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- Feb 15, 2020
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I don't know that this one would normally merit such a belated trip report, but when looking through the year's hiking photos I realized I had already started preparing one back in June and just never got around to finishing it. Plus, it was a really fun day and - despite the Causeway being a pretty popular destination - it was not yet 'in season' so I had it pretty much all to myself. (The exception being one couple that was regretting a lot of life choices... but I'll get to that.) So here it is...
My plan for the day was to hike out from camp, traverse Colorado's version of the 'Chinese Wall', swing out wide to the Devil's Causeway and loop back across the Flat Tops plateau to return to camp. Thanks to the weekly sat photos on CalTopo, I knew going in that I'd need some patience and 'shoulder season' gear for the top - I'm glad I had looked, because it was easy to get lulled by the beautiful conditions just 1.2k' lower.
The car camping setup. Really cool site - the 'Chinese Wall' in the distance. We were out for a long weekend of camping in the the Flat Tops Wilderness when I snuck away for this one. My wife and kids reportedly had a leisurely day of board games, hot dogs for lunch, and a short hike around Trappers Lake.
I got a reasonably early start - thanks to being just a couple weeks before the summer solstice, I knew I had plenty of time to work with. The weather was fantastic as I circled Trappers Lake towards Little Trappers Lake.
Little Trappers Lake. From here I would hop off trail and ascend straight up to the 'Chinese Wall'.
Nearing the ridge. There was a bit of route-finding up the drainage, but nothing crazy. Got the heart pumping a bit.
First look down the 'Wall'.
After moving down the 'Wall' a bit, it was clear winter wasn't quite ready to let go yet.
The going was still pretty easy along the ridge, but started slowing at this point.
I could barely make out our bright orange tent in the distance. (Probably just a lost pixel in the photo though.)
Not much wildlife on this one, but I did inadvertently send this cow elk scrambling. Her struggles served as an admonishment about following my intended route - one I thoroughly ignored.
View from the northwest corner of the 'Wall' - including Trappers Lake, North Fork White River, and Skinny Fish Basin.
"Doesn't look too bad," he thought - foolishly.
This photo taken while waist deep in what could only generously be called 'snow'.
Is it a good sign when the scavengers start following you? This guy kept me company for about an hour.
The dry islands seemed to get further and further apart. And the snow certainly wasn't getting firmer under the midday sun. But I was "close" and I'd "come so far". I rode the "sunk cost fallacy" all the way to the end on this one.
But it had its rewards.
And the Causeway itself was nice and clear. Was fun to be here without any crowds - it's a very popular hike later in the summer.
I did run into a couple near the the Causeway - my only human encounter. They had hiked up from Stillwater Reservoir - the most commonly used route - and were equipped like it was mid-August. Credit it to them for making it up, but I think they had veered well into the upper tiers of 'Type 2' fun. We chatted for a bit and I offered some notes on their route back down, but they soon began their descent and I stopped for lunch on the far side of the Causeway.
360° from the Devil's Causeway. I think the exposure is a little over-hyped, but it is a really cool spot nonetheless and you should probably step carefully.
My return route... As happy as I was with my preparation, I was wishing for some proper snowshoes with 3 miles of this in front of me. It was certainly a practice in identifying good routing, keeping a steady pace, and just doing what had to be done. But my legs were screaming by the time I finally started descending the plateau.
Back on the Little Trappers Lake trail.
Always happy to come back to these fellas.
A pretty great day in the mountains and one I remember fondly as I sit reliving it through this trip report. I really should do more of these...
My plan for the day was to hike out from camp, traverse Colorado's version of the 'Chinese Wall', swing out wide to the Devil's Causeway and loop back across the Flat Tops plateau to return to camp. Thanks to the weekly sat photos on CalTopo, I knew going in that I'd need some patience and 'shoulder season' gear for the top - I'm glad I had looked, because it was easy to get lulled by the beautiful conditions just 1.2k' lower.
The car camping setup. Really cool site - the 'Chinese Wall' in the distance. We were out for a long weekend of camping in the the Flat Tops Wilderness when I snuck away for this one. My wife and kids reportedly had a leisurely day of board games, hot dogs for lunch, and a short hike around Trappers Lake.
I got a reasonably early start - thanks to being just a couple weeks before the summer solstice, I knew I had plenty of time to work with. The weather was fantastic as I circled Trappers Lake towards Little Trappers Lake.
Little Trappers Lake. From here I would hop off trail and ascend straight up to the 'Chinese Wall'.
Nearing the ridge. There was a bit of route-finding up the drainage, but nothing crazy. Got the heart pumping a bit.
First look down the 'Wall'.
After moving down the 'Wall' a bit, it was clear winter wasn't quite ready to let go yet.
The going was still pretty easy along the ridge, but started slowing at this point.
I could barely make out our bright orange tent in the distance. (Probably just a lost pixel in the photo though.)
Not much wildlife on this one, but I did inadvertently send this cow elk scrambling. Her struggles served as an admonishment about following my intended route - one I thoroughly ignored.
View from the northwest corner of the 'Wall' - including Trappers Lake, North Fork White River, and Skinny Fish Basin.
"Doesn't look too bad," he thought - foolishly.
This photo taken while waist deep in what could only generously be called 'snow'.
Is it a good sign when the scavengers start following you? This guy kept me company for about an hour.
The dry islands seemed to get further and further apart. And the snow certainly wasn't getting firmer under the midday sun. But I was "close" and I'd "come so far". I rode the "sunk cost fallacy" all the way to the end on this one.
But it had its rewards.
And the Causeway itself was nice and clear. Was fun to be here without any crowds - it's a very popular hike later in the summer.
I did run into a couple near the the Causeway - my only human encounter. They had hiked up from Stillwater Reservoir - the most commonly used route - and were equipped like it was mid-August. Credit it to them for making it up, but I think they had veered well into the upper tiers of 'Type 2' fun. We chatted for a bit and I offered some notes on their route back down, but they soon began their descent and I stopped for lunch on the far side of the Causeway.
360° from the Devil's Causeway. I think the exposure is a little over-hyped, but it is a really cool spot nonetheless and you should probably step carefully.
My return route...
As happy as I was with my preparation, I was wishing for some proper snowshoes with 3 miles of this in front of me. It was certainly a practice in identifying good routing, keeping a steady pace, and just doing what had to be done. But my legs were screaming by the time I finally started descending the plateau.Back on the Little Trappers Lake trail.
Always happy to come back to these fellas.
A pretty great day in the mountains and one I remember fondly as I sit reliving it through this trip report. I really should do more of these...
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