This is an area I've been wanting to get into for some time and finally got the opportunity yesterday as our local ultra running group decided to give the Indian Ridge Loop a go. This a 24+ mile loop that would take us into the heart of the Spanish Peaks, also a grueller with over 7000' of ascent (all in the first 15 miles) and another gruelling 7000' + technical descent. The weather was going to cooperate, highs only into the low 70's- quite a bit of smoke haze though, but less so up high.
taking a break after our first big climb and hitting the Indian Ridge trail
hitting the ridge proper with a nice view of Gallatin Peak
making our way towards Beacon Point, some really tough climbing ahead
looking down into Grayling Lake (spotted some goats down below us as well)
looking into the North Fork of Hell Roaring drainage (Thompson Lake in the distance)
Thompson Lake- I took a 10 minute soak up to my waist here, ice cold, but very rejuvenating
one last big climb out of this cirque
Summit Lake, very unusual spot for a lake- right at a pass, gorgeous spot for sure- we met some very surprised backpackers just below the lake when they learned we were making this loop in a day
the drop down into the Spanish Ck drainage was brutal, very (very) steep with lots (lots) of rock, made even tougher with lots to gawk at!
Mirror Lake
headwaters of Spanish Ck
our route
by the numbers
24.2 miles, 7240' gain (and loss), 8.1 hours (with several nice breaks to soak in views and munch), calories 1300 (4 coconut rolled dates, 8 dried figs, Honey Stinger gel, Honey Stinger waffle, 1/2 Omni bar), 165 ounces of water (1.5+ liter bladder filled twice on the trail), views- too many to count!
taking a break after our first big climb and hitting the Indian Ridge trail
hitting the ridge proper with a nice view of Gallatin Peak
making our way towards Beacon Point, some really tough climbing ahead
looking down into Grayling Lake (spotted some goats down below us as well)
looking into the North Fork of Hell Roaring drainage (Thompson Lake in the distance)
Thompson Lake- I took a 10 minute soak up to my waist here, ice cold, but very rejuvenating
one last big climb out of this cirque
Summit Lake, very unusual spot for a lake- right at a pass, gorgeous spot for sure- we met some very surprised backpackers just below the lake when they learned we were making this loop in a day
the drop down into the Spanish Ck drainage was brutal, very (very) steep with lots (lots) of rock, made even tougher with lots to gawk at!
Mirror Lake
headwaters of Spanish Ck
our route
by the numbers
24.2 miles, 7240' gain (and loss), 8.1 hours (with several nice breaks to soak in views and munch), calories 1300 (4 coconut rolled dates, 8 dried figs, Honey Stinger gel, Honey Stinger waffle, 1/2 Omni bar), 165 ounces of water (1.5+ liter bladder filled twice on the trail), views- too many to count!
