Forest Lakes Trail

A long weekend just begs to have a hike squeezed into it. So that's exactly what Ginny and I did on Friday. I felt the need for a little distance and a little elevation gain, so the Forest Lakes Trail filled the bill nicely.

The lower parts of the trail were just bursting with color, like these Columbine and Golden Banner.

The water was flowing fast as well, turning every creek crossing into a photo op.

Seriously.  Every single crossing.  Even better, the overcast conditions made it easier to keep the shutter open longer without risking overexposure and get more of that nice lacy effect.

Ginny considered foregoing the bridge and forging through the water itself at this one.  Well, considered it for all of two steps.

I wonder when water flowing down a steep slope technically turns into a waterfall.  Whatever the exact requirements, I believe this section between the two Forest Lakes probably meets them.

One of my cardinal rules of hiking -- whenever there's an upper lake and a lower lake, don't be satisfied with stopping at the lower one.  No matter how tired you are, the push to the upper one will always be worth the extra effort.  Forest Lakes are no exception.  I love the little rock island with the lone tree growing out of it.

Don't get me wrong; the lower lake was certainly picturesque in its own right.  Even with a drop of rain on the filter.  It occurred to me as I was home reviewing the pics that it might have made for a dramatic image to let a lot of drops accumulate.  I'll try to keep that in mind for the next time I'm in rainy conditions.

The clouds broke on the return trip with about a mile and a half to go.  Just in time to light up the wildflowers again.

The 1.25 miles to the split between the Forest Lakes and Crater Lakes Trail is worth doing this time of year, especially if you've got flatlanders visiting.  Just a touch of up-and-down to get them the heart pumping, an old abandoned cabin, South Boulder Creek running along the trail most of the way and meadows filled with wildflowers.

Last August Ginny and I made it to Crater Lakes and back in about four hours.  It took us nearly 5 1/2 for Forest Lakes, which is roughly the same distance but actually less elevation gain.  I really hope it was because of all the stops setting up the tripod to shoot running water and not because I'm in worse shape!