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rogeremeadows 
Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: Oct. 2010
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Posted on: Sep. 16 2012, 8:35 am |
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Just returned from a solo of the Maroon Bells 4 pass, clockwise. Was an amazing 4 days! Very dry it appeared there...Crystal River crossing was a rock hop across. Did not have to pull off the boots for any water crossing.
No bear issues at all. A few reports of one in Fravert Basin but I didnt see any. Despite some compromised bear protocol by other campers nearby me...no issues.
Saw bear poo in several spots along the way but no tracks at all on the trail.
The aspen were not at their peak but were getting close.
The most amazing part of the trip was Snowmass Lake. I could have spent two days there. Wished I had brought my fly rod. Trout were biting.
Not sure the low temp but frost on the tent two nights. Daytime temps allowed for shorts. A 15 deg bag was more than plenty during the night. Rained all night the first night but was dry the rest of the trip.
Elk were bugling all night long at the Crystal River Campground. Coyotes all night long at the Snowmass Lake.
Two things I would change on the next trip. First.... is to bring more calories. The passes were more difficult than I had imagined and really burned the calories. Learned not to compromised on calories when trying to reduce pack weight. Secondly, the mountain air is so dry relative to my stomping grounds. My Osprey pack is not set up to easily obtain water.....caught myself not hydrating properly...not wanting to remove my pack. Need to work on this item.
I took many photos along the trail. If you would like to view them, I inserted them into a youtube video.
Here is the link....enjoy!!
http://youtu.be/hCFIaJJX1E4
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| Post Number: 2
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hikerjer
Group: Members
Posts: 9144
Joined: Apr. 2002
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Posted on: Sep. 16 2012, 1:39 pm |
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The Maroon Bells have to be some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, if not the world. Just beautiful down there. I've only day hiked the area but would love to do the Four Pass route. Glad you had a great time.
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"Too often I have met men who boast only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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| Post Number: 3
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buddero
Group: Members
Posts: 777
Joined: Jan. 2009
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Posted on: Sep. 16 2012, 5:01 pm |
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If someone wanted to know exactly what the Four Pass Loop is like at this time of year (in a dry year), they couldn't do better than to watch your Youtube photos. Good work. It is a hard hike and worth it, I'm sure all would agree. That basin with the tarns and little granite domes below Trail Rider Pass was a magical place to me. Thanks
Those are some classic Maroon Bells photos at the end. One of them needs to be on a wall somewhere. "Yep, well, I walked around behind those mountains and on out."
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Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Journal and links to refugees, backpacking, travel in Asia, photos, honky-tonk angels, other beautiful things...
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John
Group: Members
Posts: 813
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Sep. 16 2012, 11:25 pm |
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What do you mean your pack wasn't set up easily to obtain water? Are you talking about the inside hydration sleeve?
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| Post Number: 5
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rogeremeadows
Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: Oct. 2010
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Posted on: Sep. 17 2012, 10:22 pm |
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i do use a cambelbak bladder on my hot area hikes but chose to carry liter water bottles in the side sleeves on the Osprey for this hike. Impossible for me to reach without removing my pack.
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| Post Number: 6
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| Post Number: 7
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Canyonlands
Group: Members
Posts: 200
Joined: Jun. 2002
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Posted on: Sep. 19 2012, 4:47 pm |
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Nice timing on this trip for you. I've been waiting for 3 straight cloud-free days to do this same route and they finally hit this week. Too bad the skies filled with smoke. I scratched it and I'm in a holding pattern again. The weather is always the big question so congrats on hitting that window.
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Edge of the Holy Cross Wilderness - Colorado
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| Post Number: 8
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NCThiker
Bowmen Lake MNF
Group: Members
Posts: 1400
Joined: Oct. 2004
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Posted on: Sep. 22 2012, 11:08 am |
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Nice report and video Roger, we were out there and did the "Loop" Sept.2nd-6th
[IMG]http://thumb13.webshots.net/t....MG]
I would like to do the loop again but would like to go when the wildflowers are in bloom, maybe the 1st or 2nd week of August. Be nice to see and cross the creeks and rivers at a higher flow rate too. I really liked Fravert Basin and Snowmass Lake. The entire loop has beautiful, ever changing scenery though, and should be on every backpackers list.
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| Post Number: 9
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tarpon6
Group: Members
Posts: 131
Joined: Feb. 2011
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Posted on: Sep. 22 2012, 8:13 pm |
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You should have the next to last photo enlarged and put on a wall. Stunning. Thank you for putting that together.
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| Post Number: 10
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Kayman
Group: Members
Posts: 309
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Sep. 27 2012, 2:27 pm |
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Nice video on your hike. Spectacular pics!
We did this hike in August 2011 and it was nice to relive it through your video.
Good to see what Trailrider Pass looks like with blue skies. When we did it, it was raining sideways with hail mixed in. Coming down from the pass was like walking in a creek.
I hope you enjoyed the hike as much as we did.
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