Booth Lake Basin - Gore Range, Colorado

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Mar 18, 2014
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I made it out for a solo trip this past Saturday up to Vail, CO to access the west side of the Gore Range. It seems like every time I venture out into these parts I end up with some epiphany that may be the most beautiful spot in our rectangular state. (Shhh, don't spread the word). The trails on the west side are a bit more accessible than the east side, and none the less spectacular. I had wanted to do a lollipop loop where I ascended a pass between Booth and Pitkin lake drainages and the circled around to hit up West Booth Pass and see some more terrain. But I was adamant about carrying my huge bear canister that I purchased last year and haven't used yet. I didn't need all that for one night, but I knew I'd be near tree line, and bears would be hungry this time of year (but probably lower down than these high basins). So the extra weight had me rethink my options once I put in some solid elevation gain and made it to Booth Lake. I figured fishing the lake and hiking up the nearby ridges for views down would suffice. I could read a book and just take in the splendor that is the Gore Range on the 1st day of Fall 2018. I had to be out. I made it out. It was glorious.
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Glorious. Indeed!
Also nice that you got some of those higher up shots. Seems rarely a cloud in sky.
End up reading anything good? Or spend too much time herding goats? ;)
 
Fall is just a beautiful time in Vail, thanks for sharing! The Aspens look gorgeous now. You were very lucky to see those Mountain Goats!
Agreed, Booth Lake and that area are absolutely gorgeous. When we lived in Colorado, Rick and I hiked to Booth Lake in July 2012 (without a pack).
Yeah, that is a solid ascend.....! The descend was steep and my back got badly injured shortly after, so I could neither walk or stand for many months after that hike. One vertebrae slipped over another. The Booth Lake hike was the final straw for my back. :rolleyes:
Thanks for taking the time to share your beautiful photos and the hike to Booth Lake and up beyond that. Incredible scenery!
 
Glorious. Indeed!
Also nice that you got some of those higher up shots. Seems rarely a cloud in sky.
End up reading anything good? Or spend too much time herding goats? ;)

Funny you ask - I've been reading "How to Change your Mind" by Michael Pollan - way to big of a hardback to take up along with the bear canister. I opted for a paperback on Iceland as I recently took a trip there and wanted to reminisce.
 
Funny. That title came up in the recommended, but I haven't looked at it.
Last book I read was on Tamerlane when I was on a trip in August, but I'm always looking for another when I have time.
 
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