Arapahoe Pass and Caribou Lake

Arapahoe Pass

Caribou Lake

Buddy the boxer and I climbed to Arapahoe Pass and down to Caribou Lake. Caribou Lake is in a beautiful setting, nearly surrounded by high mountains and ridges. We also took a short side hike to Lake Dorothy but didn't stay long because it looked like it might storm. It did not.

Comanche Lake

When I awoke in the morning, the campsite was in a cloud and wind was blowing strongly. Wisps of fog were moving rapidly across the lake and for a moment the rising sun illuminated the interior of the cloud with bright, yellow light. From Venable Lake, we had to climb up over two passes and down to Comanche Lake. Mark went down to the valley below to tell the others we were going ahead and returned so we could start. We climbed steeply into the strong wind and dense fog, and after a time, reached a portion where the trail was essentially a narrow ledge on the side of a vertical, rock wall. It was frightening moving along this route while the strong wind pushed against us. Eventually, we saw the top of the first pass above us, and when we stepped onto the top, even stronger gusts of wind struck us in the face. The next portion of the trail was more level, following a grassy contour across the face of the steep ridge. When we reached the second pass and turned to descend, the wind stopped and the fog cleared enough to allow us to see Comanche Lake below. We got to the lake and waited for the rest of the group. By the time they arrived, it had begun to rain, and it rained and the wind blew strongly all afternoon and for most of the night. Because of the rain, I went to bed early and slept for almost ten hours. About 6:30 Monday morning, a strong light pierced my tent and I got up to see the sun briefly shining through the clouds. It was no longer raining but most of the group packed up and headed down toward the trailhead without eating breakfast in hope of avoiding more rain. I ate breakfast, took pictures of the lake, and joined the last of the hikers going down. We could see increasing blue sky behind us as we descended to the trailhead. The Rock Mountains concentrate the powers of the universe and seem indifferent to the fates of human beings. Thus, it is enlightening that some of us find our ecstasy there. It is a profound beauty.

Venable Lake

On Saturday, our group of fifteen CMC and CHAOS members began our three day backpack to Venable Lake and Comanche Lake in the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness Area. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are thrust-fault mountains, which means that they rise steeply above the surrounding valleys. The climb to Venable Lake was a continuous, steady climb. The weather was sunny and midday we reached the top of the large valley just below tree line. From that point, reaching Venable Lake involved climbing a steep five-hundred foot valley wall on a series of switchbacks. It was clear that the lake would be above the protection of tall trees. The group had a serious discussion about changing plans to camp in the valley to avoid the threat of lightening and because it would be easier to find wood for a campfire in the valley. The two lead hikers, Erica and Mark, had already gone ahead to the Lake. It was decided that the group would camp below, but I climbed ahead to the Lake. I established my campsite with Erica and Mark in a nice sheltered, low area surrounded by stunted evergreens and willow bushes. The site had a campfire ring and a large, flat boulder standing upright for protection from the wind. There are actually twin Venable Lakes separated by a low but prominent ridge. From the top of the ridge there are outstanding views of the lakes, of the high peaks around the valley below, and of the expansive Westcliffe valley beyond. As I enjoyed the areas around the lake, members of the group from the valley below began to arrive at the Lake without their camping gear. Two, Rebecca and Colin, took quick swims in the frigid waters of the upper lake.

After dinner and after all those camping below had left, I climbed a knob above the lower lake to take photographs and enjoy the evening and tracked a small rainbow moving across the Westcliffe Valley in the distance. Later, I returned to the campsite and Erica and Mark had found wood for a fire, and while the fire burned, Erica read chapters from the Grapes of Wrath. The story of the Joads above twelve-thousand feet: what wonderful entertainment that was. Hearing Steinbeck out loud, makes one realize what a witty, talented and anthropological writer he was. The Grapes of Wrath demonstrates a clear grasp of Oklahoma linguistics and provides a thorough cultural inventory. The wind blew strongly during the night, but I was well-sheltered in my tent and slept well.