Long Lake in the Indian Peaks!
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Pavel barely visible through the snow at October's full moon Mount Audubon hike.
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The pink faced, semi-frozen crew on Mount Audubon.
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I'll make mince meat outta ya!!
Long Lake as a freak, sudden cold front and storm moved in.
Mount Audubon about an hour after the previous photo.
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Xanadu and I back in the studio!!
Good Times
Usually it’s far too easy for me to ramble off a zillion thoughts but I actually had a good, social night out so I’m fairly content before heading off to bed. Thanks to good friends, good times and that’s all I have to say about that.
So to quote Brian May “Take care of those you call your own and keep good company.”
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