Ice Lake Basin

Summer camp is drawing to a close.  Which means that we have no childcare for the next three weeks.  So BZ and I took advantage of our last full day of freedom and celebrated with a long hike to Ice Lake Basin, near Silverton, CO.

 The going up was steep.  Really steep.  And there was a lot of altitude gain.  Close to 2000 feet so we were huffing and puffing a bit.  And then we passed like five 75 year old women and I thought, buck up dude, you can do this!!

The first part of the hike was through dense forest. 

The weather was just perfect.  It misted on us a bit on the way up the first part and then the dark clouds moved away and we had nothing but beautiful blue skies with a high in the upper 60's.  Spectacular hiking weather!

The wildflowers were also going off.  So it was extra beautiful.

 

The second part of the hike was on exposed rock as we continued on our trek.

 

a little family shot

We finally made it to Ice Lake!  And it was breathtaking.  

It struck me as funny because we think traveling to far and distance lands will get us crystal blue water but really, you just have to drive to Silverton.

 

OF COURSE, BZ decided he need to take a little dip the second we got there.  And OF COURSE, the water was freak'n freezing.  There was some thrashing about and screaming as the cold sat in.  

hehehehehe

one of my most favorite hikes ever!

another little lake just a bit higher

And finally it was time to head back down and pick up the kiddos at Summer Camp.

 

To give you perspective, the lake about a third of the way down the picture was the first "flat part" after we had hiked the steep forest area.  Then there was another climb from the lake in this picture to Ice Lake.  It was a good size hike but so so fun!

 

Thank you Ice Lake, I hope we can come back to visit you again!