Nederland, CO - Hike to Heart Lake

Our friend Judy invited me to hike with her Thursday hiking group to Heart Lake I'm told an 8 mile round trip.  A moose crosses the road on the way

It's a lovely drive there.

We will be hiking to Rollins Pass

 

We start our hike at Moffett Tunnel at 8:53 a.m.

David Moffett envisioned a railroad from Salt Lake City Utah to Denver Colorado through the mountains.  A temporary line was built across Rollins Pass.  His dream was not realized during his lifetime he passed away in 1911.  Partners and associates kept his dream alive.  Funding was found in 1923 and the tunnel completed on February 12, 1927

The hike goes through the James Peak Wilderness

It follows a creek most of the way

and is mostly uphill

Lots of bridges to cross

Sometimes you just had to use stepping stones

Everywhere running water

This bridge has seen better days

A stop on this bridge to see the waterfall

then more uphill

Getting to higher elevation we are starting to get out of the tree line.

We get to Roger's Lake

Wish I had a fishing pole or net

Less than a mile now - have to trudge through a little snow - it's July 9th.

They say the Lake is just over the Ridge

So we continue on

Almost there!

It comes into view!

We arrive at 11:54.  5.4 miles in 3 hours . Judy stakes out a spot for lunch

I have a view of Rollins Pass.  I pass on continuing on.  We are at 11,500 feet and it is another 500' plus elevation there by switchbacks. 

We stay about 45 mins and then head back down

The trees at this elevation are interesting shapes

Judy and I are lagging behind the others and miss a turn.  We see this pond  a short ways away which we know we didn't pass going up - decide we might as well go take a look.

We get back on the right track and catch up to the others.

I don't remember this bridge being broken on our way up.

We fall behind again and I am concerned because things don't look familiar. 

We get back to an open field I remember - should have only couple miles to go.

1 mile to go!

Final Bridge

And back to the Tunnel

and back to the parking lot at 3:20.    Left the Lake around 12:40 so just over 3 hours back.  Round trip 10.9 miles in just over 6 hours - not bad.

So glad Judy cancelled her bike ride and asked me along for this hike.