Our original plan for today was to head on over Baxter Pass and explore the Book Cliffs. However, with all the rain we have been getting lately, the Uncompahgre trails were very muddy when I was up there yesterday and I'm sure the Book Cliffs would be the same. Plus, the Baxter Pass trail has some really nasty mud when it gets wet, so we decided to hold off on that one and wait until it dries out.

Since we are planning on heading to the San Juans next weekend, we decided to head over to the Elk Mountains for a day trip. Schofield Pass was still closed by snow so we ended up taking the road to Crystal and then looping back through Lead King Basin.

On to the photos!

Lizard Lake


Lost Horse Mill






Headed into Lead King Basin

 

Lead King Basin










It was a nice day, and we did not run into too much traffic. Certainly less than when we went to the San Juan Mountains last Independence Day.

 

Looked like a good time. What a place just to go check out. I may need to do that. Nice pics.

 

Awesome shots Randy!! Man, I'm ready to get out!!

 

Great pics of some beautiful country.

 

nice pics intrepid

 

thats a bummer Schofield Pass was closed, thats a good run.

 

It's rarely open this time of year. It gets a lot of snow, and is shaded from the sun in a lot of areas, so it takes a little longer, as does Pearl Pass. It's a bummer, because that is some of the most beautiful country in the state!!

 

Yep, I wasn't expecting Schofield to be open.....was hoping I'd get lucky, but didn't plan on it...so i wasn't disappointed. I can always head back later this summer when it's open