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A beautiful alpine trail with a fun scramble just below the summit of 14er Mt. Lindsey.


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Map Key

3.0

Miles

4.9

KM

52%

Runnable

14,020' 4,273 m

High

10,674' 3,253 m

Low

3,346' 1,020 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

21%

Avg Grade (12°)

59%

Max Grade (31°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

In the winter, the road to the trailhead is closed near the ranches, many miles below Lily Lake Trail, which provides access to this trail.

The land manager requests dogs be leashed. Dogs will do fine on this run, but will keep you on the trail and off the fun (but short) scramble below the summit.

Runner Notes

This is an excellent run. With moderate grades, steepening only with technicality, the vast majority of this can be run at a good clip. Once above 13,200 ft, the going is rocky and steep, but everything below is Forest-friendly.

Description

Run one mile from Lily Lake Trailhead on Lily Lake Trail over mostly flat, clear terrain before coming to a trail junction with a sign for Lily Lake. Staying left will put you on this trail. In another hundred yards or so, cross a river on some rocks and/or downed trees. Follow the trail away from the river, passing a boulder field on your left at around 10,800 ft.

From here, the grade cranks up. Follow the trail up 600 ft and come to a low-grade drainage to your right. Follow the trail along the gully before running back into the trees. Reach tree line at around 12,000 ft, just about 3 miles in. The going is slower from here.

Drop a hundred feet or so, heading to the left into the basin between Mt. Lindsey and the Blanca Massif. Follow the mostly class 1, occasionally rocky trail southeast. Come to a flat area around 12,200 ft before continuing back up to reach another flat area at 13,000 ft. It's rockier from here on out. Reach the 13,200 ft saddle between Iron Nipple (13,000 ft, to the left) and Mt. Lindsey (14,042 ft, to the right).

Follow the trail to the right along the rocky saddle. The northwest ridge is fairly clear, with a brief, steep face about halfway up. The rock here is solid. The gully to the left, which is the standard route, is loose and unpleasant, but makes for an easier descent. Follow the trail, running left of the ridge, onto a talus field below a steep gully. Run up and to the right across the talus, reaching the bottom of the gully in a few hundred feet. Continue up the rocky, loose gully for about 300 ft before coming back to a gravel trail. You may encounter climbers coming from the ridge below. From here, it's just a couple hundred yards to the summit.

Flora & Fauna

There aren't a lot of wildflowers in this area: expect lush forest down low and a grassy basin up high. Marmots and pika are everywhere, though.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tyler Prince

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 2 votes

#1606

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#232

in Colorado

#1,606

Overall
2 Views Last Month
572 Since Apr 29, 2015
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Photos

Mount Lindsey and the Sangre de Cristo Range
Apr 30, 2015 near San Luis, CO
The Blanca Massif, visible from the summit. L to R: Little Bear Peak, Blanca Peak (tallest), Ellingwood Point. Gash Ridge, a low class 5 route, descends from Blanca's summit into the basin.
Apr 29, 2015 near San Luis, CO
A view of the basin, with Mt. Lindsey in the distance - from the Mt. Lindsey Trail.
Apr 29, 2015 near Alamosa…, CO
Early morning around 12,000 ft. with Mt Lindsey (14,042 ft.) in the background.
Sep 25, 2018 near Alamosa…, CO
A climber on the start of the crux wall, just below the crack in the next picture. Easier scrambling can be seen behind him.
Apr 29, 2015 near San Luis, CO
A climber works his way up the class 4 crack of the crux wall.
Apr 29, 2015 near San Luis, CO

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