YOGA + Life® Magazines
  • Partner With Us
  • Subscribe
  • Events Directory
  • SHOP — What We Love
  • “The Practice”
  • HOME
  • FEATURED
    • Community + Culture
    • Wellness + Nutrition
    • Products
    • Profiles
    • Yoga + Fitness
    • Events
  • ALL CONTENT
    • Community + Culture
      • Art
      • Books
      • Community
      • Culture
      • Family
      • Fashion
      • Food + Drink
      • Nourish Me
      • Motivation
      • Music
      • Outdoors
      • Travel
    • Wellness + Nutrition
      • Self-Care
      • Nutrition
      • Psychology
      • Recipes
      • Therapy
      • Weight Loss
    • Products
      • Product Spotlights
      • Roundups
      • Try It On – Reviews
      • Try It Out – Reviews
    • Profiles
      • Business
      • Partner Profiles
      • People
      • Spotlight Cities
      • Students
      • Studios
      • Teachers
      • Seva Story
      • Sustainability Story
      • Storytelling
    • Yoga + Fitness
      • Asana
      • In the Practice
      • Meditation
      • Philosophy
      • Physiology
      • Sports
      • Workouts
    • Events
      • Festivals
      • Retreats
      • Training Spotlights
    • Inspiration From Y+L Partners
  • Y + L COMMUNITIES
    • COLORADO
    • MINNESOTA
    • NEW YORK
  • CONNECT
    • Order A Magazine
    • Partner With Us
    • Contribute
    • Contact Us
  • LIVE CLASSES
Featured Posts
  • ToughCutie hiking socks
    Try It On : ToughCutie Hiking Socks | Reviewed by Kristen Grace
    • 12 views
  • The Zen Den studio
    Partner Profile : The Zen Den
    • 20 views
  • Yoga for imposter syndrome: warrior one
    Finding Courage When You Feel Like an Imposter | By Amy Zellmer
    • 15 views
  • Partner With Us
  • Subscribe
  • Events Directory
  • SHOP — What We Love
  • “The Practice”
0 Followers
0 Likes
Partners
YOGA + Life® Magazines
Subscribe
  • HOME
  • FEATURED
    • Community + Culture
    • Wellness + Nutrition
    • Products
    • Profiles
    • Yoga + Fitness
    • Events
  • ALL CONTENT
    • Community + Culture
      • Art
      • Books
      • Community
      • Culture
      • Family
      • Fashion
      • Food + Drink
      • Nourish Me
      • Motivation
      • Music
      • Outdoors
      • Travel
    • Wellness + Nutrition
      • Self-Care
      • Nutrition
      • Psychology
      • Recipes
      • Therapy
      • Weight Loss
    • Products
      • Product Spotlights
      • Roundups
      • Try It On – Reviews
      • Try It Out – Reviews
    • Profiles
      • Business
      • Partner Profiles
      • People
      • Spotlight Cities
      • Students
      • Studios
      • Teachers
      • Seva Story
      • Sustainability Story
      • Storytelling
    • Yoga + Fitness
      • Asana
      • In the Practice
      • Meditation
      • Philosophy
      • Physiology
      • Sports
      • Workouts
    • Events
      • Festivals
      • Retreats
      • Training Spotlights
    • Inspiration From Y+L Partners
  • Y + L COMMUNITIES
    • COLORADO
    • MINNESOTA
    • NEW YORK
  • CONNECT
    • Order A Magazine
    • Partner With Us
    • Contribute
    • Contact Us
  • LIVE CLASSES
  • CO YOGA + Life
  • Movement
  • Outdoors
  • Travel

Colorado Summer Adventure : Blue Lakes Trail | By Lexi Reich

  • Lexi Reich | Managing Editor
  • 302 views
  • 2 minute read
Total
1
Shares
1
0
0

Resting in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, turquoise-blue water shimmers amongst wildflowers and waterfalls. Blue Lakes Trail is a challenging trek located near Ridgeway, Colorado, and led to an extraordinary campsite on a recent backpacking trip I took with friends this July.

Located at 12,000 feet in elevation, the upper lake is the peak of the three-lake hike (with the option for seasoned hikers to summit the Mt. Sneffels 14er). Lots of water and snack breaks are essential to make it to the upper lake — in combination with general high altitude, rapid elevation gain and a steep incline, this trail is not for the ill-prepared. But with the right attitude and hydration for the altitude, any hiker interested in experiencing the scenic views of the San Juan Mountains can successfully embark on this adventure.

Blue Lakes Trail is fit for a day hike if started early in the morning, but staying overnight allows for a whole different experience with the land. While the lower lake has a marked camp site, I pitched a tent a few miles upward toward the middle lake, which has a direct view of the lower vibrant-blue water. The peaceful seclusion and 360 mountain view inspired a connection to the wildernesses I’ve never felt so deeply.

Once the moon set, the Milky Way painted the night sky. The detail of the stars was so vivid it didn’t seem real. Pondering the phenomenon before my eyes, I wondered why city lights ever stripped the sky of its stage.

Refilling my water pack with glacier water (that I seeped through a mini filter) was a nourishing experience. The water was fresh from pollutants and tasted clear as it looked. Because of the warm summer temperatures, the water was cooling, but not freezing, making it perfect for a mini foot and hand rinse. The temperatures also made it perfect for a comfortable night under a sleeping bag, a few layers and adventure friends to share body warmth with.

Living a nomadic lifestyle for a few days on this backpacking trip was a needed glimpse out of urban reality. It strengthened the harmonic connection I believe exists between humans and the earth, and I am grateful for trailheads like this opening up nature in its purest form.

Be sure to check out this and other hikes waiting in southwest Colorado this summer, they should not be missed!

Photos by Alex Deems.

Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Lexi Reich | Managing Editor

After experiencing a yoga ashram nestled in the mountains of Colorado, Lexi became enthralled in the practice of yoga and meditation, and earned her yoga teacher training at the sacred space. Originally from Chicago, Lexi loves the holistic lifestyle she found in Colorado, and combining this passion with her writing is what makes her truly happy. Outside of her role as Managing Editor at Jaunt Media Collective, the publishing company behind YOGA + Life® and Spoke+Blossom, Lexi spends most of her time freelance writing and leading yoga classes. Besides this, you can find her hiking or daydreaming about traveling. Learn more at lexireich.com

Previous Article
  • CO YOGA + Life
  • Nutrition
  • Wellness + Nutrition

Grow Your Connection to Food | By Sarah Klein

  • CO YOGA + Life®
View Post
Next Article
  • CO YOGA + Life
  • Spotlight Cities
  • Travel

Colorado Field Guide | By Heather Mundt

  • Lexi Reich | Managing Editor
View Post
More from Y+L
  • Sedona Yoga Festival

    Sedona Yoga Festival Celebrates 10 Years | By Kristen Grace

    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
    View Post
  • Cranial Touch

    Sacred Sister Collective Retreats | By Kaitlin Emig

    • CO YOGA + Life®
    View Post
  • Loveology Retreat

    Dr. Ava Cadell Opens New “Loveology Retreat” in Maricopa, California

    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
    View Post
  • Beyul Retreat Yoga

    Beyul Retreat Center Near Aspen Aligns Humans with Nature | By Kaitlin Emig

    • CO YOGA + Life®
    View Post
  • Yogi in front of sunset

    Why Taking Retreat is Essential to Renewal of Spirit | By Kali Basman

    • CO YOGA + Life®
    View Post
  • The Vail Wine Classic Returns This August

    • Lexi Reich | Managing Editor
    View Post
  • An Evening with Elizabeth Gilbert : A Revolutionary Woman Is A Relaxed Woman | By Rachel Glowacki

    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
    View Post
  • Telluride Yoga Festival

    Telluride Yoga Festival Makes A Move To Mountain Village | By Kristen Grace

    • CO YOGA + Life®
    View Post
  • Elizabeth Gilbert is Coming to Denver on May 4 | By Kim Fuller

    • CO YOGA + Life®
    View Post
  • Oars

    On The River + In The Flow : Balancing Yoga, Meditation and a Thirst for Whitewater at a Women’s Wellbeing Retreat | By Lisa Blake

    • CO YOGA + Life®
    View Post
Archived Posts!
  • Visualization is the New Meditation | By Shenna Jean
    • 180
  • Downward Mule
    “Downward Mule” : A Yoga Picture Book For All Ages, Starring Sam the Mule | By Sandy Ferguson Fuller
    • 372
  • Sustainability Story : Vivobarefoot
    • 299
  • Balance
    The Secret to Living a Balanced Life | By Angela Gaffney
    • 655
  • Shoshoni Yoga Teacher Training | By Lexi Reich
    • 507
Instagram

Join the YOGA + Life® Newsletter!

Events, Product Reviews, Promotions and More!

about
YOGA + Life® - an online community and magazine.
Recent Articles
  • ToughCutie hiking socks
    Try It On : ToughCutie Hiking Socks | Reviewed by Kristen Grace
    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
  • The Zen Den studio
    Partner Profile : The Zen Den
    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
  • Yoga for imposter syndrome: warrior one
    Finding Courage When You Feel Like an Imposter | By Amy Zellmer
    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
  • parenting
    5 Ways Parenting Makes You Braver | By Julie M. Gentile
    • YOGA + Life® Magazines
  • About Us + Policies, Terms
  • Online Columnists
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
YOGA + Life® - All Rights Reserved

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

 

Loading Comments...