Linkins Lake Redo

The beginning of August 2021 we hiked to Linkins Lake. The trailhead is about two miles west of Independence Pass on CO Highway 82 which crosses the Sawatch (suh-watch) Mountains, home to some of Colorado’s highest peaks. There seems to be little agreement on the elevation gain over the .6 mile trail to the lake, but we walk up about 550 feet. Not to mention all the rocks, switchbacks, and gorgeous wildflowers! Come on along, but watch your step.

The trail’s beginning takes us along the Roaring Fork River. Not really “roaring” since its headwaters are not far away making it more like a creek. It travels northwest for 70 miles, growing in size, until its confluence with the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. It really is lovely with lots of wildflowers all along its banks.

Time to make a left, but one of the upcoming visits we must walk to Independence and Lost Man Lakes along Lost Man Trail. Sounds like a good plan for next summer. Stay tuned . . .

This year’s visit is on July 25, but our last visit was Aug 3. Only nine days, but oh what a difference in the wildflowers that are and are not in bloom. Well, this is the alpine life zone which means a short growing season. Flowers come and go much faster than at lower elevations. All the flowers on this trip are close to the ground but lovely vibrant colors. Small meadows among the rocks, shrubs, and dry areas.

Lots of running water too. There is still snow melting into the lake above and the creeks are flowing.

The hike up is tough which means stopping at shady spots, drinking plenty of water, and taking a shot of our canned oxygen now and then to re-energize. It is 7:45am so the sun is not too high overhead yet and clouds are coming in making shade easier to find for now. OK, here we go. Let’s take a look at the beautiful flowers along the way, some I’ve never seen in my life, like this one.

Narcissus Anemone (Anemone narcissiflora var zephyra). The plants can grow 2 feet tall and flowers to 1-1/2 inches across.

They are in clusters along the trail but tend to like the shade at times too.

These anemone only live in the subalpine and alpine life zones–10,000 to 14,000 feet. They bloom June and July so we are lucky to see them.

There are many colors of paintbrush, but this is Rosy Paintbrush (Castilleja rhexiifolia). These pink paintbrush grow at elevations from 7,500 to 13,000 feet so mostly seen in the mountains.

A surprise, “hiding” in the bush along the trail, and at eye level. Only the size of the chipmunk, but it is a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). Chipmunks have stripes up their necks and over their heads, not so for these ground squirrels.

Mountain Blue Violet (Viola adunca). The plants are low growing but can reach 12 inches. The flowers are about one inch across, a bit longer in height.

Getting closer to the lake and surprise. These are the first Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) I’ve seen in true wilderness. This is the Colorado State Flower so it is planted everywhere, but here we have the true wild version. These flowers grow from 5,500 to 13,500 feet elevation. Now that’s adaptability.

Last visit we saw a Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) near a rock, make that boulder, outcropping. Amazing, but look ahead at the same outcrop. Mom and dad keeping a lookout and a baby below being attacked by flies.

Oh my, two more youngsters on the rocks along the trail. So what are they all looking at, except the little one laying down who leaned against his bro/sis and fell asleep, but not for long. There’s a Golden Eagle flying along the mountains and since marmots make a good meal, they are on high alert. Nothing happened, but both these little ones ran for cover as we approached.

Mountain Death Camas (Anticlea elegans or Zigadenus elegans). They live in mountainous areas from 6,500 to 13,000 feet but can easily be missed. Their flowers are only about 3/4 inch across. The grassy leaves can become a large cluster with flower stems as high as 24 inches, but in these alpine regions with high winds they are likely to grow to less than 12 inches tall. Yes, the entire plant and flowers are poisonous. Not sure if just touching them is a problem, but I don’t want to be the “test subject” to find out 😉 .

I’ve know them as Penstemon, but they are also called Beardtongue, why I’m not sure. There are many types of penstemon but they all do have a kind of “tongue” with stamen coming to the end of the flower opening. This is Dusky Beardtongue also called Whipple’s Penstemon (Penstemon whippleanus). Yes, the blooms are hairy. These particular penstemon grow from 8,000 to 13,500 feet.

Walking on large rocks to avoid getting really wet. There is an exit creek from the lake just ahead and here is the result where much of the water drops down to join the Roaring Fork River. Some of the water continues along our trail and will drop down in smaller creeks all with the same destination–Roaring Fork River.

See the road in the background? That is CO-82 and around the bend at right is Independence Pass, 90 feet higher than we are here at 12,008 feet. Are you huffing and puffing?

Here we are, 11-acre Linkins Lake. Beautiful clear water but the sun is too bright and water too ripply for you to see that in the pictures. Just lovely! This is the south end of the lake. We arrived at the lake’s shore trail after walking along the exiting creek at the far left edge of the lake.

Then looking north. It gets very mucky at the end of the trail. The lake’s water is high and was even higher apparently.

Oh heck, here’s the entire lake that sits in this cirque on the far end of Geissler Mountain West.

Many of the yellow flowers are Alpine Avens (Geum rossii) and will ultimately cover much of the area. They don’t grow any lower than 10,000 feet and are thriving with all the water.

You have to really look for these tiny treasures. Alpine Speedwell (Geum rossii). They can reach 12 inches tall but in alpine environs may only be 4 inches high.

In the mucky areas along the lake’s shore we see Queen’s Crown (Rhodiola rhodantha) but not yet in full bloom.

Well, the time we spent around the lake has been a real delight but time to head back down. Ahh, the walk away from the lake is quite nice.

Well that didn’t last long. On this trail with so many rocks and steep drops you must STOP–then take a long look around at the stunning views!

Here we go, watch your step and go slow.

This is tricky and some of the drops are 18+ inches high. Take your time!

We are about half way down. From here looking south you can see part of our trail mid right edge and we are looking toward the parking area mid picture.

Only about 2/10 of a mile to the SUV, but let’s stop a moment and look north to the end of the valley. That’s the destination, if you hike long enough, when hiking Lost Man Trail. The mountain straight ahead is Geissler Mountain East at 13,380 connecting with Geissler Mountain West at left, 13,310.

We are almost at trail’s end but the flowers just keep me smiling, how about you?

Back at the SUV, the view down CO-82 (at right) to Aspen is gorgeous. The squiggly line below the road is the Roaring Fork River as it heads down the valley on its course to the Colorado River.

What a lovely morning and some pretty good exercise too! Until next time my friend . . .