Home is where we Roam: October 2015

The Missouri Lakes and Pass Hike, Redcliff, Colorado

Lately my husband and I have kind of got addicted to treks. Whenever we plan to visit any place we first look up for the trekking locations around it. We had waited for almost a year to visit Aspen just because we wanted to visit the place in the fall to get a glimpse of the much talked about “Aspen fall colors”. The drive to Aspen takes approximately 3 hours from Denver and we wanted to be at Maroon bells at the sunrise. So it was imperative that we leave Denver the day before, stay at some place at night so that we can wake up early morning to visit Maroon bells.

The falls is said to be an offseason at Aspen but when I looked up for the motels and hotels for the night stay I realized that no season is an off season at Aspen. The accommodation prices at Aspen were very high. So I decided to look for accommodation at some place at an hours distance from Aspen. I found that Twin Lakes at Leadville, Colorado is good place to visit in Colorado and Leadville was at an hour drive away from Aspen. So this was the perfect place for stay as the motels were also available at a reasonable price. Since we would have an entire day at Leadville, I thought to look up for some place where we can go hiking and zeroed on the Missouri lakes and Pass hike. I do not know what made me decide to go on this trail but ever since I have been here, I thank myself every day for choosing this.

This place is not only difficult to find but also difficult to reach. There is 10 mile dirt road up to the trail head which takes a huge toll on your car. It is advisable that you venture to this unknown territory only which a SUV which has a 4x4 drive. When you drive up this dirt road you will be amidst White river national forest’s Holy Cross wilderness territory. While driving up, there will be many points where you would want to take a U turn and go back but I would strictly suggest not to. Always remember that the most beautiful places on earth are the most difficult to reach. The nature preserves them for a reason and you need a heart to explore them. I was waiting desperately to start the trek. There are 2 trail heads that start from this point: The Missouri lakes and Pass trail head and the Fairy Lake trail head. You can actually start on one of them and exit on the other by completing the entire loop but that would require you to do backcountry backpacking in the mountains and complete the loop in 2 days. Since we only had one day we decided to do the Missouri Lakes and Pass trail and come back. This is a complete backcountry trekking on a non-maintained trail. Of course, this is not for the people with weak hearts or low physical fitness. Among all the treks that I have done so far this trek was by far the best and the most difficult too.

To be in the wilderness takes you to a completely different world. The smell of the wood, the crackling of the leaves under your foot, the anxiety of losing the way or going the wrong way, the sound of the rumbling streams and the ecstasy of the breathtaking views on the way. It was so silent everywhere that I did not want to speak and break the serenity. The falls colors were dancing all around. The cold winds on our face and the flakey snow of the top of the mountain peaks were embracing the oncoming winters. I was dead tired, I was breathless and yet I was feeling so complete. I was feeling so happy, so ecstatic. My 3 months old puppy (Doga) was also with me on this track. This was his first ever trek and he completely nailed it. This trekking experience would always hold a very special place in my memories.

I would say this is a must do trail for all the insane nature lovers.

Trek Information:

Trail length: 3.5 miles (7 miles round trip) up to the last lake. 4.4 miles (8.8 miles round trip) up to the Missouri pass.

Difficulty level: Moderate to very difficult

Pets: Allowed

Fishing: Allowed

Campfires: Not allowed

Direction: (on navigation device you can search for “Missouri Lakes, Redcliff”)

Travel west on I-70 to Exit #171 for Minturn, Leadville, and Hwy 24. Exit here and turn right onto Hwy 24. Proceed south for 13 miles to Homes take Road #703 (road in very bad condition). Turn right and proceed past the Gold Park Campground to mile 8.5. Turn right onto Missouri Creek Road #704. Turn right and continue 3 miles on this dirt road to a T at 10,200 ft. turn left and trailhead will be on the right.

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