• Oatley Vacations
• Rocky Mtn 2009
• Rocky Mtn 2008
• Rocky Mtn 2007
• Rocky Mtn 2006
• Rocky Mtn 2005
• Extras
• RMNP 2009
• Alluvial Fan
• Steep Mountain
• Gabletop Mountain
• Knob Hopping
• Sundance Mountain
• Junco Lake
• Gianttrack Mountain
• Mummy Mountain
• Deer Mountain
• Finch Lake Trail
• Bridal Veil Falls

Junco Lake

August 10th, 2009

Report Summary

We were up early and met Kristin - a friend of ours from the RMNP forum - a little before 5:00am at the Wild Basin TH parking lot. Our plan was to hike to Bluebird Lake, then up to Junco Lake, and finally climb over Coney Pass to return via the Pear/Finch Lake trail. We made good time to Bluebird Lake. After a short snack break, we started work on finding the route to Junco. There's a ridge separating Bluebird Lake from the Junco drainage. Sandy and Ali explored a narrow chute that cut into the ridge but had no luck. Kristin and I waited about ten minutes and then decided to work our way around the base of the ridge. A few minutes later we met up with Sandy and Ali, and we all continued around the ridge to the drainage.

Initially, hiking up the drainage was fairly easy. Then we hit a large snow field. Unfortunately, it was a bit icy and a little too steep for our boots to grip. None of use carry crampons so we went around. The wise choice would have been to cross the creek to our right and get back on the ridge. Instead we took the route to the left which involved an interesting class 2+ climb over a rock outcrop followed by a lengthy traverse of small talus and scree. Sandy and Ali pulled ahead of Kristin and me. After about an hour and a half, we spotted Sandy up ahead pointing out the route. From there, we crossed the stream and hiked the rest of the way on easy, grassy slopes. We were all at the lake by 11:15am.

We quickly decided to abandon the climb over the pass. Our poor route choice delayed our arrival at Junco by an hour or more, and the tedium of the rock slopes dampened our desire to climb anything more of that sort. We spent about an hour exploring and having lunch. Though the breeze was occasionally strong, it was a beautiful day. When the wind was still, we could hear the water fall from Pipit-Lark Lakes thundering its way down to Bluebird Lake.

Our return to Bluebird Lake was quite a bit faster and much more enjoyable. We stayed on the grassy slopes of the ridge until we were below the large snow field. Then it was a short bit of easy talus to the base of the drainage. Fifteen minutes later we made a short stop at Bluebird before returning to the Wild Basin TH. Things hadn't gone as planned, but it was still another enjoyable day hiking in RMNP.

Slide Show

Click the picture to advance, or use the right and left arrows. Mouse over the picture for text.