Emmaline Lake Trail

Today, I went up to the Emmaline Lake Trail. The goal in the end was to make it over to the Mummy Pass, one of Colorado's famous ranges just north of Rocky Mountain National Park unfortunately as I should have known by the time I made it up to the trail head, there was so much snow that one could not even begin to understand where the trail began. (Especially having not been there before). Having snowshoes doesn't really help when you can't find where the trail begins hehe!

Anyway, luckily by the time that I made it to the entrance to the Mummy's Pass Trail I was 2.5 miles in and there was another trail leading to Emmaline Lake. The trail on the way is slightly depressing, seeing the devistating effects of the Colorado pine beetle on the aspen and pine gives the impression of a post-apocalyptic stage. However, in every sight of despair, there is always a glimmer of hope. If you look at the picture, one can see the older beetle eaten trees falling down dead and degrading. But just below, the new pines and aspens are beginning to grow. And with such the circle of life continues.

Farther up the trail past the dead aspen you get to a place where the pine beetle have not yet reached and the trail turns into a wooded alpine adventure. Eventually the trail became less traveled and snowshoes were a must. Finally about 5 miles in or so I reached Emmaline Lake at the base of the Mummy Range.

The view from was arguably one of the more beautiful places that I have been in the Rockies so far. With the mountains surrounding you, there's almost the feeling that your stuck in a huge cereal bowl, except that the borders are jagged and different. I tried going a little farther after here, but the trails didn't seem to lead anywhere (actually I know that they did, its just that with the huge snow accumulations its hard to decipher where the trail goes.) I'll be sure to visit here again when the snow melts a little so I can show ya the hike up to the Mummy Pass

Happy Trails!

Jon

If you want to get here.

From Fort Collins: Take 287 to M14 (up by Laporte) follow M14 West about 26 miles and make a left over the river at Pengree Park Road. Follow the dirt road over the pass about 16 miles to the Tom Bennet Campground. Follow the campground road past the main building until you get to the trailhead for Emmaline Lake.