Music Pass Trail---Upper Sand Creek Lake and Marble Mountain Pass, out and back. Elevation 12,800 Mileage--8.4 Miles out and back to Upper Sand Creek Lake, We add about 4.5 total miles to see the Marble Mountain Saddle Total Mileage: 13 miles
I wanted to do a hike out in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the beautifully rugged mountain chain that is just far enough from the Denver peeps to make this a Colorado Springs goldmine
:) I wanted to avoid the Humboldt/Crestone Needle fourteener rush of this time of year...the time of year where most hikers panic that winter is coming. These clear beautiful peaks will soon be packed with snow.
Luckily, I had some insider information about the beauty of Music Pass.
How to get there: Start at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.8 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Grape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead. My hiking companion was a male who was fearless on the 4wheel drive road. The 2.8 miles was no problem for him. I pray that I would have the courage and bravery with my car but this four wheel drive road may deter some of you like it would me. Another option is to hike the 2.8 miles but it would add to your journey and it is not special. There were about a half a dozen dispersed camping spots along the way.
I wanted to do a hike out in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the beautifully rugged mountain chain that is just far enough from the Denver peeps to make this a Colorado Springs goldmine
:) I wanted to avoid the Humboldt/Crestone Needle fourteener rush of this time of year...the time of year where most hikers panic that winter is coming. These clear beautiful peaks will soon be packed with snow.Luckily, I had some insider information about the beauty of Music Pass.
How to get there: Start at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.8 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Grape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead. My hiking companion was a male who was fearless on the 4wheel drive road. The 2.8 miles was no problem for him. I pray that I would have the courage and bravery with my car but this four wheel drive road may deter some of you like it would me. Another option is to hike the 2.8 miles but it would add to your journey and it is not special. There were about a half a dozen dispersed camping spots along the way.
Just FYI: To hike to upper and lower lake, the trail is CLEARLY marked. As you hike to the upper lake, the trail has a sign that indicates a split to Cottonwood Pass, which is the hike to the saddle between Milwuakee and Marble Peak. Pass." The trail clear. The cairns are incredibly placed. You can only know this by word of mouth, not mentioned on the map.
The Good: Gorgeous area, Pristine Lakes teaming with Mountain Goat, Elk and other wildlife. No people. Who could ask for anything more?
The Bad: The 4W drive road to the trail feels risky. We hiked to the upper lake which was beautiful, but we didn't have time for the lower lake. Everyone mentioned to us how much more beautiful the lower lake was on our way back. I guess it is a reason to go back:)
The Beautiful: Once you summit the saddle, clear views of Humboldt and the Crestone Needle is a feast for the eyes.
The Good: Gorgeous area, Pristine Lakes teaming with Mountain Goat, Elk and other wildlife. No people. Who could ask for anything more?
The Bad: The 4W drive road to the trail feels risky. We hiked to the upper lake which was beautiful, but we didn't have time for the lower lake. Everyone mentioned to us how much more beautiful the lower lake was on our way back. I guess it is a reason to go back
:)The Beautiful: Once you summit the saddle, clear views of Humboldt and the Crestone Needle is a feast for the eyes.
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| A bit of a rough road to get to the trailhead |
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