Columbine Lake (12,685') via Upper Ophir Pass Road: 7.25 miles, 2,212'

The mountains are calling, the moxies must go!!!! Set your radios on channel 4.1

Calling all Moxies: We enjoyed perfect weather and another GREAT hike up to Columbine lake. It was a beautiful day. The mountainside ground cover is starting to show signs of fall. We did lose a couple people on the narrow scary ridge to the saddle. The only remaining evidence was their hiking sticks.

Do you know who these sticks belonged to?

We experienced a treacherous snow field and we were sad that we didn't have our ice axes, ropes and crampons. But, being Moxies, we proceeded anyway.

Our friends really enjoyed the snowfield.

Nice shot of Penny. She was a great leader. Mary, Barbara and Linda follow close behind. Glenda is in the rear trying not to slide down the snow bank.

Jane Marie encourages Glenda and says "today you are going to mark this trail off your list".

Fall is starting to show its colors.

Hillsides turning yellow and orange.

In true Moxie manner, we hiked up the hillside on the animal trails verses taking the standard trail.

Mary, Barbara, Jane Marie, Bella and Linda at our first snack stop. You can see the saddle we're heading to on our route to Columbine lake in the distance.

Mary taking in the views and getting some shots.

Jane Marie our other great leader heading up the trail to the ridge.

Looking up above the rocky trail to the saddle.

Moxies heading up to the saddle.

Linda and Glenda see the hiking sticks of the missing moxies. They know this is a scary narrow ridge and that they have to be extremely careful. Glenda remarks "one wrong step and we fall all the way to the bottom".

Rugged Beauty

Jane Marie and Bella take in the views.

Columbine Lake is just over the next ridge.

The trail was rocky.

Barbara heading up the rocky trail.

The group decided to let the virgin Columbine Lake hikers, Mary, Linda, Glenda and Barbara lead the way to the overlook of the lake.

Columbine is a beautiful turquoise blue lake.

A walk to remember. (Mary Anne)

We climbed higher to over look an unnamed lake.

The viewpoint from the overlook was incredible.

Heading back to the cars we stop and all ask "Are we almost there yet"?

Thanks again to our fearless drivers and to all for another great day of hiking. We hope the rest of you can join us soon.

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail from Stoney Pass was a great success thanks to our leader Angela and our drivers Angela and Laurie.
It was a GREAT hike as well as an adventure. We experienced wind, snow/hail, sunshine, clouds, warmth/ cold and our layers sometimes were not enough and other times we couldn't wait to remove them. We hiked in snow above our knees and winds of 80 mph coming straight at us…….okay maybe I am exaggerating a bit.
We were all sad to hear that Mary Peil was still not feeling well enough to join us so below we are wishing her a get well soon!

Get Well Soon Mary, We miss you!!!

Trail

Storms Clouds building/Trail

Remaining Wildflowers

The Moxies head out from the Stoney Pass Trailhead.

Mary Anne in action.

Glenda all bundled up.

Moxies on the move. It started out as a beautiful sunny day.

Angela our fearless leader providing guidance.

Up we go….someone stated I thought this trail was flat.

We look like a bunch of smurfs standing on the side of the mountain.

Heading down the trail towards the next ridge.

Stormy clouds moving in.

Angela reads to us from Poe. I can't believe she carried that book the entire 7 miles.

Team huddle to determine if we head for the jeeps due to the stormy looking skies or continue on towards the overlook.

The verdict was mixed so half of the moxies turned around while the others continued up to the overlook. Mary continued on but I think she was second guessing that decision as was I.