I've heard the the wildflowers are possibly peaking in the San Juans this week into next, about two weeks earlier than a normal year. I'm curious if anyone has been up to Ice Lakes and can report the wildflower display.
Thanks
Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
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- Kane
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
Not an Ice Lakes observation, but reasonably close by...
Was in the Kilpacker Basin Thurs 7/5.
Around 11K, would estimate the wildflowers were close to peak. At 12,000, there's alot of continuous sharp talus and not such a favorable environment for flowers - so can't compare with the elevation at Ice Lakes (12,200-12,800 ft).
I'd love to see your Ice Lakes wildflower report! :D
Was in the Kilpacker Basin Thurs 7/5.
Around 11K, would estimate the wildflowers were close to peak. At 12,000, there's alot of continuous sharp talus and not such a favorable environment for flowers - so can't compare with the elevation at Ice Lakes (12,200-12,800 ft).
I'd love to see your Ice Lakes wildflower report! :D
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
Kane...I love your photography and being that I have been at Ice Lake Basin it would be awesome to see your shots!! we were there 4 years ago and it froze the night before we did that trip, though much had the "freeze dried look" it was AMAZING and the only way I'm going to see it right now is through your photography so please post!!! :D have fun!!!
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- kamiller43
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
I was there two days ago and the flowers were out of control.
- Mark Curtis
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
Pics?kamiller43 wrote:I was there two days ago and the flowers were out of control.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46092977@N07/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
Was there on June 21. They were starting to bloom. Wasn't sure if I was early or just because it was a dry winter that there weren't more. Gorgeous area though.
- ColoradoEd
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
I was in the next basin over on 7/3. We hiked up to Columbine Lake (highly recommended). Wildflowers were nuts. Here are a couple of shots:
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
ColoradoEd......great! Thanks for posting these photos and your tip about Columbine Lake. The paintbrush are crazy in that second shot!
How far is it to the lake from the trailhead? The water looks like the same tint as the Ice Lakes. Very nice.
How far is it to the lake from the trailhead? The water looks like the same tint as the Ice Lakes. Very nice.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46092977@N07/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- ColoradoEd
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
The lake is about 3.5 miles in, 2,800 vertical. It took us a little over 2 hours to hump it up there. Didn't see another person the entire day.
The trailhead is not marked and hidden pretty well. I recommend accessing the shelf road from the Ophir Pass road. You'll be able to see the trailhead better as it angles south to north. We came in from the north and it took us 1/2 hour just to locate the trail. I've done ice lakes and this one is just as nice.
The trailhead is not marked and hidden pretty well. I recommend accessing the shelf road from the Ophir Pass road. You'll be able to see the trailhead better as it angles south to north. We came in from the north and it took us 1/2 hour just to locate the trail. I've done ice lakes and this one is just as nice.
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Re: Anyone been up into Ice Lakes Basin recently?
Go now! I went yesterday.....these are all from the lake. With the exception of a nice stand of fireweed, the trail is sparse with flowers until the upper basin. But then, wow.....paintbrush everywhere! Plenty of other flowers too as you can see from the photos. Things are drying out though.....they have been getting some hit or miss showers in the area, but nothing that substantial for awhile. Most of the trail leading to the upper basin is very dry.....so only the heartiest and shadiest flowers are hanging in there. The upper basin has so much water even without much snow from last winter, but the snow on Fuller, Vermillion, and Golden Horn is almost gone. I've been up there in previous years and there was still ice and snow on the lakes at almost this same time. Hoping for more rain!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46092977@N07/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;