"Wild Basin HIGH ROUTE"

Category: Colorado (RMNP)Elev: 10,650-13,138 ftRock Type: Gneiss & Granite
Dates: August 26-28, 2022 (Fri-Sun)Trip Report #: 574Partner: Nate Arganbright

Wild Basin High Route (~22 miles, 2.5 days, 4 summits and 6 alpine lakes, up to 3rd class)

A glorious late summer ridge hike ending at the southern boundary of RMNP.

Intro

It was late August, and already there was a fall feel to the air, especially in the mountains. Nate and I wanted to fit in a nice mountain adventure before the daytime summer temperatures disappeared for good. We had discussed Wild Basin, located in the southeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. Aptly named, Wild Basin is replete with wildlife, rushing rivers, roaring waterfalls, sparking alpine lakes, gleaming snowfields, remote and jagged peaks, and other hidden areas of RMNP that few visitors see. When a backcountry site at Thunder Lake opened up at the last minute, a Wild Basin trip felt meant to be. The forecast called for rain on Friday afternoon (when we would be hiking in), but mostly sunny over the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, Nate and I hiked into Thunder Lake. We arrived a bit soggy and chilled, but warmed up after donning dry clothes, crawling into warm sleeping bags, and consuming hot drinks, warm food, and Canadian chocolate bars my mom had sent us. On Saturday, we shouldered our packs and headed upwards, first hiking past Box Lake, Eagle Lake, and Indigo Pond en route to gaining the ridgeline along the Continental Divide; we traversed along the Divide for the rest of the day, along the summiting The Cleaver, Isolation Peak, and Ouzel Peak. It was windy and the late summer temperatures were cool, but sun and jackets kept us comfortable.  Just when we were starting to wonder where we would spend the night (water was essential, which we figured would probably mean dropping down a ways), we came upon a water source high on the Divide, and decided it was a sign to stop and establish camp for the night. On Sunday, we continued along the Divide to Ogalalla Peak on the southern boundary of RMNP, and from there descended via Cony Pass to Junco Lake and then Bluebird Lake, where we gained the main trail and hiked out. All told, we tagged 4 summits along the Divide (Cleaver, Isolation, Ouzel, Ogalalla) and 6 alpine lakes (Thunder, Box, Eagle, Indigo, Junco, Bluebird). All of the travel was 2nd-3rd class.

It was a marvelous adventure. Above treeline, the views were glorious in all directions and there was a feeling of fall in the air and touches of fall color in the foliage. Even so, the flowers abounded, thanks to a wet summer. I had loaned Nate one of my point and shoot cameras, and both of us took lots of photos (Nate took 106 photos and I took 281 photos). The following trip report includes several photos taken by Nate.

Below is a trip report for our weekend overnight high route in Wild Basin. Enjoy!


Nate and my travels along the Continental Divide in RMNP:

As of this trip, Nate and I have traversed most of the Continental Divide that runs through Rocky Mountain National Park. Our July 2020 "Estes Skyline High Route" included the section between the Alpine Visitor Center and Chiefs Head; in August 2020, we summited Mt. Alice; and in the trip on this page we traversed from The Cleaver to Ogalalla Peak on the southern boundary of RMNP. Sections we have not done include: the far north end on Specimen Mountain, which is closed year-round to all travel for the protection of bighorn sheep so cannot be included; the straightforward 2nd-3rd section between Chiefs Head and Mt. Alice; and the straightforward 2nd-3rd section between Mt. Alice and The Cleaver. It just remains to connect all of these sections in one glorious high ridgeline trip. Stay tuned for a future report on the "RMNP Continental Divide High Route"!

Map

Day 1: Wild Basin Trailhead to Thunder Lake

~6.2 miles, ~2074 feet gain, ~2 hours 45 minutes

  • Wild Basin Trailhead: 8,500 feet
  • Thunder Lake: 10,574 feet
Our packs started off weighing about 23 pounds. This is considerably lighter than a pack for a day of cragging, so the packs didn't feel bothersome in the slightest.
Wild Basin Trailhead.
It's a pretty easy trail all the way to Thunder Lake.
Fungus. It had been a wet summer and there was a lot of fungus in the forested sections of the trip.Photo by Nate.
Our campsite at the Thunder Lake backcountry sites. Kind of dank, but it served the purpose of getting us to near treeline so we could maximize our time above treeline on Saturday and Sunday.
My mom had sent us some Canadian chocolate bars. We devoured two of them on the first night. Suddenly life started to look up again. Thanks mom!
Make sure to feed the privy boy at Thunder Lake. Photo by Nate.

Day 2: THUNDER LAKE - BOX LAKE - EAGLE LAKE - INDIGO POND - THE CLEAVER - ISOLATION PEAK - OUZEL PEAK

~5.7 miles, ~6.5 hours

  • Thunder Lake (Alpine Lake #1): 10,574 feet
  • Box Lake (Alpine Lake #2): 10,740 feet
  • Eagle Lake (Alpine Lake #3): 10,820 feet
  • Indigo Pond (Alpine Lake #4): 11,180 feet
  • The Cleaver (Summit #1): 12,200+ feet
  • Isolation Peak (Summit #2): 13,118 feet
  • Ouzel Peak (Summit #3): 12,716 feet
  • Camp: 12,490 feet
Thunder Lake, looking towards Boulder-Grand Pass. With the shadows, trees, and clouds adding depth to the scene, this photo looks like something Bob Ross would paint. 
Thunder Lake, looking towards Boulder-Grand Pass.
The patrol cabin at Thunder Lake. Built in 1930, this 12-foot by 16-foot cabin has more recently been used on an occasional basis as a backcountry patrol cabin in the Wild Basin area. 
Drying our stuff out in the morning sun. The forest had been wet from the rain the previous afternoon, so our stuff was pretty damp in the morning.
Nate's breakfast was a hit: maple-walnut cream of wheat and pieces of bacon jerkey.
I was surprised to spot a spotted sandpiper at Thunder Lake. These hearty birds range from sea level to above 12,000 feet.
Mushroom.
Another mushroomPhoto by Nate.
Fireweed.Photo by Nate.
Harebell.
Box Lake.
Eagle Lake. We traversed around this on the right. This traverse was the most unpleasant section of the trip, but it was over reasonably quickly. An alternative route that would avoid traversing alongside Eagle Lake would be to go up the East Ridge of Tanima Peak from Thunder Lake (we had initially planned to do this, but it was quite windy so we decided to stay low until the day warmed up).Photo by Nate.
Collecting water using a waterproof map. 
In the basin above Eagle Lake. We ascended the basin and gained the ridge above (which is the Continental Divide) just to the right (north) of The Cleaver. Fireweed in foreground.
Looking up into the base from Indigo Pond. We ascended the basin and gained the ridge  above (which is the Continental Divide) just to the right (north) of The Cleaver. 
Aster.
Indian Paintbrush.Photo by Nate.
On the ridge (Continental Divide) leading to The Cleaver.
On the ridge (Continental Divide) leading to The Cleaver.
The Cleaver is the formation in the foreground. Isolation Peak rises behind.
Nate descending from The Cleaver. This was a short climb but we figured we may as well tag the top of this seldom-climbed formation as we passed by!
The notch between The Cleaver and Isolation Peak.
Looking up at the 5.4 section which would allow us to directly regain the ridge crest of the Divide. The rock was a bit moist and we had just approach shoes, so we made the conservative decision to take a 3rd class ramp system along the west side and then go up a 3rd/4th class gully to gain the Divide again.
The 3rd class ramp system along the west side of Isolation.
The entrance to the gully to regain the ridge crest.
Nearing the ridge crest.
On the ridge crest (which is the Continental Divide) headed for the summit of Isolation.
Steph in the foreground, Eagles Beak and Frigid Lake below.Photo by Nate.
On the Divide headed towards the summit of Isolation.
On the Divide headed towards the summit of Isolation.
Nearing the summit of Isolation.
On the summit of Isolation Peak. This isolated summit sees few visitors.
The summit register.
Looking from the summit of Isolation along the Continental Divide towards the next part of our journey to Ouzel Peak. Ogalalla Peak is in the distance. 
Towers along the way. Pipit Lake below and Mt. Copeland in the distance beyond.
A view back north towards Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker.
Nate enjoying the romp along the Continental Divide between Isolation and Ouzel. Isolation behind.
Nate enjoying the romp along the Continental Divide between Isolation and Ouzel. Ouzel ahead.
Steph enjoying the romp along the Continental Divide between Isolation and Ouzel. Isolation behind.Photo by Nate.
A rock chicken along the way.
Nearing the summit of Ouzel Peak.
Almost there.
Nate on the summit of Ouzel Peak.
Looking from the summit of Ouzel towards the next part of our journey along the Continental Divide to Ogalalla Peak. We wanted to camp soon. Sure would be nice to find water up high and avoid dropping down into the shady valley to camp....
....we found water shortly after leaving the summit of Ouzel!
Lots of water, too!
We set up camp. It was mid-afternoon and we could have hiked for a couple of more hours, but we felt that finding water for a high camp on the Divide was a gift, so we decided to stop for the day.
Enjoying an afternoon in the sun at camp.
Arctic gentian glowing in the evening light.
Queen's crown exhibiting fall colors.
On the divide between Ouzel and Ogalalla, not far from camp.
Looking down at Junco and Bluebird Lakes.
The sky was threatening rain, so we set up a tarp. It ended up only spitting, so eventually we took the tarp down again.
Nate's dinner. He gave it a C+.
My dinner. Cinnamon roll flavored oatmeal. I gave in an A. A big bowl of hot oatmeal always hits the spot.
Late evening light.
A glorious mountain sunset.
The pretty cyan and pink light at sunset.
Our camp is located in the lower left of the photos. Ogalalla in distance.
The Coffee Crisp is probably Nate's favorite of the chocolate bars my mom sent us. This made up for the C+ dinner. It's too bad you cannot get Coffee Crisp in the States. They are quite tasty.

Day 3: OGALALLA PEAK - CONY PASS - JUNCO LAKE - BLUEBIRD LAKE - WILD BASIN TRAILHEAD

~9.9 miles, ~6.5 hours

  • Camp: 12,490 feet
  • Ogalalla Peak (Summit #4): 13,138 feet
  • Cony Pass: 12,420 feet
  • Junco Lake (Alpine Lake #5): 11,620 feet
  • Bluebird Lake (Alpine Lake #6): 10,978 feet
  • Wild Basin Trailhead: 8,500 feet
Coffee and breakfast in the morning sun.
Getting ready to head out for the day.
Sulphur paintbrush glowing in the morning light.
Headed towards the first objective of the day and our last summit of the trip: Ogalalla Peak. 
The summit ridge of Ogalalla Peak. This is along the Continental Divide.
Steph nearing the summit.Photo by Nate.
Nate on the summit.
On the summit of Ogalalla Peak. Ogalalla Peak is on the Continental Divide as well as along the southern boundary of RMNP.
Nate looking at the summit register. Only 8 other parties had signed the register in 2022.
A view south towards Indian Peaks.
A view east towards Elk Tooth. We had debated the option of continuing to Elk Tooth (3rd/4th class), but we both preferred to be back home by late afternoon (life responsibilities....), and Elk Tooth would make it a longer day than desired. 
Cony Pass (which we needed to pass through to get down into the Bluebird Lake drainage) is the low point on the ridge in the foreground.
Heading down from the summit of Ogalalla towards Cony Pass (we had left our packs on the ridge just above the pass on the ascent).
Descending towards Cony Pass.
Scat at Cony Pass. Some sort of feline or canine? Coyote scat is tubular, tapered, and often full of hair.
Junco Lake as seen from Cony Pass.
Nate relaxing in the alpine nirvana of Junco Lake.
A view back up towards Cony Pass. Getting from Cony Pass to Junco Lake is a tedious 3rd class talus slope.
Beginning the pleasant stroll along a granite rib between Junco Lake and Bluebird Lake.
Between Junco Lake and Bluebird Lake. This was a surprisingly pleasant section of travel, which Nate dubbed "The Secret Garden" for all of the flowers and greenery.Photo by Nate.
Descending "The Secret Garden" between Junco Lake and Bluebird Lake.
Looking up "The Secret Garden" between Junco Lake and Bluebird Lake.Photo by Nate.
Asters.
Asters. These look surprisingly healthy for almost September. It was a wet summer.
Thriving Elephant's Head. 
Queens Crown with moth.Photo by Nate.
Fall colors.
A textbook photo of jointing.
Banded gneiss with garnets in biotite mica zones.Photo by Nate.
Large garnets.
A bluebird day at Bluebird Lake. The peak is Ouzel Peak, which we had summited the day before.
A section of trail just below Bluebird Lake.
A section of trail just below Bluebird Lake. There were a surprising variety of flowers here for late August.
Indian Paintbrush.Photo by Nate.
Alpine columbine.
Monkshood.
A bee taking off from a sunflower. Nice photo Nate!Photo by Nate.
Perry's Gentian.
Close up of Perry's Gentian.Photo by Nate.
I am not quite sure what kind of plant this is, but it is pretty.Photo by Nate.
Wild raspberries lined the trail.
Lots of ripe wild raspberries! Yum.
My long-time go-to geology consult Doug McKeever says: "My favorite! Gneiss with a porphyroblast dominated by olivine and containing a 'minidike' of quartz and feldspar. Beautiful rock, the kind that students do a thesis on. Lots more mystery going on in the very bottom of the photo."Photo by Nate.
A Xenolith (inclusion of older wall rock).Photo by Nate.
Yet another artistic stump photo by Nate (he's had several on previous trip reports). This is evidence left over from the Ouzel Fire, which was started by a lightening strike on August 9, 1978.
Because it was in a low risk zone the national park allowed the low intensity fire to smolder. However, five weeks later, on September 15th, Chinook winds exceeding 30 MPH whipped the fire out of control and threatened the small town of Allenspark. The fire wasn't fully extinguished until December 4th! In all, the Ouzel Fire burned more than a thousand acres, making it one of the largest fires in Rocky Mountain National Park history. Reference.
A cute tiny fungus.Photo by Nate.
More fungi.
More fungi.Photo by Nate.
Autumn berries.Photo by Nate.
A lone leaf. Another sign of fall on the way.Photo by Nate.
The bridge crossing North St Vrain Creek.Photo by Nate.
Back at the Wild Basin Trailhead.

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