Winter Hike to The Crags

[kimbur96]

I headed out today for a day hike up The Crags. It's 6 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of gain. We had snow earlier in the week, and being as this trail is above 10,000ft it hadn't melted at all. I had brought my little dog, thinking the trail would be mostly clear. My mistake. Having driven over an hour to get here I made the decision to wrap my dog up in my down jacket and put him in my pack. The snow varied from packed to 8 inches of powder. It was pretty windy at the top but we did take some pictures and have a snack. The views from the top were amazing. I now know why this is such a popular summer hike.
The trail starts crossing this small creek.

heading up into the forest

about 1.5 miles in the trail splits. To the left our destination. To the right heads up the backside of Pikes Peak.

halfway to our destination

lucky for me several groups hd broke trail ahead of me.

cool rock outcropping on the way

then the trail breaks out into a meadow

back into the forest as we approach the summit

passed a couple snowshoeing and my little one poked his head out so we got a pic

reaching the summit the views are amazing. 3 frozen lakes in the distance

I'm not sure what peak that is on the distance. A 14er I'm sure. EDIT: It's Buffalo Peaks 13,326

more views form the top

The Crags for which this hike is named.

The backside of Pikes Peak

My little guy in my pack. The easy way to the top!

Having a little snack at the top. You see who has the down jacket and the cliff bar!!

Heading back down

Back through the meadow on our way out.

 

[Jackson]

Awesome winter hike! Looks like it was a wonderful day to be out. And those pictures of your dog made me laugh. Looks like a nice way to travel!

 

[Dave]

Someone's spoiled. Looks like a nice hike.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Very nice! Does your little guy not like the snow?

 

[Absarokanaut]

Spoiled indeed. Lucky Dog.

After your photo of the North Slope Resevoirs unless I'm mistken the white massif in the center of the photo is not a 14er; it is however one of my favorite places in Colorado, the Buffalo Peaks. the following photo is of the Collegiates/Sawatch Range.

Good for you getting out Madame Canine Trafficker. Horsethief is also wonderful. When I lived there I loved going and doing a hike like this and then driving Shelf Road or Phantom Canyon. Circumnavigating the Peak whether by vehicle or the Ring the Peak Trail is pretty awesome.

I envy you, you will be discovering things I came to love for some time. Keep your stick on the ice young lady.

 

[kimbur96]

Very nice! Does your little guy not like the snow?

He's not a real fan of it. He gets feet get cold real quick. I have tried 4 different kinds of boots and none stay on so far. When we got out of the car he tried to go potty and was chest deep instantly I knew he wouldn't be able to hike a couple hours in this. It is our first winter together so it's a learning process.

Spoiled indeed. Lucky Dog.

After your photo of the North Slope Resevoirs unless I'm mistken the white massif in the center of the photo is not a 14er; it is however one of my favorite places in Colorado, the Buffalo Peaks. the following photo is of the Collegiates/Sawatch Range.

Good for you getting out Madame Canine Trafficker. Horsethief is also wonderful. When I lived there I loved going and doing a hike like this and then driving Shelf Road or Phantom Canyon. Circumnavigating the Peak whether by vehicle or the Ring the Peak Trail is pretty awesome.

I envy you, you will be discovering things I came to love for some time. Keep your stick on the ice young lady.

Yes, you are correct!! I posted a pic in a CO group on FB asking what peak that was and they all agreed Buffalo Peaks. I haven't made it to Horsethief yet. It's funny you mention it though because I was deciding between the Crags and Pancake Rocks, which is, I believe on the same trail as Horsetheif. I haven't been to Shelf road or Phanton canyon...need to look these up. Are they doable in a Subaru? I passed the TH for Ring the Peak on the way to the Crags, a couple of guys were just heading out. I have hit part of the Ring the Peak Trail when doing a Section 16 hike. So may trials so little time, lol.
Any other recommendations for me to explore?

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

He's not a real fan of it. He gets feet get cold real quick. I have tried 4 different kinds of boots and none stay on so far. When we got out of the car he tried to go potty and was chest deep instantly I knew he wouldn't be able to hike a couple hours in this. It is our first winter together so it's a learning process.

There's a great book about a small dog (mini schnauzer) who was an incredible winter hiker. It's a true account and a great read. It's called Following Atticus by Tom Ryan.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061997110/?tag=backcountrypo-20

 

[Absarokanaut]

Generally barring colossal rain those roads are mantained albeit rarely.

Have you gotten yourself a Pike National Forest Map yet? If I were you I'd get it and the San Isabel to start. After that Rio Grande. I think the latter two are the best of Colorado. Roads on that map are usually pretty well rated, but anything can happen with weather and heavy use.