In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Forest Lakes
07 August 2025
Gary's grandson Logan joined us today for a hike to Forest Lakes. We got to the trailhead at the East Portal and were hiking by 11:30.
The area at the trailhead has not changed much. Though, even today, a Thursday morning, the parking lot was more than half full.
It’s hot today! In Longmont, the high was projected to be close to 100. Even up here, at an elevation of just over 9,200 ft., it’s already quite warm.
Gary and Logan take off fast. I relish being able to hike at my own pace. I noted that many flowers have already gone by, and the leaves of the aspens are grey-green, not the bright green of summer.
It’s hot and by the time I get to the meadow and tum up toward Forest Lakes, I am a bit miserable, but the next section of the trail is partly in the shade, there is a breeze. But it is uphill!
I approach and cross the outlet from Arapahoe Lakes. Post knee surgery last year, this was my turn-around point. The spray from the water flowing over the rock is cool and refreshing and provides relief. The sound of the water crashing is soothing. The next section is a steep uphill and I am reminded of times past when I skied down it. At the top I find a nice rock and have lunch. It's 1 PM.
Onward again. I climb the section of trail that avoids the upcoming bog. At 1:30, we have a radio check-in. I am at a spot where the trail crosses a drainage and there are bits of an old log crossing.
Upward I go. The trail switches back but straight ahead is a beaten path and I wonder if it’s the way to Arapahoe Lakes, a past destination for day hikes and backpacks. A good place for a future outing.
I continue up the switchback. A couple is coming down, and she mentions falling 2 or 3 times already. I thank my lucky stars that I haven’t fallen on this outing!
Up and up I go. It is approaching 2:30. I spy a rock for sitting, and we do our check in. Just beyond the trail is an open area, flowered and very bog-like so I am sure the lake is not too much further.
I continue on. Indeed, in about 15 minutes, I am lakeside and see Gary and Logan on the far side. I find a good sitting spot and wait.
They are back in no time. After a quick snack, we head downhill and they are soon out of sight. We have a 4 PM check-in. They are at the bridge and I arrive there 20 minutes later. At our 5 PM check-in, I am well below the meadow and arrive back at the car at 5:30.
A good day out!
Hmmm: Rereading this, I have lots of info about how far and how fast but not much about the trail and environs and how much I enjoy being here.
In my mind, I see the trail, edging upward, the bridge at the creek, the water crashing over the rocks, the cooling spray of the mist in the sun, the flowers gone by, clouds peeking thru the trees. The first bog, just above the steep section beyond the bridge and the second below Forest Lake. The sharp turnoff down to Arapahoe Creek. Occasion people, more than one group backpackers and two groups of four returning from Forest Lake. The slight breeze rustling the leaves. The leaves of mountain geranium, not yet touched by frost. At the lake, some sections of water are calm, others disturbed. The ridge high above the lake with shrinking snow fields and I wonder if the lower, less steep is the one I skied down many years ago. And the feel of the treetops jutting upward in the sky, which I try and capture in a sketch.