Once upon a time there was a Moxie named Jane Marie who loved to gather her friends and enemies for exploratory hikes. This date, she asked me and Penny to accompany her on a “short” hike to explore the trail from Porphyry Basin to Columbine Pass. She also wanted to find out if she would be able to drive her jeep up to the end of the road to start the hike as she plans to do this hike with another group next week. This hike started out as many others in the past: laughing, taking photos, taking in the views, discussing routes, ect. After Approx 10.5-11 miles and 8 hours later, we found we had climbed 2984’ and lost an elevation of 3546’ and reached a high point at Columbine Pass of 13,140’. Additionally, we were almost out of water, our food was being rationed and our cell phone batteries were dead. The moral of this story is don't ever leave on a hike with Jane Marie unless you have your sleeping bag, ice axe, crampons, headlamp and helmet. Always keep a car charger with you and never tell your spouse you are going on a short hike or you'll worry them to death. With that being said, It was a long but incredible day with wildflowers, waterfalls, lakes and expansive mountain views. We just didn't anticipate the large snowfields that still covered the main upper route. We hiked the lower route around the ledge to the pass but decided to try to find the route back on the upper trail. That was a mistake as there was just too much snow and too may cliffs. Luckily, Penny had her GPS to keep us on track as Jane Marie wanted us to hike "higher" and I thought we should be hiking down "lower". In a few weeks after all the snow has melted, I highly recommend attempting this hike as it is Colorado at it's finest.

Photo Opportunities started almost immediately. Penny gets the shot of Jane Marie climbing the flower filled hillside.

Jane Marie enjoys the massive field of wildflowers

Penny got a great shot of the beautiful Sky Pilots (photo by Penny Jones)

Our trusted companion: Bella

Jane Marie hiking through the wildflowers. The Sky pilots are so beautiful.

Penny & Julie hiking up the flower filled hillside (Photo by Jane M Johnson)

Old Man of the Mountain and Sky Pilots on ridge

The Kings Crown and pink paintbrush are showing their colors as well.

To our surprise, just over the ridge there was still many snowfields.

Because of the snow, we had to hike the lower route around. This is Penny finding her way through the boulders.

Julie & Penny on the narrow ridge (Photo by Jane M Johnson)

Jane Marie and Bella take in the first views after hiking around the lower ridge

But there is still more snow..Penny & Jane Marie are in waste deep.

Jane Marie and Penny walk through another meadow of wildflowers

Penny and Jane Marie hike straight ahead towards Columbine Pass in the distance.

But we have to climb up a few ridges in order to reach the pass. Penny & Jane Marie head up the steep talus

More Sky Pilots growing in the rock

Jane Marie and Penny continue to climb

Jane Marie and Bella

Our first view of Columbine Lake. This was the view from my snack spot. This was supposed to be a short hike so all I had to eat was Kirkland Peanut Butter Pretzels.

Approaching old sheep herders cabin

Penny in the doorway of old sheepherders cabin

Jane Marie takes a photo through the cabins' doorway

Penny outside the sheepherder cabin door

Jane Marie & Julie at sheepherder cabin (photo by Penny Jones)

Looking through old sheepherder cabin doorway

Jane Marie takes in the view of Columbine lake

The first view of Lewis Lake from Columbine Pass

Still more snowfields to cross before reaching Columbine Pass

Penny crossing upper snowfield near Columbine Pass

Snow Mountain with Candy Tuft flowers in foreground.

Penny overlooking Lewis Lake from Columbine Pass

Lewis Lake

Penny & Jane Marie enjoy the views from Columbine Pass

Columbine Pass Wildflowers

Overlooking Lewis Lake

Wildflowers on Columbine Pass with Lewis Lake below

Julie at Columbine Pass overlooking Lewis Lake Basin (Photo by Penny Jones)

More Sky Pilots and wildflowers in the rocks

Wildflowers on Columbine Pass

Jane Marie and Penny with Columbine Lake in the distance

Julie and Penny with Columbine Lake in the distance (Photo by Jane M Johnson)

Columbine Lake

Penny, Jane Marie and Bella start the hike down from Columbine Pass-Columbine Lake in the distance

Now the real fun! How do we get down and back to the jeep. Jane Marie finds many of her dead ends.

Turtle Rock

The cliffs turn an amazing orange in the sunlight

Penny ponder trail at the cairn that typically shows where the trail descends. The trail is still buried in feet of snow. It's a good thing Penny has her GPS.

We hiked a couple miles or so trying to find a trail back to the jeep. We got cliffed out and snowed out many times. We were cliffed out looking into Silver Cloud Basin.

We hiked by many rocky ledges and promontories

We all remember crossing this location so we are happy to know that we are back on the trail. Penny and Jane Marie pass between the snowfield and rock
