Windy Peak Loop (Lost Creek Wilderness, Colorado)

The Castle in Lost Creek Wilderness

Trip date: July 05, 2020

A couple years ago I did an on-trail loop around Windy Peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness (LCW).  There are no bad trips to LCW but that one always felt a bit bland in comparison to my first trip there and to my off-trail Goose Creek loop.  

This time I decided to do a largely off-trail  day hike to windy peak from the same trailhead (Rolling Creek TH).  ​

Two "Windy Peak Loops". 1) an on-trail overnight backpacking trip in May 2018 that went *around* Windy Peak (red) and 2) this July 2020 off-trail day hike that actually reached the summit (yellow).

Caltopo map here: ​https://caltopo.com/m/7PUF

Impressively stout Aspens (12-18+ diameter).

In my 2019 Year in Review I discussed my affection for the forests in LCW.  When I left the trail to start ascend the eastern slopes of Windy Peak I remembered why I liked this area so much: 

"The Lost Creek Wilderness is always a good time.  The sub-alpine/alpine forests between 9.5k-11k feet are my favorite forest to wander around in.  The ground is almost spongey soft and the trees are the perfect distance apart for off-trail travel: not so close that you have the break off dead branches as you move through them, but close enough that it still feels like a challenge."

Typical, blissful off-trail travel in the sub-alpine forests of Lost Creek Wilderness.

Right after passing through this meeadow, I started to hear lightning and could see a thunderstorm on nearby Mt. Evans. I decided to lose elevation really quickly.

First I tried the south side but then decided I could lose elevation faster on the steeper north slopes.

Rules are meant to be broken right? In my lightning excursion I found some slightly less blissful off-trail travel.

After regaining the summit ridge the clouds got ominous again but it seemed like it would blow over quickly.

Oops

Immediately upon descending that notch the right of the largest boulder I found something special...

Surely, you've come to expect bear poop pictures by now, right? (I was surprised there was a bear this high).

Looking West towards Craig Park. I'd do an overnight trip here 4 months later in October.

Working down the eastern slopes of Windy Peak

Not excited about all the willow I'm seeing in the unnamed park below me (the darker patches in the treeless area).

I love this view. It was the competitor for the opening photo.

There are two rules for willow: 1) your feet will be wet, and 2) your legs will likely be bloody if you are wearing shorts (but not too bad).

After exiting the park, I got into a really spectacular forested section.  Lots of signs of wildlife and really big, beautiful trees.  This part was actually my favorite part of the whole hike.  The route finding was more complex and there were constant small surprises.  

I love these parts so much.

Eventually I stumbled on a pretty good game/use trail. I saw quite a few cairns so at least some people definitely know about it.

I took a break by this boulder to eat some peanut M&M's. When I packed up to leave I walked off and left my trekking poles. I didn't notice for maybe half a mile. When I went back to look for them this boulder was a useful landmark.

Somehow I was low on water even though I'd stocked up at the park below Windy Peak. I saw an especially green patch out in front of me. I stopped to listen and sure enough found water coming out of he ground from an unmarked spring.

You know how when you find bones, the bone marrow is always gone?

Pancake rocks

Sign upgrade.

I took a picture of this spot on the 2018 trip too. Seeing it in person is really striking, because the matchstick forest seems to come out of nowhere.

On the drive out