Trail Thursday: Mosquito Lake

On Sunday Stella and I ventured out to Mosquito Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness. It seemed like the perfect Sunday morning day-hike. It's around a 2.25 mile hike (one-way) to the lake, but parking for the trailhead shares the same as several other popular trails (including Devil's Causeway and Flat Top Mountain), so it can seem busier at the start than it actually will be. I had anticipated the lake to be somewhat busy (we got to the trailhead around 9:30), but I was surprised with how quiet it was! 

The hike shares the same trail as #1119 (Devil's Causeway) for the first 0.8 miles along the coast of Stillwater Reservoir, so that is where we met the majority of the traffic (only 2 other sets of hikers). Once we split off to trail #1120 Bear River (that leads to Mosquito Lake), it was quaint and quite. The hike is an extremely gentle climb, but there are 3 water crossings that you will need to do. There are either rocks or logs to help guide you across (or get your feet wet, which is what I normally do), but otherwise it's perfect for anyone. I think this would also be a really great hike for those family members that you have visiting from out of town because it is relatively short and scenic. 

We got to the lake in a little under an hour (and that included stopping at all three of the water crossings for Stella to get a drink) and really taking our time. I think this would also be a great trail to run on as well! We were the ONLY ONES at the lake and I really wished that we could have stayed there all day. Mosquito Lake is on the smaller-side, but nonetheless stunning with the surrounding mountain peaks.

There is also plenty of spots along the trail and within a 1/4 mile of the lake to pitch a tent to backpack if you want to spend the night there. Once Stella and I had a snack (Honey Stinger Chews and a Luna Bar), we reluctantly headed back to the car. Since it is a gentle hike, it took us the same amount of time to hike out as it did to hike in. 

Suns out, Tongues out

I really loved this hike and thought that it was the perfect *gentle* Sunday morning hike that I was looking for. I HIGHLY recommend it! Plus, the wildflowers were in full bloom while we were out there which made it even better :) There has yet to be a hike in the Flat Tops that I haven't loved. 

Ever visited the Flat Tops Wilderness?

Favorite distance for a day hike? --> I like to keep it somewhere between 4-6 miles total. 

TravelThursday IS BACK!..with a REMIX...

I'm switching it up this month and doing Trail Thursday because really love looking back on my past adventures (and trying to conjure up new ideas)! So today, we're journeying out to the Flat Tops Wilderness (about 30 minutes south of Steamboat Springs) to Black Mandall Lakes!

We did this hike as a backpacking trip over Labor Day and maybe only saw 2 or 3 other groups of hikers the entire time. I think it around a 4 or 5 miles roundtrip hike (possibly more- it's been a few years) and really pretty gentle hike overall. The lake at the end is so stunning. When we went, the trails were pretty muddy and difficult to follow (at times), so definitely remember to bring a map! We also hiked to Mandall Pass on the way out the next day and that brought us amazing views (but also not well marked, so a map is a MUST). 

Anywhere we've ever gone in the Flat Tops has been amazing and I can't wait to explore more of the ample trails they have there this coming summer. I want to do more hiking and backpacking trips and possibly cut-back on running a touch (I most certainly cannot do it all). Already so excited for camping season to begin! 

What are you most looking forward to this Spring/Summer?

Favorite Spring activity?

Favorite Winter activity?

Mountain Monday- Flat Top Mountain & Hooper Lake

Happy Monday! Yesterday it was just Stella and I (Alex was working at an outdoor show in Telluride since Thursday) and we had a craving to drive up to the mountains to go for a hike and check out all the Fall colors, so we headed up to the Flat Tops Wilderness (about 30 minutes away). It's gotten SUPER chilly over the past few days and dips into the low 30's at night. We also got our first snowfall in the higher elevations (above 10,000') on Friday and Saturday! This hike did bring us up above 10,000' and we did get to see some snow! Stella was really excited and loves snow. I don't think she'd do too well if we moved to the beach....oh well. I guess we'll save that for another life!

This hike brings you to either up to the top of Flat Top Mountain or to Hooper/ Kenner Lakes and over the saddle of Flat Top Mountain. Our goal was to get to the lakes, but we only made it to the first one (Hooper) before deciding that it was getting a bit late and the clouds were not looking too happy (so we turned around after that). You gain over 1,500' of elevation over the 2.5 miles to the lake and it was definitely tough! We met a few hikers along the way, including two gentlemen who said they lost their dog up there last weekend and said that he is wearing a collar if we find him. It always makes me really sad when I hear of someone loosing an animal (especially in the wilderness) because I could never imagine how terrible that must be! We never saw his dog, but I kept thinking of him the entire hike (and also kept Stella on a leash because well... just in case).

We came across a few ponds on our hike (which Stella loves to wade in) and finally made it up to the saddle and the views were incredible. It really is so beautiful out there and we came across many snow spots! There was even a snow ridgeline on the top of one of the mountains that I think is still from last winter (it must never melt). We also came across two backpackers who said that they got caught in a pretty bad snowstorm Friday evening and even had some snow showers this morning! 

After we took in the views (around 2 miles in), we headed down the ridgeline (on the other side) in search of the lakes. Unfortunately, there was a sign missing so the trails to get to the two lakes wasn't well marked (another reason why we decided to turn back after finding the first lake). I think that it's much more common to come across trails that are more remote here in the rockies as opposed to hiking trails back in the White Mountains of NH (they're very well marked/traveled). 

We left the lake and stopped at the top of the ridgeline to eat lunch and rest for a bit (around 4 miles in). It began to SNOW, so that was our cue to head down from the higher elevation. When we started to hike back down from the saddle, the trail began to get covered with snow and we couldn't see the footprints well enough to follow the trail and ended up bushwacking a small section! It was really scary and I honestly could see how some hikers can get lost when snowstorms come along on remote trails. Luckily, we saw the trail down below and just took a diagonal path (and honestly maybe a shortcut) to get back on it! Phew! That was pretty intense and shortly thereafter the snow stopped and we hiked back down to the car. 

This hike was SO beautiful and it was just under 6 miles for us roundtrip (but we only went to the first lake and definitely took a shortcut on our way back down). I highly recommend doing this and bring some friends (and a map)! You generally have pretty poor service for most of the hike (until you get to the saddle), so keep that in mind and have a plan b if you do get lost or stuck in a snowstorm. Hopefully the weather will get warmer because I'm not ready to go straight from summer to winter just yet!

Did you do any adventures this weekend?

Any fun runs or races that you did?!

Last hiking trip- good or bad experience? Have you ever gotten lost?