An Unusual Day @ Mohawk Lakes

We knew the weather was going to be iffy even before we started.  It's monsoon season and had been acting like it for the past two weeks.  We decided to give it a go anyhow since if you wait around due to weather in Colorado you'll never get anything done.  Another saying is "wait five minutes and the weather will change.'  We made it down the long, bumpy 4 wheel drive road only to be greeted by the sounds of thunder.  We decided to wait it out in the truck.  The kids hung out in the back, Poppa took a nap (he's like a dog and can sleep anywhere), and then it started to hail.  Luckily, it was only small hail so we didn't get any more dents on my poor red truck!

After 20 minutes or so the hail and rain stopped.  We decided to brave the weather.  There's a nice cabin part of the way up.

The falls are pretty!

Little Red Elephant:

This was the signature J face when she was ready to be done going uphill:

Aster:

Our lunch spot:

Poppa and T went fishing on the far side of the lake...

and caught something!

The clouds were all over the place.

Bistort:

Star Gentian:

Mining hole:

King's Crown:

Indian Paintbrush:

Arctic Gentian:

Sheep fur:

One minute it was this beautiful:

and then it turned downright ugly.  We decided to high tail it out of there!

Hike: Mohawk Lakes

Trails Used: Mohawk Lake

Distance: 3.28 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Overall average: 1.3 mph
Overall Time: 2 hr, 36 min
Total Ascent: 1228 ft.

One night of camping....is it worth all the effort?

 For me it was since I got to see my moose.  However, it is a lot of work.  We kept it simple with sausage, coleslaw, and beans (I'd already cooked these at home) for dinner that night.

When we pulled in to our campsite (Aspen Campground, Site #3, in Gould Colorado) it was a beautiful sunny day...even a little bit on the hot side since there isn't much shade there.  It's a pretty area with Aspen (not tons) and wildflowers.

 After setting up camp we headed to the Colorado State Forest Visitor Center.  This sculpture is too cool!  It never gets old.  The sculptors did a great job with it.  I think even the kids appreciated it.

 After our hike at Lake Agnes we headed back to camp for snacks and 'special' drinks.  It finally decided to rain so we postponed dinner, hung out in the back of the truck (~20 minutes), and then restocked the fire, started dinner and hung out around the campfire eating s'mores.

 I got up early the next morning and went for a walk with my camera and lo and behold what did I see right outside of our campground?  Another moose!!

 Saw these two deer on the way back just as the sun was coming over the mountains.  Hard not to appreciate being out in the great outdoors when you start your morning like this!

 View of the Colorado State Forest, Nohku Crags, and Lake Agnes area:

Fern and Cub Lakes

The morning of Day 2 we headed out for a hike on the Fern Lake Trail.  The cousins know how to enjoy themselves!

We took a couple of photos as we waited for the bus:

The group starting out:

Break time!

Wild Rose:

Ninebark:

Pin Cherry:

Clematis:

Oregon Grape Holly:

Lots of rocks to climb on and through:

Looking up from 'The Pools'.  We headed to Cub Lake at this point since the troops were getting restless and hungry.

Cub Lake Trail.  This is where the Fern Lake Fire was last year (hence the dead trees).

Lots of uphill to a certain point=lots of complaining.

Our two fearless leaders taking a 'mintspiration' break.  (Life Savers)

Charged back up we start heading down towards Cub Lake and lunchtime!

Almost there!

After lunch...playtime

We get it, we get it....enough hiking already!

View looking back towards Cub Lake Trail:
Golden Banner:

Shooting Star:

Sedum:

Aster:

Recharging w/ watermelon and Cheetos!

How does mommy relax?

Dirty anyone?  (These kids look rough!)

Hike: Fern Lake Pools to Cub Lake

Trails Used:  Fern Lake Trail, Cub Lake Trail

Distance: 6.39 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Overall average: 1.8 mph

Overall Time: 3 hrs, 39 min

Total Ascent: 968 ft.

I did a run each morning.  Even saw a moose the first morning.  There's not a better way to start your morning than that!

Trail Run: Fern Lake Pools

Trails Used:  Fern Lake Trail, Cub Lake Trail

Distance: 6.08 miles

Difficulty: Moderate
Overall average: 6.0 mph
Overall Time: 1 hrs, 00 min
Total Ascent: 398 ft.

I decided to see the Fern Lake Falls since we got so close to them with the kids.  Sure wished I had my camera because the sun was awesome so early in the morning and there was a giant rainbow!

Trail Run: Cub Lake to Fern Lake Falls 

Trails Used:  Cub Lake Trail to Fern Lake Trail and Back

Distance: 8.85 miles

Difficulty: Moderate
Overall average: 4.8 mph
Overall Time: 1 hrs, 49 min
Total Ascent: 1378 ft.