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Epic hike to do in one day. Come prepared and fit. We started just after 4am to be safe with the chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
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This hike was a true bucket list item. The difficulty rating is for the steepness to the summit and the Rocky descent on aspen side. It was totally doable. The wildflowers on cb side were amazing. That’s the more beautiful side in my opinion but the aspen side had amazing views.
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This is a tough but very rewarding hike. Typical of most long hikes in the area, lots of large rocks to negotiate. Start early as afternoon heat and thunderstorms can taint an otherwise incredible hike. Mid July wildflowers up over our heads in valley on Crested Butte side of pass.
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This was the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done. The peak is strenuous (and windy), but has a very clearly marked trail the entire way. Tons of creeks and even more flowers!
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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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