Badass Mama's - Diamond Lake - Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO

Diamond Lake  — Via 4th of July Campground Trail head
Hikers: Chuck, Kristin, Liam, Kirsten, Magnolia  

Date: July 28, 2014

Hike Type: out and back

Mileage: 5.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2200'
Total time includes breaks: 3.5 hours 

Trail description: Extremely scenic for the entire hike, starts with a great view of Diamond Lake's huge cascading waterfall dropping approx. 250' down to middle boulder creek.  The wildflowers and dense forest continues until finally reaching the lake.  About midway before climbing back south towards Diamond Lake you will reach a very scenic waterfall (pics below).  The final climb to the lake is short and slightly steeper then the rest of the hike.

Interactive GPS track recording:

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 The hiking mamas! with kiddos in tow

 

This is not a photo editing effect.  All nature....the iris appears to be growing out of the daisy

 

Exposure: 3.2 sec Aperture: f/16 Focal Length: 12 mm ISO Speed: 200 

East Face Descent & Mountain Goat Herding - Mt Helen

Kristin and I took advantage of a nice April refresh and headed to the Ten Mile Range, looking to head up Mt Helen's east face.  The snow coverage was impressive and allowed for a long 2700' descent from the summit proper.  We shared the summit with about two dozen mountain goats who followed us up the NE ridge.

Mt. Helen ( broad face left of center)  as seen from across Goose Pasture Tarn, after our tour.  We soaked up the sun all tour right until we arrived back to the truck to enjoy our snow cold beers, then the clouds started to roll in.

Curious fellas, these guys seemed to be the bravest of the bunch.  As far as I could find there had only been one attack/death from a mountain goat.  Once they got about 6 feet from me I got out of my crouch and started walking towards them and they slowly started backing away.

Ahh spring skiing:)  Dont forget your skin wax

Sunscreen!

The afro hair anemone in full effect!  Sadly it was all chopped off today, just in time:)  The wifey was about to leave me:)

Looking west from Mt. Helen at Father Dyer Pk. and Crystal Pk.

Notice the herd

Almost too close for comfort

 Some good looking lines

Our days work

San Juan Chuting and Ouray Hanging

Grandma McQuade "Grammy D" met us up in Ouray, CO to hang out with Liam while K, Drew, Todd and I got to play in the San Juan sun:)  We set up shop in an amazing house in Ouray cooked gourmet meals, drank cold beers and soaked in hot springs after riding our brains out in the SJ's.  Sorry no pics of the Orvis springs (clothing optional) :)  we kept on our swim suits for Grandma and Liam's sake:)

Thanks Grammy D for playing with us in Ouray!  

Todd carefully negotiating the 3' wide ridge on the approach to "Grandma Couloir"

Mining leftovers :)

K taking the quick way up a steep headwall guarding our 2nd days couloir

The Medela tour pump in full effect

The crew enjoying an apres tour beer on day 3

Old mining town near Red Mountain Pass, Yankee Girl Mine

A celebratory high five'r after braving the narrow ridge.  Pops insisted in carrying moms splitty across the crux ridge:)

A warmup run off the ridges shoulder before heading backup to the couloir in the photos background

IRISH!!

Todd and K readying for the descent of "Grandma Couloir"

McQuad's in Ouray (Grammy D)

Todd crushing one of the trips many great lines


Til the next trip spring trip :) We owe you one Grammy D thanks for the great trip!

Kick'n Off Spring - West Elks, CO

Grandma Debbie and Liam hold down the fort back home.  Thanks Guys!!  While Anson jumps on a plane from AK to come hang with K, Drew, SB and I.  We spend a few glorious days among the west elks, welcoming spring to CO with perfect conditions under endless sun.  After each day we would drive down to these perfect hotsprings and soak our skied out legs for hours!  Perfect.  

Cant wait for next weekend...Liam's first roadtrip, heading down to the San Juan's to ride some more. Meeting Grandma Diane this time......CHEERS to amazing family!

This about sums it up!  What a perfect few days in the West Elks with some of my favorite peeps and some amazing conditions!

"C-Bass" aka Colleen Bad Ass

What a gem these hotsprings were! Treating us all well for several apres tour soaks.

Anson, comes down from Alaska to get some in CO

A little private summit pump session for our little Liam back at home with grandma.  Thanks grandma for the amazing weekend get away it was perfect!!

Sara Beth sporting her malfunctioning helmet.

Kristin back touring and shredding only a few days after the doc's give her the go ahead!  She's amazing its like she never missed a beat

For our return trip to the hotsprings we thought it would be more fun to change into our swim wear at the trailhead.....COLD:)

The ladies cheers to Liam's full-term birthday (March 7)

Liam breaks 6 1/2 pounds during his two month checkup!!  "Hey mom i weigh as much as you when you were born"