I needed an escape: a recess from the existential gloom that is living through this pandemic. Ty unfortunately could not join for this escapade, he has been hard at work helping to run time-sensitive COVID-19 diagnostic tests for CU Boulder through his lab research gig. Godspeed, Ty!

Lurking just beneath the jagged precipices of the Continental Divide, the isolated Lonesome Lake serves as the river source for the East Fork Homestake Creek. This stream—as well as some of its hydrological neighbors—feeds into the Homestake Reservoir, which impressively supplies drinking water to the distant city of Aurora, almost 100 miles away. Lonesome Lake felt like a perfect blog destination given the year’s isolating quarantine theme. 

The commencement of the hike was marked by abrupt uphill, which was made more tolerable by the refreshing morning air. Gosh, I thought, quarantine has got me out of shape – bummer!

The uphill relented just short of a mile in, where the trail crossed the creek. As I forded the creek, the sun had just begun to crest over the landscape above, scattering sunlight on the water’s surface and forest floor.

Finding egress out of the woods, the trail led me to an expansive view of a verdant meadow.

The path wound around the meadow’s perimeter, a flat relief from the morning’s ascent.

Vibrant wildflowers decorated the natural lush pasture. I hadn’t realized when studying a map of the area that the trail would end up passing alongside several of these meadows, which were strung through the valley like pearls on a necklace.

As I ascended through each meadow, the more abundant the wildflowers became.

Most notably, several of my favorite Castillejas had their cerise and fire-red plumage on full display. I was sad not to have a macro lens in tow. 

The trail steepened as it passed close by the creek once again.

The uphill led to a view of the continental divide, and ultimately, a craggy unnamed summit just off the divide that would dominate the background of the photos I would soon take of the lake.

Passing timberline, the wildflowers sprawled endlessly across the alpine, and I stood enamored with the scene as I reached Lonesome Lake’s shores.

The view at the end of the trail was pleasant, but I’ve slowly learned that merely reaching a lake is seldom sufficient for capturing its full glory. After quaffing some much-needed water, I bushwhacked around to the lake’s southern shores, where the previously mentioned unnamed point soared above the scenery.

To paint the full picture and capture the lake in its entirety, I had to ascend a couple hundred feet on the talus of the Continental Divide. Capturing the landscape was blissful, and I was exactly where I needed to be: in the wilderness, away from the stresses of the quarantined world.

That world, however, was calling back for me. I had a long trek home, and preparations to make for work the following day. I descended back to the lake, and began meandering down the trail.

Satisfied with the day’s exploits, I was reminded what little time we have left until heinous snow devours the ease of our adventures, and couldn’t help but preliminarily brainstorm some of our upcoming undertakings. Until then, be safe, be healthy, and stay adventurous!