Not quite as nice as the four pass loop, but it’s equally challenging. I went counter clockwise camping at avalanche lake, GenevaLake and just over the creek at the lowest point before going over the Haystack Mountain pass. Note that after going over that pass, the NatGeo map becomes useless at some point. The map no longer follows the trail. I would have wasted a lot of time if I didn’t have GaiaGPS with me. As it was I lost a few hours bushwhacking and never found the return trail I wanted to follow. Ended up backtracking on the Ditch Trail I started out on.
Beware to not leave your shoes outside the vestibule at night like I did my last night. Some critter stole a shoe leaving me to hike 12 miles the next day with only one.
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Great time of year, some snow on sections, watch your step. Wear good Shores, easy hooker.
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Park at capitol lake trailhead unless you have a very high clearance vehicle. It is possible to drive up to hell roaring trailhead, but tough terrain. Steep sections on and off throughout the hike. Gorgeous stands of aspen and conifer forests. Normally a couple of spectacular view points, but this day was socked in with smoke from wildfires.
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Unbelievably amazing wildflowers and views on this hike. We took our dogs and they had This hike is an absolute blast! Flowers are amazing and diverse. Do bring water shoes as there was one crossing where we had to walk through the water. Might also want to pack a small towel to dry off your feet. Towards the end of the trail there is a very cool, old, abandoned mining station with some rusted equipment. Would hike again!
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