Linkins Lake Trail Hike

Beautiful day yesterday, hiking in the mountains near Independence Pass.  Surrounded by a couple of 14teeners, and a spattering of 13teeners, I kept waiting for Julia Andrews to come running by us, singing The Sound of Music.  Stunning.  The hike we did, called the Linkins Lake Trail, was a short one, 6/10 of a mile one way, but rated moderate because of the altitude you begin at (11,585) and at lake level you are t 12,075.  Beautiful alpine lake.  Not a glacier lake (not aqua blue) but still very pretty.

Drive up to Independence Pass on Route 82

Got to get up and over that mountain then down to trailhead right below

The hike was steep, had a number of switch backs to maneuver, and the pathway was a bit dicy in spots, but nothing we have not experienced before.  We took our time, ogled at all the wildflowers, especially the Blue Columbine, stared for long periods of time at the 2 waterfalls in front of us and kept on moving up the path.

Parked, staring up the trail (to left) runoff from snowmelt on right

See hiker on left, that's the trail we follow for a tidge

The bank of snow upper left/center - that's where the lake is

Looking up the valley to Geissler Mountain (a 13 teener)

We passed folks coming down and they said to keep going, well worth the effort.  And an adorable family with toddlers, one of them not even 3, telling us all about the lake, jabbering away.

Waterfall from Linklin Lake, center upper, where snow mass is

We thought we would pass under the waterfalls and in the end, we were on top of them, switchbacks took us to the right of the falls, we could hear them, not see them once we got above them.

Beautiful blue columbines

Path got kinda dicy, almost above waterfalls

After the hike we were 20 miles from Aspen so drove there.  My goodness, that road is very narrow in spots.  When we got into Aspen, we quickly turned around and headed back.  So so many people.  Town was swamped.  Not my idea of fun.

Finally see the lake

Mom and daughter plus dog enjoying the lake - yes, the girl is in the
FREEZING water!

Very deep lake, said good fishing in this one

On our way back down trail, lots of switchbacks

Second waterfall from Linkins Lake

We drove through the White Mountains National Forest on the way to Aspen, the Roaring Fork River which is the second largest tributary of the Colorado, rushing by us.  Colorado is a beautiful state!

Famous Aspen ski slopes, lots of people

Very narrow road but stunning scenery

Stopped at Independence Pass to look at the interpretive signs, did a quick hike around the rest area and then headed back.